Retrofit Review

Welcome to the new issue

It's February already!

Spring is officially around the corner 🌷🐣

As we publish this issue, we're in the middle of the Liverpool Retrofit Summit sharing the work of a fantastic line up of low carbon housing practitioners and policy-makers, including Host Partner Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram who - despite being quite busy with Eurovision things - found time to deliver the Opening Address, restating Liverpool's low carbon ambitions.

Also, in this issue, check out some exciting job roles + the plethora of positive retrofit action news. Let's make 2023 a really positive year for action to decarbonise our homes and reduce energy demand.

Read on retrofitters...

News & Opinion

George Clarke invites young people to take part in radical eco-fix challenge | Construction Buzz

The challenge is all about saving home energy, saving precious resources and saving our planet. We are asking young people to explore what it takes to make our homes more energy and resource efficient, to reduce the costs of heating and lighting, to emit little or no carbon emissions, to help protect ourselves against climate change and to create affordable, functional, comfortable places in which to live...

How the UK’s push to reach net-zero could deliver key health benefits - Carbon Brief

The benefits occur because climate action is typically accompanied by reductions in outdoor and household air pollution, better-insulated homes and increases in healthy behaviours – such as increased physical activity through more walking and cycling and greater consumption of plant-based diets...

£1.5bn retrofit framework unveiled | Construction News

A consortium of housing associations is looking for contractors and consultants for a retrofit framework worth £1.48bn. The Greener Futures Partnerships is looking to decarbonise its housing stock through works including installation of solar panels and heat pumps, insulation and roofing.

Demand for energy-efficient homes rose in December | Legal & General

Criteria searches for products that consider a property’s energy performance certificate (EPC) increased by 21% in December 2022...

Events

Retrofit continues to expand at Futurebuild 2023 | Specification Online

The Retrofit Academy CIC will be returning to Futurebuild 2023, 7th – 9th March, curating the Retrofit Seminar programme, and at the heart of the thriving Retrofit Zone. The first day will also culminate in the prestigious Retrofit Academy Awards, which will take place on the main stage at 6.30pm...

Glasgow Retrofit Summit

Glasgow City Council are delighted to host the city's third retrofit event with Low Carbon Homes to facilitate knowledge exchange across the city, focusing on retrofit best practice, decarbonisation of homes and its role in supporting local economic recovery.

Skills and Training

Qualifications Wales / Construction and the Built Environment

A ground-breaking change to qualifications for people planning to work in the construction and built environment sector in Wales is being introduced...

Local/Regional Action

Leeds housing estate achieves top energy efficiency rating after £9m retrofit | Inside Housing

The Holtdale estate in Holt Park saw 190 homes refurbished and fitted with low-carbon technology to slash carbon emissions and reduce bills...

ACL Essex is offering fully funded retrofit training in partnership with The Retrofit Academy - Essex Magazine

Those interested in improving the energy efficiency of homes can gain qualifications from Level 2 through to Level 5 that could be fully funded, opening the door to job opportunities in an exciting new industry...

Energy efficiency programme helping to heat homes in Glasgow - Glasgow City Council

Almost 2,500 homes in the city benefited from the programme in 2021/22. In the current financial year, £6.437million is available to deliver the programme in selected areas across Glasgow...

Sign up free for the forthcoming Glasgow Retrofit Summit, AMs, 28 Feb - 2 Mar 2023

Better Homes Loan can help residents improve home safety and energy efficiency | Newsroom

Telford & Wrekin Council and Just Credit Union have joined forces to launch a loan scheme which can help residents make their homes safer and more energy efficient and reduce their bills long term...

Reports, Research, Guides

Heat network zoning social research - GOV.UK

The research assessed the views, attitudes and perspectives of people who may be affected by heat network zoning policy in 6 cities across England, including local authorities, building owners and residents...

Heating and cooling installer study - GOV.UK

This research report sets out the main findings of the study on: characteristics of heating and cooling employers and their workforce; heating and cooling installer archetypes; experiences of and attitudes towards heat pump installation; training, apprenticeships and future skills; standards and accreditation...

'UK needs to splash out extra £5.8bn in energy efficiency to cut bills' - Energy Live News

Households boosted with energy efficiency and low carbon heating measures could save £500 a year from April, according to a report...

Jobs

Research Manager | The Retrofit Academy CIC | LinkedIn

As a Research Manager for TRA you will be responsible for a range of research projects across the breadth of partners we work with. The role will be key in developing and authoring quantitative and qualitative reports looking at the demand for and supply of domestic retrofit skills in the UK; the economic impacts of retrofit developments across specified geographies and current gaps in provision in the retrofit supply chain...

Head of Growth | Furbnow | LinkedIn

Joining Furbnow as Head of Growth is an incredible opportunity to put your skills to practice to have a real impact on delivering the Net Zero agenda...

Director of Research & Analysis | Centre for Sustainable Energy

This is a unique opportunity to take up a senior leadership role in CSE that will shape our research work going forward, maintaining our role as a leading innovator in sustainable energy research and analysis, and influencing UK government policy and energy industry practice around fuel poverty and the climate emergency...

Environment and Energy Project Manager - Suffolk County Council

An opportunity has arisen for an Environment and Energy Project Manager in the council’s Environment Strategy Team, a dynamic group of professionals committed to supporting the council’s response to the Climate Emergency...

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