What does retrofit mean?
Retrofit means changing an existing building in ways that save energy (e.g. by adding insulation) or in ways that generate energy from renewable sources (e.g. by fitting solar panels) or both.
Almost every building in the UK has the potential to use less fuel for heating, lighting and appliances.
red take a “fabric first” approach that means starting with insulation and controlled ventilation to minimise the heating requirements, then adding efficient heating and lighting, with renewable energy generation to maximise efficiency. By adding performance improvements to buildings, we make them work better than when they were built.
Why retrofit?
In the UK buildings make up 37% of our CO2 emissions with two thirds of that being from our homes. Along with changing how we eat and travel, our homes are somewhere we can make substantial reductions to our greenhouse gas emissions. There are also financial benefits - over the longer term energy prices have risen faster than inflation and have taken an increasing share of household incomes. By minimising energy use, you can get off this “fuel price escalator”. red’s whole house assessment method predicts actual bill savings, based on actual past energy bills, which will help you to decide whether to invest in improving your property.
A good retrofit can:
- Massively reduce your energy bills, reducing the impact of rising fuel prices
- Make your home a lot healthier and more comfortable: cold, poorly ventilated homes allow damp to gather which can lead to an increase in pathogens that cause respiratory problems
- Make your home look better if designed well
