Phillipa Burgin MRICS, Earl Kendrick Project & Building Consultancy
Due to a variety of coinciding world-wide events, energy prices are higher than ever. Property and block managers up and down the country are feeling the pressure to procure affordable electricity and gas prices, and to protect concerned leaseholders against soaring costs, but finding a good deal with your energy provider is not the only means of protection.
‘Retrofit’ usually refers to works carried out to an existing building in order to improve its energy performance, ventilation or reduce its carbon dioxide emissions.
When carried out successfully, retrofit works can result in a reduction in energy usage and therefore energy bills, as well as improving the thermal comfort and health of a building’s occupants.
An additional driver in the race to retrofit is the government’s ambitious Net Zero target, of which the residential housing sector plays a huge part. It’s been estimated that the UK needs to “deep retrofit” half a million homes a year for the next 30 years in order to achieve Net Zero by 2050 as planned.
In an attempt to achieve this Net Zero target, the government is introducing ever tighter minimum energy efficiency standards to properties, and in particular to the private rental sector. Under the Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings (No. 2) Bill, which is currently going through parliament at the time of writing, all new tenancies must have an energy efficiency performance of at least EPC Band C from 31 December 2025; and all existing tenancies must be at least EPC Band C from 31 December 2028 (where practical, cost-effective and affordable).
Whilst the biggest improvement to your managed buildings’ thermal performance is likely to come from undertaking major works, such as roof and window upgrades or external wall insulation, it is often possible to reduce a building’s energy usage immediately, without undertaking complex or expensive retrofit works. We call these “easy wins”. They are low-risk and affordable, and if you are on the cusp of a more positive EPC rating, easy wins can have a big impact. I provide some examples below:
- Draught proofing: Old windows and doors are responsible for a considerable amount of heat loss. Installing draft excluders such as foam or brush strips to fill the gaps is easy and should not affect the operability of the window or door. The Energy Saving Trust estimates this saves the average property £125 a year in wasted energy – and with energy prices at an all-time high, the savings may be far greater.
- Thermal Radiator Valves (TRVs): TRVs are affordable, easy-to-install valves that regulate the temperature of the radiator based on the temperature of the room, resulting in a more responsive and efficient heating system.
- LED lighting: Upgrade your light bulbs to light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. Quality LED light bulbs last longer, are more durable, and offer comparable or better light quality than other types of lighting. Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs use 25-35% of the energy used by traditional incandescent bulbs, but LEDs use as little as 10% and can last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting.
- Off-peak electricity: Use off-peak electricity where possible. Off-peak hours vary between areas and electricity providers, but are often before 4pm and after 10pm. Off-peak rates typically reduce the cost per kwh by 75%. Consider confirming your off-peak hours and notifying all building occupants, so that use of high consumption appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers can be adjusted accordingly.
For more easy wins or to start planning for more involved retrofit works, please get in touch.
Phillipa Burgin MRICS
