News Extra - Retrofitting
Independent testing crucial to bridge retrofit confidence gap, BSRIA study reveals
New research shows that 82% of UK consumers unconvinced about retrofit benefits, while construction professionals remain optimistic.
A
ccording to a recent study from the Building Services Research and
Intelligence Association (BSRIA), there is a significant confidence gap between construction professionals and the general public regarding the effectiveness of building retrofits.
BSRIA commissioned a study of 2,000 UK homeowners and tenants to investigate the factors holding back home energy efficiency. It also polled 500 construction professionals to understand the industry’s understanding of retrofit approaches. The study reveals that while four out of five construction professionals (80%) feel optimistic about the long-term performance of current retrofit solutions, only a fifth of UK consumers believe that retrofitting homes makes a difference in achieving net-zero targets. A retrofit, defined as modifying existing buildings with energy efficiency measures and low carbon technology to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, is widely recognised within the construction industry as essential for meeting the UK’s legally binding climate targets. BSRIA data shows that only a fifth of Brits live in an energy- efficient home. However, the research highlights a critical
awareness gap among the public, with 55% of UK consumers not clear about what the definition of a building retrofit.
The study also uncovered concerning trends in
how retrofit performance is validated within the construction industry: • Half of construction (51%) professionals rely solely on self-certification to validate retrofit performance
• Only four in ten (43%) use independent physical measurements to verify results
• Just a third (32%) conduct post-occupancy evaluation surveys to gather feedback over time
• Construction professionals who use independent testing methods reported significantly higher confidence levels in retrofit outcomes. Architects (46%) and engineers (44%) who employ physical measurements showed above-average confidence in retrofit performance.
Tom Garrigan, BSRIA director – applied
engineering, commented: “These findings highlight a disconnect between industry confidence and public understanding of retrofitting, which is often overshadowed by concerns about cost. While construction professionals largely believe in the effectiveness of current approaches, we’re clearly failing to explain the benefits of retrofitting our homes. “What’s particularly striking is the correlation
between independent testing and confidence levels. Professionals who go beyond self-
certification to employ rigorous, independent validation methods consistently demonstrate greater faith in retrofit outcomes. This underscores the importance of robust testing and post- occupancy evaluation in ensuring performance and building the evidence base needed to convince a sceptical public.” The research comes as the UK grapples with
having Europe’s oldest and least efficient housing stock, with one in five UK homes lacking adequate insulation. Additional BSRIA findings revealed only 6% of Britons know their home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, while just 17% are aware of options to boost home energy efficiency. Garrigan added: “With the government’s ambitious net-zero targets, retrofitting our existing building stock is non-negotiable. However, to achieve widespread adoption, we must address both the knowledge gap among consumers and the validation gap within our industry.”
BEAMA comments on ESNZ Committee report
In response to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee (ESNZ)’s report on ‘Retrofitting homes for Net Zero’, Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA, commented:
“T
he ESNZ Select Committee has hit upon
the crux of the challenge for decarbonising homes in an energy and cost-efficient way, end user engagement. But this can be overcome, and while there may be complexities for some homeowners, better advice is crucial to unlocking the financial and emissions savings under our own roof. “Government and industry
have a duty to ensure everyone can get informed answers to the
16 | electrical wholesaler July 2025
question, ‘what should I do?’. This must include better advice, as the Committee highlights, but also using the Warm Homes Plan and Clean Heat Strategy to support the diverse options for domestic heat technologies. At BEAMA we are committed to developing an advice network for heat electrification as a first objective for this year.” Of the report, published at the end of May, Bill Esterson MP, Chair of the ESNZ Committee said: “The UK’s disastrous lost decade for clean, secure energy is nowhere
more evident than in the project to decarbonise and reduce costs for home heating: we are shockingly 98% below the levels of energy efficiency measures being installed in homes relative to the trajectory we were on in 2010. “The Committee’s report sets out
practical, urgent measures to build the consumer, investor and supply chain confidence needed to deliver the Government’s warm homes plans and its central contribution to the energy transition and Net Zero goals.”
ewnews.co.uk
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