Why Retrofit?

What is Retrofit & How Can It help you?

Retrofitting is simply adding something to your property that wasn't included, or maybe even needed, at the time your property was built.

Retrofitting generally refers to improvements that help older properties to improve their Energy Efficiency.

This can be achieved by implementing a number of measures and could include;

Replacing a heating system.
Improving the ventilation and air quality.
Utilising renewable technologies.
Improving insulation.
All of the above.

The aim of a Retrofit Assessment is to have a qualified and experienced Retrofit Assessor to help you decide what the right choices are for your property to make it more Energy Efficient, have a higher EPC, be cheaper to run and ultimately more sustainable, benefitting the environment we live in.

Why use a Retrofit Assessor?

Retrofit is a journey – not an event. It’s rare that all the applicable energy saving measures are carried out on a property at once. Its more common that these happen over time, for instance as you improve it.

A retrofit assessor will help you come up with the map for that journey – the Retrofit Plan. This should be done by following the PAS2035 standard and they have all the work carried out by installers qualified to the PAS 2030 standard. If you’re getting grants to help you with the cost of retrofit, the work must be done to PAS2035/2030 to qualify. If you’re not getting grants, PAS2035/2030 provide the best possible standard to work to – making the project smooth and risk-free.

Key features Of A Retrofit Assessment

The Retrofit Assessment consists of three key reports that create an overview of the whole property, its current usage and potential.

Energy Report

Firstly, the Retrofit Assessor will use a survey and computer programme called RdSAP to model the energy use of the property and then provide an Energy Report.

The Energy Report of the Retrofit Assessment is NOT an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

An Energy Performance Certificate is a legal requirement and rates the energy efficiency of the property between A-G.

The Retrofit Assessment is a much more detailed process and is largely for older properties that need more complex work to bring them to a better standard of energy performance.

Condition Survey

As well as the Energy Report, the assessor will also carry out a Condition Survey (which is not a full structural survey) that takes a look for any problems that could possibly affect energy efficiency improvements. These problems should be fixed before any further improvements are made.

For instance, if there were indications of damp being present, finding the cause and fixing this would be the first recommendation.

Occupancy Assessment

The final step of the retrofit assessment is the Occupancy Assessment. The retrofit assessor will look at your energy bills over the previous year and any patterns of use for hot water and heating etc.

At the end of the survey, you will be presented a comprehensive report that will also include the Energy Report, Occupancy Assessment and Condition Report.

This will also be accompanied by the information you will require to make an informed decision on the steps you could to take to make your home more energy efficient, saving money and emissions.

Why is it so complex?

Retrofitting is a careful balance of many factors and how they affect a building's overall performance. If retrofit isn’t done properly, changing one area of a building might cause a problem in another area, although this often isn't obvious until much later.

Some things a retrofit assessor watches for:

Making a building more airtight often saves energy – but condensation may get worse when buildings are made more airtight – causing damp and mould – getting the ventilation right stops this.
Insulating a roof without ensuring its ventilated properly can cause the wood structure to rot.
Internal wall insulation can eliminate the advantages of thermal mass.
Natural heat from the sun (even in winter) can be lost if external wall insulation is used.
Badly installed cavity wall insulation may lead to cold spots, leading to difficult-to-resolve damp issues.
Insulation can hide structural issues, making diagnosis and correction more challenging.
The most common retrofit challenges are under-ventilation, condensation, air leakage, mould concerns, rising damp, condensation inside the walls, and overheating – all of which need to be considered before works start!

Often different trades will recommend their own solutions – a retrofit assessment allows you to make sensible choices.

What are some of the most common types of retrofits measures?

Installing new windows: This is one of the most popular retrofit measures, as they can make a big difference in the energy efficiency of a property. New windows can also help to reduce noise pollution and improve the overall appearance of a building.
Upgrading the insulation: This is another popular type of retrofit measure, as it can help to keep a building warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Upgrading the insulation can also help to reduce energy bills.
Installing new doors: Like new windows, new doors can help to improve a property’s energy efficiency and appearance. They can also provide a degree of security that older doors might not.
Upgrading the heating and cooling system: This type of retrofit assessment is often done in conjunction with other upgrades, such as new windows and insulation. A more efficient heating system can help to reduce energy bills and make a property more comfortable to live in.
Adding solar panels: Solar panels are a great way to reduce a property’s carbon footprint and make it more energy-efficient. They can also increase the value of a property.

Example Pricing

1-2 Bed £300+VAT

3-4 Bed £500+VAT

5-6 Bed £700+VAT