Retrofit is the process of improving the performance of an existing building by installing additional measures that weren’t included in its initial design. A high proportion of the UK’s current housing stock does not offer the level of energy efficiency and sustainability that is required if the UK is to meet its Net Zero targets by the year 2050. Energy used in domestic buildings accounts for around 26% of the UK’s total emissions.  Therefore, retrofit is a majority priority for de-carbonisation. 

Retrofit measures are wide-ranging and sometimes complicated. Changes can include the home’s structure and insulation; its heating, ventilation and cooling systems; or appliances around the house. The most effective way to reduce the energy demand in buildings is by installing insulation and low-carbon technologies. Insulation will improve the building’s heat retention, thus resulting in less energy being used for Space heating. On average, 64% of energy used in a home is to heat it.  Quick improvements with less expense can be installed such as using LED bulbs and smart plugs or adding draughtproofing to windows and doors, and these will help to reduce your energy use - but the biggest gains come from deep retrofits, or whole house retrofits. This is why there is a demand for multi skilled contractors to upskill in retrofit to meet the demand for carbon reduction.

The "Builders Introduction to Retrofit" guide by The Retrofit Academy provides a comprehensive overview of the UK domestic retrofit sector. It explains the concept of whole-house retrofitting, which focuses on improving a building's energy efficiency and reducing overall carbon emissions. The document outlines essential industry standards, specifically detailing the compliance requirements of PAS 2030 and PAS 2035.