Our first Retrofit Surgery on the Retrofit Assessment took place last week. The event sold out, with 55 of you coming to listen to VOR’s Pete Marsh and Jack Hannon from As-Built Testing talk about what to look for in a Retrofit Assessment.
This blog will discuss five key takeaways from the session, covering crucial aspects of the Retrofit Assessment process.
Resident engagement is key
- Engaging residents can help build trust and ensure their participation in the overall project.
- Clear information and sufficient notice can make residents more comfortable with the process.
- Having input from the resident early on helps define a good set of intended outcomes that can help drive the direction of the project.
Data collection is crucial
- Good assessments should go beyond the minimum standards set by the industry and supply comprehensive measurements, accurately scaled floor plans, lots of photos, clear commentary, and genuine insight.
- The more data collected during the retrofit assessment, the higher the chance of success in the project.
- A five-step process has been developed to ensure good assessments, which involves collecting as much data as possible.
- A clear, concise model of the building can help input exact parameters into the EPC or report, which is vital for assessment consistency.
Photos can capture essential details
- Photos can help capture essential details of the building, including insulation, ventilation, and any issues or problems that must be addressed.
Consistency is vital
- Consistency between photographic evidence and data recorded in the report is essential to ensure accuracy and transparency in the assessment process.
- Photos should be used to capture important details of the building’s energy performance, including insulation, ventilation, and any issues or problems that need to be addressed.
- Accurate measurements and scaling of floor plans can ensure that energy-saving measures are correctly evaluated and assessed.
Always consider ventilation, perhaps the most critical overlooked aspect
- Flow rates must be measured and checked within an assessment as the PAS 2035 regulation mandates.
- Decentralised mechanical extract ventilation is recommended as a minimum requirement in most properties. This ensures a constant air turnover, removing stale air from the property and bringing in fresh air. This reduces the potential for condensation and mould issues within a property.
- The type of ventilation system installed must comply with the regulations for government funding.
- Ventilation is sadly lacking in far too many properties. A well-designed suitable ventilation system will have many benefits not only for the dwelling itself but crucially for the health and wellbeing of the occupants.
