17.01.2024
Building Energy-Smart Homes for a Sustainable Future
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Energy Saving Week is a national initiative organized by the United Kingdom’s Energy Saving Trust and Citizens Advice Bureau that encourages people to manage their energy consumption and make informed decisions about their energy usage.
Alongside people opting for sustainable energy-efficient choices in their homes, the combination of retrofitting existing homes and investing in Passivhaus / EnerPHit projects offers a multitude of benefits, including substantial energy savings, cost efficiency, enhanced property value, positive community space impact and enhanced living conditions for residents.
Keegans takes pride in our collaborative efforts with our sister company, ECD Architects Ltd, to consistently deliver sustainable projects that positively impact our clients and communities. Our collaborative approach extends beyond construction efficiency, and we actively incorporate energy-saving initiatives into our projects. From embracing passive solutions like energy-efficient building envelopes to implementing smart technologies, we strive to maximize energy efficiency in every aspect of our work.
Keegans are proud to be a part of this movement toward energy-efficient and sustainable living. Our team is passionate about delivering sustainable Retrofit, Passivhaus and EnerPHit projects to support Local Authorities, Housing Associations and Communities.
Learn more about our services on our Retrofit page and Case Studies page.
What does Retrofit mean?
The UK Government has identified the retrofit of buildings as a key lever in their low carbon strategy to achieve 68% carbon reduction by 2030. All affordable homes will be required to achieve a minimum EPC of C by 2030. All ECO funded refurbishment projects are required to achieve full compliance with PAS 2035:2019 from July 2021 with a 20% funding uplift for projects that comply before the deadline.
PAS 2035:2019 (Specification for the Energy Retrofit of Domestic Buildings) is revolutionising the refurbishment of buildings. Over the last 30 years energy efficiency programmes have focussed on single measures (i.e.: cavity wall insulation or window replacement, etc.) but all future programmes now require a holistic solution designed to suit the specific building type.
To comply with PAS 2035, a qualified Retrofit Coordinator must be employed to provide a 'Whole House Retrofit' solution.
Why measure the embodied carbon of retrofit?
In a climate crisis, all our decisions need to be taken through the lens of the impact they have on our environment. If we don’t know the impact, we can’t make the best decisions. And the decisions we make around retrofit, when multiplied by the vast number of homes that need retrofitting, will materially impact on the UK’s overall emissions in the coming years. Don’t stop retrofitting for the want of an embodied carbon assessment, but where possible do let it be part of the web of factors that guide decisions. There’s little point in putting so much effort into reducing buildings’ operational emissions if many tonnes of carbon are emitted to do so!
Read the full article written by Lizzy Westmacott, Associate Director & Matt Wingrove, Senior Architect from our architects ECD Architects for Unlock Net Zero on why we should be measuring the embodied carbon on retrofits.
What are the benefits of retrofit work?
Retrofitting existing buildings will allow individuals and businesses to save money and be more sustainable. It will let people across the UK live in warmer and healthier homes. Crucially, it will help our industry, and the country as a whole, decarbonise.
14.03.2024
RETROFIT 24: The Reuse Agenda for Our Commercial, Cultural & Civic BuildingsRetrofit 24 is open to the public Monday to Friday until August 30th. We encourage everyone to visit and be inspired by the strides being made toward a more sustainable built environment.
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