A new study from the Building
Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA)
has found that retrofit training gaps are stalling Net-Zero progress in UK
construction.
The research surveyed 500
construction professionals and revealed that there is a low sector-wide
understanding of retrofit technologies and approaches, creating a potential
bottleneck in the UK’s plans to decarbonise.
Four in ten professionals
stated that the level of training available to them was insufficient and that
industry knowledge and understanding of retrofit techniques are currently
‘lacking’.
However, many professionals
see retrofitting existing buildings as a more effective path to reducing carbon
emissions compared to constructing new. Nearly two in three (62%) believe
retrofit projects provide greater benefits for achieving net zero than new-build
homes.
Another area of the study
examined how professionals measure the impact of applied retrofit measures.
Just two in five professionals (43%) measure building performance after
envelope changes, highlighting a concerning 'do-it-and-dash' trend that skips
energy, carbon, and comfort evaluation. An approach that can lead to suboptimal
results.
These findings come at an
important time for the UK’s decarbonisation efforts. Back in July, the Climate
Change Committee warned that the UK could be at risk of missing Net-Zero
targets. In early November, ministers also put £30 million more into a grant
scheme to encourage the uptake of heat pumps.
The research also revealed
surprising doubts about the value of large-scale retrofit measures, with one in
four professionals unconvinced of their long-term effectiveness over the next
20 years.
This was particularly true for
sole traders and those in the repair sector – just half (55% and 56%,
respectively) thought retrofit measures were worth the investment. This could
suggest a need for more advanced training on the performance benefits of retrofit
technologies.
The study also flagged an
interesting area of debate – what constitutes ‘comfort’ within Net-Zero spaces.
Professionals remain divided - two in five identified it as air quality and
ventilation, while just over half (52%) said thermal comfort was the most
important factor. Natural lighting closely followed (50%) and then acoustic
comfort (40%).
In context, these stats show
variations in which retrofit measures take precedence. It also highlights a
growing need in the industry to define a standardised approach to retrofit
assessments, such as the new BS 40104 standard.
Tom Garrigan, Technical
Director at BSRIA said: “The results of this study show a snapshot of the industry’s
approach to retrofitting. There’s a clear need for detailed pre- and
post-retrofit assessments. Understanding a building's condition, possible
defects, and energy performance is an essential step but one that appears to be
lacking. Without high-quality testing, building owners will never know the true
value of retrofit investments.”
Lisa Ashworth, CEO at BSRIA
said: "Retrofitting
29 million homes by 2050 is an ambitious goal for the UK. To achieve it, we
must upskill the construction workforce on the value of retrofitting and the
need for a meticulous approach to every property. As the saying goes, ‘you
can’t test what you don’t measure’—a mindset the entire industry must
embrace."
