Hull Retrofit Programme for Fortem: Energy Efficiency & Carbon Reduction | Keegans

Project Overview 

The retrofit project took place in Hull, targeting predominantly Wimpey No Fine and Spooner properties. There were a mixture of houses, bungalows and flat in this project. The primary objective was to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and improve resident comfort across over 800 homes.

 

Scope and Challenges

The project focused on identifying and overcoming specific energy efficiency challenges. This included upgrading insulation, replacing windows and doors, and installing advanced mechanical ventilation systems. Key challenges involved addressing existing defects such as damp issues and accurately modelling energy usage to maximize potential savings.

 

PAS 2035 Roles and Responsibilities

In partnership with Fortem, we provided the following PAS 2035 roles:

• Retrofit Coordinator: Oversaw the entire project, ensuring compliance with PAS 2035 standards and managing the midterm planning process.
• Retrofit Assessor: Conducted thorough assessments, including energy reports, condition surveys, and occupancy reports.
• Retrofit Designer: Developed detailed retrofit plans, proposing innovative solutions to achieve ZERO carbon homes.

 

Each role was pivotal in maintaining the project's compliance with PAS 2035, from initial assessments through to final implementation.

 

Assessment and Planning

Our initial building assessments included:

• Energy Reports: Equivalent to Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), these reports provided baseline data for modelling different retrofit scenarios.
• Condition Surveys: Identified existing defects like damp issues to be resolved before starting work.
• Occupancy Reports: Analysed resident behaviour patterns to model energy usage and savings accurately.

 

Based on these assessments, we developed detailed retrofit plans for various building archetypes, including costings for renewable technologies and external wall insulation (EWI).

 

Retrofit Measures Implemented

• External Wall Insulation (EWI): Innovative 60-year life Wetherby EWI system.
• Loft Insulation: Enhanced thermal efficiency of roof spaces.
• Windows and Doors: High-efficiency replacements to reduce heat loss.
• Mechanical Ventilation: Improved indoor air quality and energy efficiency.

 

Grant funding options were explored to maximise financial support for these measures, ensuring cost-effective implementation. There were 109 properties that were delivered under SHDF Wave 1 funding and the remainder were ECO4.

 

Quality Assurance and Compliance

Throughout the project, we adhered to stringent quality assurance processes to ensure PAS 2035 compliance:

• Site Presence: Retrofit Coordinators were consistently on-site to monitor and sign off completed works.
• Documentation: All work was documented and uploaded to Trustmark through the Elmhurst Portal.
• Certifications: Ensured compliance with the Trustmark quality scheme and eligibility assessments to satisfy funding criteria.

 

Outcomes and Evaluations

The project resulted in significant improvements:

• Energy Efficiency: Marked reductions in energy use and costs, alleviating fuel poverty.
• Carbon Reduction: Lower emissions associated with energy use.
• Resident Comfort: Homes became warmer and more aesthetically pleasing, enhancing tenant wellbeing.
• Building Preservation: Improved energy ratings (e.g., SAP) and protection against decay.
• Community Impact: Renewed sense of pride among residents, improved estate management, and enhanced overall community wellbeing.

 

Measures

• Comparison of before and after bills (annual estimates), smartmeter data, before and after meter readings, customer satisfaction of bills reduction. The average savings per property is £175.37 per year
• carbon emissions calculated with industry-standard protocols and emission factors for different fuel sources The average carbon savings (t/year) per property is 0.93.
• Before and after SAP /RdSAP calculations the average EPC rating will be SAP Band C.  (All/most properties were starting SAP D but have improved to SAP C)
• Statement of strategies as part of handover documents & whole house plan

 

Post-retrofit evaluations confirmed these outcomes, verifying compliance with PAS 2035 standards and the project's objectives.

 

This comprehensive retrofit project in Hull, delivered in partnership with Fortem, showcases our ability to overcome diverse challenges and deliver PAS 2035 compliant retrofit projects. By meticulously planning and implementing innovative solutions, we achieved substantial energy efficiency improvements and enhanced the quality of life for residents.