What is retrofit?

Retrofitting is a comprehensive approach to modernising older buildings, making them healthier and more comfortable whilst significantly improving energy efficiency. Whether you own a Victorian Terrace in Norwich, Norfolk, or a Seafront property on the Suffolk coast, retrofitting can transform your living or working environment.

When collaborating with an architectural design practice specialised in Retrofitting, property owners can convert their spaces into warmer, healthier environments. These strategic upgrades help maintain comfortable temperatures throughout the year, enhance indoor air quality, and create fresher, cosier spaces whilst reducing energy costs and minimising environmental impact.

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Why Retrofit?

Retrofitting plays a crucial role in reducing energy consumption and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Older buildings, which typically have poor energy efficiency, consume substantial amounts of energy for heating and cooling. Through retrofitting, we can significantly reduce energy waste in these buildings, making them more environmentally friendly and cost-effective to maintain.

The UK government has set ambitious targets to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Retrofitting existing buildings is a vital component of this strategy, as approximately 80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 have already been built. By improving these structures now, we can make substantial progress towards national climate goals.

How Does It Work?

A successful retrofit typically involves multiple coordinated interventions, such as thoroughly insulating walls, roofs, and floors, and upgrading windows and doors to prevent heat loss. Many projects also incorporate renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to increase the building's self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Even simple modifications, such as improving ventilation systems, can profoundly impact the building's air quality and occupant comfort. Modern retrofitting techniques often employ a 'fabric first' approach, focusing on optimising the building envelope before addressing heating systems and renewable energy sources.

Professional retrofitters begin with a thorough assessment of the property, identifying specific areas of heat loss and inefficiency. They then develop a bespoke retrofit plan that addresses the unique characteristics and challenges of your property, ensuring that interventions work harmoniously together to maximise benefits.

Benefits of Retrofit

• Enhanced Comfort: Superior insulation and heating systems create more comfortable indoor environments with consistent temperatures and fewer draughts.

• Increased Property Value: More efficient and comfortable buildings typically command higher market values and attract greater interest from potential buyers or tenants.

• Substantial Energy Savings: Retrofitted buildings consume significantly less energy, resulting in considerable reductions in energy bills, often by 50% or more.

• Reduced Environmental Impact: Retrofitting helps minimise carbon emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment and supporting global efforts to mitigate climate change.

• Improved Health: Better ventilation and consistent temperatures can reduce issues related to damp and mould, creating healthier living conditions for occupants.

• Heritage Preservation: Sensitive retrofitting enables the preservation of historically significant buildings while making them suitable for modern living standards.

Key Points

• Whole House Plan: For optimal results, retrofitting should adopt a holistic approach, examining the entire building rather than individual components. This comprehensive strategy ensures all systems function together efficiently.

• Energy Efficiency Standards: Retrofitting can achieve exceptional standards, such as the Passivhaus standard, creating highly efficient and sustainable buildings that minimise energy requirements.

• Improve EPC Rating: Enhancing energy performance not only reduces utility bills but can also improve your building's EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating, increasing its market value and appeal to potential buyers or tenants.

• Government Incentives: Various grants and incentives may be available to help offset the costs of retrofitting, making it more financially accessible for property owners.

• Long-term Investment: Whilst retrofitting requires initial investment, the long-term savings on energy bills and increased property value typically provide excellent returns over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does retrofitting cost?

The cost of retrofitting varies widely depending on the size of your property, its current condition, and the extent of work required. A basic retrofit might cost between £10,000 and £25,000, whilst a comprehensive deep retrofit could range from £40,000 to £90,000 or more. However, these costs should be viewed as an investment that will deliver returns through energy savings and increased property value.

How long does a retrofit project take?

Will I need to move out during the retrofitting process?

What return on investment can I expect?

Is planning permission required for retrofitting?

How do I maintain my retrofitted home?

Can all buildings be retrofitted?

Ready to transform your property?

Start Your Retrofit Journey by scheduling a consultation with us and exploring the retrofit solutions that suit your building and your goals.

Glossary of Retrofit Terms

Air Permeability - A measure of how airtight a building is, typically expressed in m³/(h·m²) at 50 Pascals pressure difference. Lower values indicate a more airtight building.

Airtightness - The measure of how well a building prevents uncontrolled air leakage through its fabric. Critical for energy efficiency and preventing moisture problems.

Breathable Materials - Building materials that allow water vapour to pass through them, helping to regulate moisture and prevent condensation issues in traditionally constructed buildings.

Cold Bridge/Thermal Bridge - An area of a building where heat can easily transfer through the building envelope due to a break in insulation or a more conductive material, leading to heat loss and potential condensation problems.

Deep Retrofit - A comprehensive whole-house approach to retrofitting that aims to achieve very high energy performance standards, typically reducing energy consumption by 75% or more.

Draught-proofing - The process of sealing unwanted gaps in a building to prevent cold air infiltration and heat loss.

EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) - A rating scheme that benchmarks the energy efficiency of a property on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Legally required when selling or renting a property in the UK.

External Wall Insulation (EWI) - Insulation applied to the outside of a building's walls, covered with render or cladding. Particularly useful for solid-walled properties.

Fabric First - An approach that prioritises improvements to the building envelope (walls, floors, roof) before considering heating systems or renewable technologies.

Heat Pump - A device that transfers heat from one place to another using electricity, commonly used as an energy-efficient alternative to traditional heating systems. Types include air source, ground source, and water source heat pumps.

Internal Wall Insulation (IWI) - Insulation applied to the inside surfaces of external walls, useful when external appearance must be preserved but reducing internal floor space.

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) - A system that provides fresh air while recovering heat from extracted stale air, maintaining good indoor air quality without significant heat loss.

Passivhaus/Passive House - A rigorous energy efficiency standard that results in buildings that require minimal energy for heating or cooling, typically requiring around 90% less energy than conventional buildings.

PAS 2035 - A specification for retrofitting dwellings that provides a framework for identifying, designing, installing and evaluating energy efficiency measures in UK homes.

Retrofit Coordinator - A qualified professional who oversees retrofit projects, ensuring that work is properly specified, risk-managed and implemented according to PAS 2035 standards.

SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) - The methodology used by the UK government to assess and compare the energy performance of dwellings.

Solar Gain - Heat obtained from the sun entering through windows and glass doors, which can be beneficial in winter but may cause overheating in summer.

Thermal Comfort - A state of mind that expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment, affected by air temperature, radiant temperature, humidity and air movement.

Thermal Mass - The ability of a material to absorb, store and release heat. High thermal mass materials like brick and concrete can help regulate internal temperatures.

U-value - A measure of how easily heat can pass through a building element such as a wall, floor or roof. Lower U-values indicate better insulation performance, measured in W/m²K.

Vapour Barrier/Membrane - A material that restricts the passage of moisture through building elements, helping to prevent condensation within the building fabric.

Ventilation Strategy - A planned approach to ensuring adequate air exchange in a building, critical in airtight retrofitted properties to maintain indoor air quality and prevent moisture buildup.

Whole House Retrofit Plan - A comprehensive, long-term strategy for improving a property's energy performance, addressing the building as an integrated system rather than focusing on individual measures.

Zero Carbon/Net Zero - A building that has net zero carbon emissions, achieved through a combination of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy generation.