ASK THE EXPERT


progress though. There are many ways to curb our gas and electricity usage without achieving a fully self-suffi cient home. Some retrofi tters also choose building materials with less ‘embodied carbon’ in their production methods. Reducing water usage and harvesting rainwater, supporting biodiversity, being conscious consumers and managing waste effectively, all make a difference too.


down the line, or wishing you had factored in how upgrades interact with one another. Effective prioritisation is important, as is balancing the eco-system of your home, cost-effective scheduling and ensuring longevity of upgrades. That’s exactly why we’ve built the


Retrofi t one. You can explore life-sie cross-sections of housing commonly found in the UK, to help you navigate challenges and solutions associated with your type and age of property. We demystify retrofi t standards, jargon, planning permission, fi nancing and schemes to equip you with a strong base level of understanding and identify your next steps.


14


HOW SUSTAINABLE CAN I BE? It really comes down to budget. If sustainability is your main objective, then a carbon-neutral house without bills is genuinely achievable – as long as you can afford the initial investment. Some retrofi tters even manage to create carbon-negative homes, producing more energy than they use, and selling clean energy back to the grid. Most of us aren’t in a position to fund such a project and have to balance our priorities. It’s all about weighing up the expense of the project vs the long-term benefi ts and savings. f course, not all these benefi ts are fi nancial. Perfection shouldn’t be the enemy of


WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHEN RETROFITTING? While the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers homeowners up to £7,500 for switching to low-carbon heating systems like air source heat pumps, these should not be seen purely as cost-saving measures. Heat pumps allow us to move away from fossil fuels more effi ciently than ever before but typically run at lower temperatures than gas boilers. This means homes could become less comfortable or less affordable to run if we don’t reduce heat loss and upgrade radiators. A fabric fi rst approach helps maximise effi ciency, and underfl oor heating is a common solution which pairs well with a heat pump. Grants are valuable, but should support well informed decisions, rather than drive them. High-spec products or materials are no guarantee of success without proper installation and detailing. For instance, triple-glaing reduces heat loss through the glass but poor airtightness around the frame allows heat to escape. Likewise, insulation on the internal or external surface of walls must continue along window reveals and onto the frame to prevent cold spots and condensation. Ventilation is also crucial. locking airfl ow beneath suspended timber fl oors can trap moisture, so clear paths between airbricks should always be maintained.


Examples of all these scenarios are demonstrated in the SRCs Retrofi t one. isit nsbrc.co.uk to fi nd out more and plan your free visit. To listen to the full podcast and hear


more of what Nick has to say about the potential of retro ttng your


home, scan the QR code


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68