What is a Retrofit Assessment?
A Retrofit Assessment is an in-depth assessment of a property, based on the following criteria;
- An Occupancy Assessment
- An Energy Assessment
- A Condition assessment of the property
The assessment shall include:
- an appraisal of the dwelling’s heritage, architectural features, structure, construction and condition and the installed building services (ventilation, heating, hot water and lighting) in sufficient detail to establish the suitability of the dwelling for improvement;
- identification of any constraints imposed by the local planning authority (including requirements for planning permission, Listing as of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, Conservation Area constraints, Tree Preservation orders, etc.);
- identification of the location and severity of any existing construction defects or structural defects or leaks, and of any condensation and/or mould growth in the dwelling;
- identification of any energy efficiency measures already installed or proposed.
- a measured survey to establish the overall dimensions of the dwelling’s heat loss envelope (including any basements and attics), the dimensions of all building elements (exposed floors, external walls, roofs, etc) and the dimensions of all window and door openings;
- an appraisal of the dwelling’s construction in sufficient detail to establish the thermal transmittances (U values) and moisture properties of the main building elements (exposed floors, walls and roofs) and the suitability of the dwelling for improvement;
- identification of the installed building services (ventilation, heating, hot water and lighting systems and their controls).
The completed Retrofit Assessment will be provided to a Retrofit Coordinator in order to develop plans for remediation.
Dwellings which require energy retrofit work will first need to be assessed by a Retrofit Assessor. These assessors play an important role in the PAS 2035 process as they collect and provide property data/information which Retrofit Coordinators can use to develop a relevant improvement plan.
A growing sector
The government is keen to hit net zero by 2050 and has already identified that improvements to existing homes are required in order to achieve this. It is anticipated that PAS 2035 (which requires TrustMark approved retrofit professionals) will need to be adopted for all retrofit improvement programmes in the future, with ECO3 already due to make this mandatory in 2021.
What are retrofit advisors/ assessors?
Retrofit Advisor – Gives advice to a client or householder during the retrofit process, the evaluation of improvement options, the selection of improvement measures (EEM), the retrofit design, the operation and maintenance of installed measures, or how to operate a home in an energy efficient way after retrofit.
Retrofit Assessors – Retrofit Assessors are trained to undertake a retrofit assessment for dwellings in accordance with PAS 2035. The activities completed within the retrofit assessment include the production of an RdSAP assessment, a detailed floor plan, a condition report and an occupancy assessment.
The data collected from these sources is used by the Retrofit Coordinator to formulate a Medium-Term Improvement Plan. Accredited DEAs are well placed to become qualified Retrofit Assessors due to their extensive knowledge and experience with RdSAP methodology and assessment of existing dwellings.
How does it all work?
Like all British Standards, PAS 2035 is a lengthy and dense document. But if you boil it down, the PAS introduces a simple six-stage process that all retrofit projects must follow.
Meet our Retrofit Assessor.
Jack is our fully trained and qualified Retrofit Assessor. Jack is also a fully qualified Domestic Energy Assessor who can undertake residential Energy Performance Certificates (EPC's).
Should you be interested in talking to our team about EPC's and Retrofit Assessments please call us today on 01706 614766 or email us on [email protected] where we are happy to help and arrange appointments.
We currently provide services within Rochdale, the surrounding areas and the North West.
