BUILDING SERVICES FORUM Reaching Net Zero together – Retrofit
On October 5th last year, the Building Services Forum began an all-important journey to showcase carbon friendly solutions. Now our one-day technical briefing is back but with a new focus this time – Building Retrofit
T
he UK government’s promised agenda to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will not be a simple task, and industry experts know that we will have to embrace all products and technologies with carbon cutting credentials if we are to be successful. Which is why on 6th June, along with industry experts and manufacturers, we will be taking a look at the key role of Building Retrofit in enhancing the energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings.
What is retrofit?
This can involve various building components such as insulation, windows, doors, lighting, controls, heating and cooling systems, and the installation of renewable energy systems. The ultimate goal is to bring older and less efficient buildings up to modern standards in terms of energy performance and environmental sustainability. Importantly, retrofit allows the reduction of carbon emissions in the short-term, without a costly wait for new energy efficient buildings to be constructed.
Why retrofit?
It’s accepted that 80% of buildings that exist today will still be in use in 2050, making it all the more important to explore key steps where retrofit can help reduce carbon emissions in buildings. The Future Homes & Buildings Standards, coming into effect next year, and the expansion of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which provides an upfront grant to install low carbon heating solutions, are expected to provide the impetus for improvements to be made to many thousands of homes and buildings across the country. In addition, commercial building managers will be expected to be more transparent on their Net Zero plans in the coming years through environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting while they will also be expected to adhere to more stringent EPC ratings rules.
The BSF
Therefore, the pressure is on to make our buildings fit for the future and the Building
Services Forum will showcase all those solutions which can be critical to decarbonisation efforts within the built environment.
The one-day technical briefing will hear
from industry experts in varied technologies who will provide insight into some of the newest and most innovative products which can be retrofitted.
The day’s events will also include a panel debate and table top exhibition with plenty of experts on hand for visitors to liaise with. Datateam Business Media business director Jacqui Henderson said: “We are so pleased to be able to bring the Building Services Forum back again in June, this time focusing on the important subject of retrofit. “Through retrofitting, we can become more
energy efficient, reduce environmental impact, achieve compliance and be much more cost- effective. The BSF will deliver all the information you need to achieve your goals.” To find out more about how to get involved, contact Jacqui Henderson on T: +44 (0)1622 699 116 E:
Jhenderson@datateam.co.uk
Make 2024 the year of retrofit, says BESA T
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has urged the UK government to help accelerate growth in the number of whole building retrofit projects carried out during 2024
he Association believes only “a holistic approach to building performance” will unlock the full potential of the building services industry to cut carbon emissions, improve energy security, and
reduce consumers’ bills.
BESA welcomed the allocation of an extra £1.5bn to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), as part of a wider £6bn push to improve building energy efficiency but said the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, due to come into force next year, should be more focused on whole building solutions.
The Association also sought to downplay the potential of hydrogen for heating buildings saying it only had “limited feasibility” due to a range of financial and technical difficulties. “There is a danger that hydrogen becomes a damaging distraction because of vested interests trying to keep it in the decarbonisation picture, but it will only play a very minor role in buildings long-term,” said BESA technical director Graeme Fox.
“It certainly could play some part in industrial 6 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024
and transport sectors, but not home heating – the infrastructure issues are too complex and the costs too high,” he added. “We need to keep focused on full building retrofits that make best use of energy efficient design and existing low carbon heating and cooling solutions.”
Uplift
There was a surge of applications for heat pump installation grants in late 2023 following the uplift in the BUS scheme to £7,500 per installation. The Association also welcomed the addition of a £400m energy efficiency grant, set to launch in 2025, which is intended to help households in England make wider improvements to their homes including installing larger radiators and insulation.
A total of £1.545bn was added to the BUS fund to run from 2025-2028, but BESA said this could be bolstered with some additional funding for 2024 to keep up the momentum in the heat pump market. Over 4,000 contractors are now certified to install heat pumps and manufacturers’ efforts to improve the effectiveness of the technology are bearing fruit
with more high temperature models coming onto the market, the Association added. The government is also consulting until March 6th on proposals for the upcoming Future Homes and Buildings Standards, which would, in effect, outlaw the use of gas boilers in new homes from 2025 onwards. It is also inviting feedback on proposed changes to the Building Regulations and calculation methods. “The government consultation pretty much rules out hydrogen-ready boilers too, but there are a number of exciting developments with heat pumps, including new high temperature models that could unlock further potential in that market,” said Fox.
“The new funding and standards are a great opportunity to cement whole building retrofit as the way forward. The debate needs to move beyond individual technologies to the holistic approaches that make the best of the practical solutions we already have.”
“2024 could be a big year for accelerating whole building retrofits to drive better energy performance, and the consultation is another opportunity for the government to send positive and supportive signals to the market,” said Fox.
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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
