The Retrofit for the Future report says that the retrofit industry in the UK can deliver deep carbon reductions with existing technologies and practices without compromising the comfort of residents.
The report, based upon analysis of 100 homes across the UK, shows a correlation between air-tightness and lower CO2 emissions. It also identifies practical considerations for more effective retrofitting in the future.
The Technology Strategy Board’s report analyses both the practical experience of the participants in the Retrofit for the Future programme and monitored data from the retrofitted properties. The project was designed to address the challenge laid down by the government’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. By analysing data from more than a third of the properties, the report identifies the CO2 emission reductions achieved by each project initiative. Using this data, it sets out the common challenges for the projects and solutions to overcoming these. Project planning, strong site management, understanding the supply chain and liaising with residents are identified as key to project success.
Data from the report is available at www.retrofitanalysis.org to help designers and developers select ways to reduce carbon/energy levels in building projects.
Ian Meikle, the Technology Strategy Board’s head of low impact buildings, said: “Retrofit for the Future has resulted in significant innovation, which is why we have developed this report and made the full data available to the public. It demonstrates that the comfort of occupants can be improved at the same time as energy bills are reduced. Business-led innovation has the potential to transform the low-carbon retrofit market in the UK, readying the sector for roll-out of the energy company obligation (ECO) and opening up the market around the Green Deal.”
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