What is a Domestic Retrofit?
The process of making changes to an existing building (s) to improve the energy performance in so doing reduce carbon emissions. The changes would also provide the benefit of internal comfort and a healthier home with lower fuel bills. Retrofitting typically involves a significant improvement of the building fabric i.e., insulating walls, roofs, floors, and replacement of windows as well as the introduction of new improved ventilation design systems, heating and hot water systems, and addition of renewables such as Solar & Heat pumps.
“Retrofitting is multi-faceted and can include insulating roofs, walls, and floors; replacement windows; improved ventilation design; airtightness works and more efficient heating and hot water systems. Renewables are also often installed during retrofit works.”
Why Retrofit Homes?
- Improving the sustainability of the building and environment.
- The reduced energy cost for the occupier.
- Improve the internal comfort for the occupier.
- Reduction of carbon emission as per govt target of Net zero by 2050.
There are many more reasons, however. Mostly inappropriate or incompetent installations in previous schemes or just general bad workmanship.
- Glasgow Four tonnes of EWI fell off the top of a residential tower.
- Edinburgh All the EWI fell off a gable wall of Oxgangs School
- Preston Over 300 homes were made uninhabitable by EWI.
- Grenfell Tower 71 dead after fire spread via insulated external cladding.
- Numerous other CWI and EWI failure
Retrofit process
PAS2035 standards introduce and set the skills for these new roles:
Retrofit Advisor
A Retrofit Advisor is a customer-facing role. They can give independent advice to homeowners or residents, to help them understand retrofit and what the right options are for them and their homes. Their job is mainly about communication and keeping the resident engaged and on board, ensuring that disruption is minimised as much as possible. They will work closely with the Retrofit Coordinator, often being their eyes and ears on the ground.
Retrofit Assessor
provides an assessment report that covers the EPC (RdSAP), Condition, Ventilation, and Occupancy survey in addition depending of the age of the property one may be required to complete a Significance Survey for Traditional and Older buildings. It is important to note that an energy assessor should seek to provide a householder or landlord with improvement recommendations that are aligned with the long-term needs of the building and of its general occupancy.
Retrofit Co-ordinator
is a project manager that ensures all elements of domestic retrofit are properly managed and coordinated. This includes making sure that a retrofit plan is designed and implemented. In summary, a coordinator formulates staged or phased improvements to a dwelling by identifying the improvements that are needed and an appropriate order for their implementation and highlighting critical interactions between them.