Sustainability and Retrofit

Low energy retrofit is an opportunity to extend the life of buildings, reduce carbon emissions and future proof the UK’s housing stock for many years to come.

The Silver Difference

Reducing carbon emissions from existing homes represents one of the biggest challenges facing the UK as we transition to achieve net zero by 2050.

Local authorities and Registered Provider landlords are now tasked with overseeing upgrades and retrofitting of existing housing stock at scale with targets set by government to reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035.

Although any home can benefit from retrofitting, older homes usually have more problems, particularly with solid wall construction. Common issues include high energy consumption, damp, condensation, draughts and lack of insulation that makes them harder to heat efficiently.

Following the introduction of the PAS 2035 standards, we have expanded the technical capability within our experienced Building Surveying team and have PAS2035 accredited Retrofit Coordinators and Assessors, who are registered with the Elmhurst TrustMark.

Our Retrofit experts work closely with local authority and registered providers, designers, installers and stakeholders, providing guidance through the range of processes to ensure compliance with PAS2035 standards for residential properties, and assisting with application for SHDF grant funding.

We believe this is part of the collective solution to retrofit homes using energy efficient measures, both passive and active, that include insulation and renewable energy, to reduce fuel poverty, improve the wellbeing of households and contribute to reducing our carbon footprint.

We are conscious that, through our working practices, we utilise carbon and generate waste. It is our firm commitment to keep both to an absolute minimum. For this reason, we have an Environmental Management System certified to ISO 14001:2015 standards and that is subject to external audit at least annually.

What we do:

PAS 2035 Retrofit Coordinator – oversight for a range of processes; from assessing sites for domestic refurbishment to helping develop retrofit plans, as well as managing and monitoring other technical and project-related requirements introduced by the new PAS 2035 framework.
PAS 2035 Assessor –undertakes surveys of residential properties and prepares a report in-line with a Retrofit Coordinator’s requirements which includes a full EPC, ventilation and occupancy assessment and condition survey.
Our Cost Consultancy team can provide accurate feasibility appraisals / cost estimates of proposed retrofit measures, based on our extensive database of costs.
We can carry out viability reports to assess the benefits of retrofitting existing properties versus the re-development and provision of new homes on the same site. We consider and cost all elements, including structural condition, planning implications, resident decanting, programme implications, Building Regulation compliance and fire safety aspects.