Building the skills to deliver better retrofit across the UK
In episode 4 of Tomorrow’s Energy podcast we hear how a trained workforce can help transform the nation’s homes
The UK’s retrofit sector is entering an important new phase, with growing recognition that upgrading the country’s homes requires not only new technologies, but a highly skilled workforce capable of putting them together in the right way.
That’s the message from David Pierpoint, founder and chief executive of The Retrofit Academy, speaking in episode 4 Tomorrow’s Energy – our new podcast series.
David says retrofit is ultimately about improving existing homes, so they are warmer, healthier, cheaper to run and produce fewer carbon emissions. While technologies such as insulation, heat pumps, ventilation, windows and solar panels all have an important role to play, he stresses that successful retrofit is about how those measures work together.
He says: “Retrofit is all about improving existing homes so that they’re warmer, healthier, cheaper to run and produce fewer carbon emissions.
“Every home, every single home is different from every other home.”
He highlights the need for professionals who can understand the individual characteristics and condition of each property.
Taking a ‘whole house’ approach
Developing that expertise is at the heart of The Retrofit Academy’s work, as the industry builds the skills and competence needed to deliver retrofit at scale.
David says competent professionals need to be able to identify issues ranging from damp and mould to less visible problems such as poor air quality and humidity, and then determine the most appropriate solutions.
That ‘whole house’ approach is becoming increasingly important as the UK moves towards large-scale improvements to its existing housing stock.
“Every day is a school day in retrofit. We need to invest in the understanding of that building and its condition and what the most appropriate things to do to it may be before buying the kit.”
David points to lessons emerging from completed projects, with successful retrofit demonstrating the value of considering the building, its technology and the people living in it as part of the same system.
Getting the basics right can make a significant difference. Existing defects, such as a water leak, should be addressed before insulation or other measures are installed, helping to avoid unintended consequences and ensuring improvements deliver long-term benefits.
Retrofit is all about improving existing homes so that they’re warmer, healthier, cheaper to run and produce fewer carbon emissions.
Every home, every single home is different from every other home.
Solid advice to householders
Residents are also an important part of the picture. How people use their homes and new technologies can influence the savings and comfort they experience. David highlights the “rebound effect,” where households may choose to enjoy greater warmth once their home becomes cheaper to heat.
For homeowners considering retrofit, his advice is to understand the building first and then identify the measures that are most appropriate.
The message from The Retrofit Academy is ultimately one of opportunity: the technology exists, demand is growing and the industry is developing the professional skills and standards required to deliver high-quality retrofit.
David adds: “Our focus is on quality and scale and competence.”
Building that retrofit profession will be crucial to creating warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient homes and supporting the UK’s wider transition to a cleaner energy future.
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