RETROFIT
Heating Bills
The weather is getting warmer and our utility bills drop, as our boilers do not have to work just as hard to keep our houses warm. As we enjoy the few savings spring and summer have to offer, it is easy to forget the issues with our houses that are not thermally performing to the best of their abilities, creating a higher demand for heating, increasing our costs and damaging the planet. So maybe now is exactly the right time to invest on home improvements that will create great value in our lives and decrease our personal ecological footprint. It’s time to retrofit!
What is a retrofit?
What does retrofit mean, you may ask? The literal definition is to install (new or modified parts or equipment) in something previously manufactured or constructed. In terms of what it entails, well, nothing new, really. Retrofitting old buildings has been implemented for decades. As the realities of climate change become apparent and deadlines for Net Zero are coming closer, retrofitting has a very important role to play as the key to unlock huge reductions in carbon emissions from the construction industry.
Sustainability & Net Zero
With regards to sustainability, looking at the impact of old ‘leaky’ buildings, it is astonishingly shocking to find out that buildings account for as much as 70% of a city’s carbon emissions, therefore the opportunity to make carbon savings by retrofitting existing houses is vast.
So, how is a successful retrofit achieved? Unfortunately, there is no straight forward answer, as every building is different. In rare occasions, a whole-life carbon analysis may reveal that retrofitting isn’t the most efficient choice. In every other scenario, retrofitting is certainly an option to investigate and implement. While certain houses benefit from less invasive changes, like LED lighting, others need more extensive overhauls. Energy efficiency measures like new double or even triple glazing, cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, and solar panels play a crucial role in such cases.
How to retrofit?
It is only after a careful evaluation of the existing conditions that a proposal can be most effective. How can Axis help? We are here to help you with your retrofit project, by doing a full report and analysis of your existing property, together with our consultants’ team, in order to put forward a proposal that will make the most impact in the performance of your property. If you are thinking of retrofitting your house, get in touch today and we can arrange a home visit to discuss further.
