What is a Residential Retrofit and do I need it?

As a property owner you may have heard about Retrofitting your dwelling for increasing energy performance. Or even the code PAS2035, due to changes coming into effect from July 2021. 

What does this all mean?

The term retrofit is used when adding something to a property that wasn’t included, or maybe even necessary, when it was built. In this instance retrofitting relates to improving the energy efficiency of your property. This is especially relevant to older properties that were constructed using materials and methods without a full consideration or awareness of energy saving processes that we have today. Common improvements include updating ventilation, heating systems and insulation.

So what is PAS2035?

PAS2035 is the recently introduced UK standard guidelines for the retrofit process. These came about following the 2015 government commissioned ‘Each Home Counts’ review, which set about identifying issues, primarily with older buildings, and creating a better process for introducing energy efficient measures to these properties. 

PAS2035 adopts an approach which focuses on the whole building, so the environment, occupancy and suitability of measures are all included in the process to deliver high quality retrofit work and eliminate quick-fix or inappropriate measures being completed. The overall goal being that well trained professionals manage the retrofit process from inspection right through to completion of works.

This framework identifies clear objectives and timeframes for the professionals who are designing and installing your improvement measures, managed by a Retrofit Coordinator, with PAS2030 being the UK standards that all teams involved in the project must adhere to.

The PAS2035 method can be used for residential retrofit work either independently by the property owner or, as of July 2021, PAS2035 is now the only process that can be used if you wish your property to be included in any of the various government schemes which operate that provide funding and support. 

However, not all projects are required to go through the PAS2035 process, so it is essential that you use an accredited assessor who can give you professional, reliable guidance and advice from the outset.

Is this covered in my Energy Performance Certificate?

No, your Energy Performance certificate, or EPC, will provide a rating of A-G for the energy efficiency of a property and will make some recommendations for some improvement

EPCs are a legal requirement for tenanted properties or if you are marketing your property for sale or letting.

However, the Retrofit Assessment for the PAS2035 process is a much more detailed and lengthy report that uses a ‘whole home’ approach and is used for properties that would require more complex works to bring the property up to required energy efficiency standards. 

What does the Retrofit Assessment involve?

Prior to any works being undertaken, you will need a full Retrofit Assessment by a qualified Retrofit Assessor. In depth training is given to Retrofit Assessors to ensure they have the relevant knowledge and expertise to deliver the detailed reports required and so you can have confidence in all parts of the process.  

During this assessment 3 key documents are produced:

An Energy Report is created based on simulations that model your properties current energy usage and potential. 

In addition to this, a Condition Report is also produced, although note this is not a full structural survey. The Condition Report investigates the fabric of the building and identifies any defects that could impact future energy performance of the building, such as signs of damp and potential causes for this.

The third element is the Occupancy Evaluation, which focuses on the current use of the property, reviewing previous energy bills and daily patterns of use. 

Essentially this process is a ‘whole building’ approach to energy efficiency and renewable energy measures, rather than taking any single factor in isolation.

What kind of works may be needed?

This is of course property specific, but with older properties the fabric of the building is often a large factor. For example, how air tight is the building, or resistant to moisture or water penetration would be key. Improvements in insulation are also often a requirement, alongside introducing meter systems to measure energy usage. 

These are of course just some examples, but the overall goal remains the same for each dwelling: to provide appropriate recommendations and implementation for works specific to each property.

What happens next?

Following completion of the assessments, a comprehensive report is created that includes the Energy Report, Occupancy Evaluation and Condition Report. This will be accompanied by detailed information and recommendations for the next stages of the process.

At this point your Retrofit Coordinators will effectively act as a project manager overseeing the process from start to finish, having liaised with the Retrofit Assessor and having reviewed all the data and findings from their reports.

It is the Retrofit Coordinators responsibility to protect both the client’s and the public’s interest, and manage all projects to ensure they are safe, and carried out to the highest quality by well trained and professional teams.

It is the Retrofit Coordinator that ultimately will sign off that the completion of the project and confirm that it fully complies with PAS2035.

From here the process of risk assessment, prioritising, designing and creating a timeline for the necessary improvements can begin. This can be over a sustained period of time, in some cases up to 30 years to complete all recommended works. The emphasis of this process is to complete all upgrades thoroughly and to a high standard to future proof the energy efficiency of your property, with no corners cut or details overlooked.

The next stage will be to complete all necessary installation and testing at the dwelling. Once this has taken place the completed project is handed over to the property owner for ongoing monitoring and feedback on any reported snagging. 

Completion of the process will mean you now have a greener, more energy efficient home, which is both cost effective and beneficial for the environment we live in.

If you want to find trusted, local Retrofit professionals to complete your PAS2035 assessment, then simply get in touch with the team at MyConstructor. They provide you with access to a nationwide network of fully qualified independent assessors. View their fixed price quotes, read customer reviews and book online for the date and time that suits you!

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