The Earth is warming up due to the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, through emissions caused by human activity. These gasses (largely CO2) trap heat in the atmosphere working like a greenhouse over the Earth. 

The aim is to minimise the heat increase to 1.5oC by 2050 to help the Earth Stabilise.  To do this we need to reduce emissions which are released into the atmosphere. The UK Government’s ambition is to reduce emissions with the ultimate target of ‘net zero’. 

Deforestation is the act of removing most, or all, of the trees from forests.  This causes a release of carbon dioxide (CO2), plus there are less trees to continue absorbing the CO2. 

Climate change already has a growing impact on economies, livelihoods and the health and well-being of people.  Buildings account for 23-36% of the energy -related greenhouse gas emissions. 17% of emissions is due to heating homes.  Reducing the energy consumption and improving the energy efficiency of buildings is a key component of the governments’ plans to achieve their climate goals.  

Typical breakdown in energy consumption in the home: 

The extensive works needed to implement retrofit is expected to create high demand for skilled workers and generate a large amount of new jobs. 

High energy prices and low performing homes raise living costs and cut into tight household budgets.

Low performing homes are not good at retaining heat, and need more energy to make they warm enough.  For people living in these homes, the amount, they spend to heat their home, means that their remaining income is below the official poverty line, and they are considered as being in ‘Fuel Poverty’.  Fuel poverty can impact on peoples health because this is likely to result in people living in cold, damp homes, created by turning their heating down below a level that helps control condensation. 

Retaining and reducing demand for heat is a key focus of retrofit projects.  

Cold living accommodation increases health care costs and the annual NHS costs in the UK attributed to housing are estimated at £1.4 billion for the first year treatment. Cold homes contribute at least £145 million of those costs. “Cold homes are linked to a wide range of health issues, from mental health to asthma and respiratory issues, trips and falls”. 

67% of children from families in fuel poverty haven’t had a holiday in the past year.  They were more likely to feel unsafe and fail to attend school. This is all because the family can afford to only part heat their home (most used and therefore noisiest) rooms, so there is no quiet place to do their homework. This often impacts on a child’s educational attainment and work opportunities in later life. 

Retrofitting homes can help us reduce fuel poverty, and improve people’s health and wellbeing.    

Smart Homes – Digital sensors make it possible to monitor the conditions and energy usage of buildings in real time.  This gives new levels of control over home environments and energy bills.  

Sustainable materials – A mix of new and traditional materials is improving sustainability across a buildings life cycle.   

Nature based solutions – Green walls and roofs can reduce energy consumption and create healthier living environments.  

Rockwool insulation laid most typically between the joists in the loft space, forming a thermal barrier keeping the warm air from the home in, and the cooler air from outside of the property, out. Existing insulation will be either entirely replaced, or topped up, to a depth of 300mm. 

Insulating material installed within the cavity formed between the inner and outer walls of the home. It traps the warm air in, reducing heat loss, energy consumption and keeps the home warmer for longer. Holes are typically drilled externally, with insulation blown in to form a complete barrier. 

A system, in varying forms, applied to the exterior of the property to create a thermally insulated barrier. Commonly rendered over, these also form a protective and decorative finish. 

An additional layer of insulation applied internally. Commonly involves installing specialist insulation boards to the external walls or forming secondary stud walls, with the cavity formed then insulated such as mineral wool fibre. 

Insulation applied to flat roofs, typically of entrances or extensions. It serves to keep the area warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. A surveyor will determine if this is best achieved as a ‘warm roof’ or ‘cold roof’, affecting where the insulation is applied and the work required. 

A heat pump, installed externally, that absorbs the heat and provides it as space heating inside the property using the same vapour-compression method as a typical, domestic refrigerator. Commonly installed in areas off the gas network, though not exclusively. 

Solar Photovoltaics (PV) are a collection of panels, formed as an array, typically to the property’s roof, converting the light generated by the sun into electricity that is directly consumed by the home it is connected to. These systems are installed without battery storage, providing electricity to supplement what a resident uses and pays for from the grid for free, during hours of daylight – but not once the sun goes down. 

Properties lose heat through all aspects of the building fabric – the roof, the floors and the openings (the windows and doors). Targeted draughtproofing aims to reduce the loses in specific areas by relatively simple measures, such as draught excluders at the base of external doors, preventing cold air entering and warm air escaping. 

Domestic properties generate a lot of moisture, primarily from bathing/showering and cooking. Without adequate ventilation, removing the moisture and vapour, the risk of damp and mould forming increases. Mechanical ventilation measures primarily concern the installation of extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms – and are supported by windows that open adequately and feature trickle vents. 

Double glazed windows are formed from two panes of glass, separated by a spacer bar that creates an air gap, filled with an insulating gap. These greatly improve the thermal insulation of the property, retaining heat whilst preventing external cold air from entering. 

Energy-saving lamps that replace traditional lightbulbs. These are commonly traditionally bulb-shaped LED (Light Emitting Diodes) in living rooms and bedrooms, sealed units in kitchens and bathrooms (or any other areas where a high amount of moisture may be produced). 

Gas-fired boilers, or Air Source Heat Pumps, are installed with the ability to regulate the temperature of the radiators individually in each room at source (using TRVs – Thermostatic Radiator Valves or other controls) – supplemented by a portable unit to monitor and adjust and programme the overall temperature throughout the property.