NEWS EXTRA
NEWS EXTRA CONFERENCE
ADVENTURES IN RETRO-FIT LAND
Cocuun’s Glenn Paddison looked at some of the opportunities for merchants and suppliers in the growing retro-fit market for energy efficiency products.
THE UK CURRENTLY has 28 million homes, consuming 35% of the UK’s energy and contributing 20% of CO2 emissions. However, because the UK has the oldest housing stock in Europe with 38% of properties built prior to 1946, some 24 million of these homes need an energy retrofit.
Glenn Paddison told delegates that the Climate Change Committee, an independent body advising government on impacts of climate change, estimates that around £250- 365 billion of investment is needed to retrofit these homes by 2050.
Some merchants are already ahead of the curve on this, he added. “Innovative, forward - thinking merchants are already staking a claim in this space. Wickes have bought solar installations business Solar Fast, MKM moved into the HVAC sector with the acquisition of Oceanair UK Ltd, a specialist distributor for market leading brands Daikin, Fujitsu and Panasonic. Build Depot added a fifth branch with the acquisition of GTI, a Dunoon-based UK-wide distributor of insulation, energy
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efficiency and carbon reduction eco products.” There are real opportunities for merchants, Paddison explained, such as sales of higher value innovative products and emerging technologies, bringing in exciting new roles to help retain and inspire staff, reciprocal new business opportunities, competitive advantage and an element of future proofing the business. Suppliers too, are likely to benefit from an increase in added value product sales, and the sale of innovative emerging technologies through the merchant channel. “then there are the benefits of forming stronger merchant partnerships through training and upskilling, plus powerful marketing opportunities in conjunction with merchant and installer partners.”
The retrofit sector is vital because it has the potential to bring the UK £4.5 billion per year in energy savings, with a typical UK household possibly saving up to £351 per year on their energy costs, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Paddison added: “In times of geopolitical
instability, reduces our reliance on sourcing fossil fuels from overseas, plus out homes will be healthier, enhancing our wellbeing and reducing mental health problems. Job creation, too, with the energy retrofitting sector estimated to generate 350K new job opportunities.”
To reach Government’s targets, the volume of energy efficiency projects needs to increase from 150,000 installs in 2021 to 500,000 in 2025 and one million per year by 2030. Paddison said that by forming a trading partnership with installers such as Cocuun, merchants and installers could approach Housing Associations with a combined proposition based on supply and installation expertise.
“For example, at Cocuun, we were awarded a LAD3 Contract with Nottingham City Council to perform a Whole House Retrofit on 500 Properties from October 2021, through to March 2024. The aim was to reduce fuel poverty and cut carbon emissions by improving the energy performance rating of the properties from EPC Level G to a minimum of an EPC Level C, and we worked with Nottingham builders merchant Frank Key on the project.” Builders’ merchants are in pole position to be Whole House Retrofit champions, he explained. “However, it requires a strategic reorientation - upskilling, new product lines and services, and partnerships with trusted installation partners like Cocuun. Those who embrace this retrofit opportunity can future-proof their businesses by being a key component of the UK’s transition to a low carbon housing future.” BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net July 2024
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