What is Retrofit?

Retrofit involves upgrading or modifying an existing structure or system with new technology or components to make them more energy-efficient, modern, and compliant with current regulations, without having to tear down and replace the existing structure. It enhances buildings by improving their energy efficiency, sustainability, and functionality. Many older buildings were built without modern energy-efficient designs or materials. Things like drafty windows, poor insulation, and outdated heating/cooling systems can lead to higher energy use and retrofitting can help fix these issues, lowering their energy consumption and reducing their carbon footprint.

However, retrofit isn’t a case of ‘one size fits all’, each building presents its own constraints and challenges, making it important to take a strategic approach in identifying the changes that will be most effective and add value to your commercial and residential properties.

Benefits of Retrofit

Retrofitting is a key strategy when it comes to tackling carbon emissions and making a real difference. It’s not only cost-effective and practical, but it’s also one of the most impactful ways we can decarbonise the built environment right now. A well-planned retrofit focuses on upgrading smartly, not just demolishing and rebuilding. The goal is to improve energy performance, reduce waste, and retain as much of the existing structure as possible.

Cost Effectiveness

Many assume demolishing and rebuilding is the best option, but retrofitting typically costs 40-60% less. The high costs of demolition, materials, and construction for a rebuild make retrofit a far more affordable alternative. Additionally, the UK government has recently reduced VAT from 20% to 0% for specific energy-efficient home improvements, including heat pumps, solar panels, and insulation, making retrofitting even more cost-effective.

Energy Efficiency and Operational Costs

Retrofitting significantly improves energy use, reduces operational costs, and lowers carbon emissions.

Lower Operational Carbon Emissions

Retrofitting enhances a building’s energy efficiency by reducing the need for heating, cooling, and electricity. Upgrades such as insulation, triple glazing, air-source heat pumps, and solar panels cut energy consumption, leading to lower carbon emissions over time.

Extended Building Lifespan

By upgrading key systems and improving the structure, retrofitting extends the lifespan of buildings. It reduces the need for frequent, carbon-intensive repairs and lowers operational costs in the long run.

-Sustainability

Retrofitting helps lower both operational and embodied carbon emissions by reducing waste, reusing materials, and minimising the carbon footprint of construction.

Reduced Embodied Carbon

Keeping existing structures and materials where possible avoids the high carbon footprint associated with demolition and new construction. Retrofitting reuses materials and minimises the need for energy-intensive processes such as concrete and steel production, which are major contributors to global emissions. If the majority of homes and commercial buildings across the UK were retrofitted, it would have a significant impact on reducing the collective carbon footprint, while ensuring buildings remain functional and sustainable for future generations.

Key Retrofitting Measures

Enhancing insulation for improved thermal performance
Upgrading windows to double or triple glazing for better energy efficiency
Modernising heating systems with options like heat pumps
Integrating solar panels to harness renewable energy
Installing energy-efficient lighting and appliances to reduce consumption

The Future of Retrofitting

Retrofitting is crucial in achieving net-zero targets and decarbonising the built environment. As the UK moves toward its Net Zero target by 2050, retrofit strategies will play an increasingly vital role. Many conversations in the industry are about new build projects and strategies to meet 2050 targets when most of the buildings that will exist in 2050 have already been built. How can we future proof our homes and commercial spaces?

Getting Started with Retrofitting

For homeowners and businesses looking to begin the retrofitting process, the first step is to assess the building’s needs and identify the most effective upgrades. Again, this isn’t a “one size fit’s all” approach. Every building will have its own constraints and challenges. We overcome those challenges by applying our expert knowledge in a strategic way, identifying the key moves that will add value and the greatest positive impact.

As a practice, we have developed strategies and a material sample library to help inform our clients of the opportunities for more sustainable methods of design, and wherever possible to retrofit existing building fabric. We can work with them to show that retrofitting isn’t just good for the environment, it also makes longer term financial sense, saving resources and offering lasting value.

Our expert team are on hand to help find the best approach for your project. Contact us using the button below …..