Getting started

Preparing a window or door for redecoration is an opportunity to address issues such as draughts and damp ingress which compromise the fabric of the building and make them harder to keep warm. Updating fittings such as windows and lighting also present opportunities to improve the performance of the house. It is also a good opportunity to consider the materials that you use, not strictly a low carbon retrofit issue but avoiding toxic materials and using natural where possible are all good things to do.

A common maintenance job is topping up loft insulation which loses some of its volume with age and which has, over the years had recommended levels increased. Natural fibre loft insulation offers a sustainable solution and there are now a range of products to choose from.

Fabric first is becoming common retrofit term. It is a rule of thumb for retrofit projects and refers to the principles that ensuring the building fabric is in the best place it can be for energy efficient performance is the very first thing to address.

The aim here is to reduce the demand for energy as much as possible by reducing the need for heating and cooling as much as possible and by considering: insulation of walls, lofts and pipework as well as draught proofing, control systems, shading, orientation and ventilation.

At the same time it is not a bad idea to think about ‘energy behaviours’ in your home. This can help you identify simple cost-free changes as well as identify helpful measures.  For example, do people in your home open windows when the heating is on? Could they dress differently? Would this solve it or, would improving heating controls help stop things getting too hot?

Most of the time we do home projects in a piecemeal way driven by our available time and finances. A lot of the time we also think about how one job impacts the other. A common example is replacing windows before updating décor internally or externally.

Thinking about your house as a whole and your long-term strategy for upgrading can help you avoid retrofit risks and unnecessary, as well as ensure one job does not impact another.

When we are thinking about retrofit measures it is also important to think about how they interact with each other now and, potentially in the future as more things change in the home and its wider environment. Expert advice can be invaluable in helping you identify the right measures for your home, recommendations for measures and advice on payback periods. Whole house plan services are become more available and maybe called a variety of things such home energy efficiency or, home energy advice reports.

An online approach was developed to support Green Homes Grant. A bespoke report from an expert who visits your home is a recommended approach. Locally, Severn Wye Energy Agency offer useful services.

Even a street of identical houses may have slightly different retrofit considerations as a result of differences in how buildings are occupied, used and changed over the years.

Some home buildings also have protected characteristics in their surrounding landscapes of status as listed and heritage buildings.

All homes benefit from bespoke advice when it comes to more in depth aspects of retrofit to minimise risks.

All building works carry risk and it is important that you assure yourself of the credibility of any schemes and projects you enter into in terms of how they are financed and the level of expertise of those delivering works.

Retrofitting homes needs to be well considered as the purpose is to change the performance of the building and all buildings need to be kept in a balance in terms of temperature and humidity control to prevent problems from condensation, mould and damp.

Condensation and damp unchecked will lead to further damage. Condensation in the home cannot be avoided as we use water daily and even our breath holds water vapour. However, poorly fitting modifications and changes that result in structural deficits such as ‘cold bridges’ where materials with different thermal properties are used in combination can exacerbate these problems.

Cold Bridges - Materials that transfer heat easily alongside materials that are good at retaining it contribute to heat losses and can generate cold spots susceptible to condensation dampness

Whenever you undertake work at home try to think ahead to what yourself or a new owner might like/need to do in the future. Here are some starters for 10 as an idea for the kinds of things to think about?

• Reducing or removing cupboard space - Where will future generation and storage technologies fit?
• Repairing or changing roofing lines - How can I do this to be ready for solar generation?
• Extending – Can large glass areas be orientated to avoid too much solar gain?
• Replastering and rendering – what materials can I use to help the building ‘breathe’?