Retrofit Review

Welcome to the new issue

Hello everyone

Good to be back with you for the new issue this week. Lots to share with you, as always. Going to kick off by plugging Retrofit Action Week (RAW) West Midlands coming up in a very few weeks 😀 Loads of people signing up for the genuinely fantastic range of activities being posted now on the RAW Activity Hub.

Many other things are also happening in the world of housing retrofit of course. In this issue >> call for reduction in mouldy unsafe homes - energy efficiency 'patriotism' - EU energy efficiency coalition - Somerset retrofit collaboration - new training centre - life-size model of household showcases new tech - events and activities - importance of installers - tax cuts for energy efficient landlords - new tech simplifies retrofit planning - boiler tax refund woes 🥴

Stay informed. Read on, retrofitters...

📰 News & Opinion

Why is making UK homes more efficient so difficult? | FT

FT journalist writes >> "Last month, I went on a jungle safari with a difference. My aim was to discover how UK homeowners might slash through a thicket of advice to cut their energy bills and carbon emissions, amid an angry national debate on climate change policy. This took me to the UK’s first national retrofit conference, held in London..."

(Link takes you to FT's subscription paywall - whilst this is annoying, the article's a good read)

Big boiler manufacturers cannot guarantee 'boiler tax' refund for 'ripped off' customers | Business News | Sky News

Three of the 'big four' boiler manufacturers for the UK cannot guarantee customers will be refunded the so-called "boiler tax" that companies added to new boilers earlier this year. In January boiler-makers hiked costs by up to an extra £120 per boiler to cover anticipated penalties for a green scheme - which has now been delayed.

Hodge launches innovative one-stop-shop for energy efficiency - IFA Magazine

Specialist lender Hodge has joined forces with Propflo, an award-winning PropTech startup, with the aim of helping customers make their properties more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Propflo’s data-backed property platform ‘GreenVal’ has been designed to take the complexity out of retrofitting. Taking into account different property locations, types and budgets, the platform provides a simple, online view of improvement options a homeowner can select to achieve a more energy-efficient home.

Give landlords tax breaks to make 'Europe's leakiest homes' more energy efficient and cut bills for renters | Daily Mail Online

Tory MPs are pushing the government to give domestic landlords tax cuts if they make their homes more energy efficient in order to cut bills and make the UK less reliant on foreign gas. Jeremy Hunt is being urged to give incentives to retrofit improvements including to insulation to improve the UK housing stock, which has been called the leakiest in Europe

Why plumbing and heating installers are essential to successful retrofit and renovation - Renewable Energy Installer & Specifier

In the light of the recent announcement by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) that the requirement for loft or cavity insulation will be removed from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), reducing the imperative for energy efficiency improvements, RWC’s Richard Bateman, Product Marketing Manager for Plumbing and Heating, explores the importance of retrofit and renovation – and why heating and plumbing installers have a leading role to play.

Retrofit Action Week 2024

West Midlands retrofit action is gearing up

You may already be aware that Retrofit Action Week (RAW) is coming to the West Midlands for the first time next month (11-19 May)! RAW aims to maximise communication about retrofit action in the region and provide the widest range of knowledge-sharing opportunities.

Join one - or several - of the 🆓 RAW activities coming up, including our own flagship RAW event, the Birmingham Retrofit Summit (nearly 200 registered so far) + visit a live retrofit project site with Equans - meet residents in their retrofitted homes with Birmingham Green Doors,- drop-in for home energy advice with Solihull MBC - underfloor heating CPD webinar with Leca - join Balsall Heath Retrofit Action community day +++ more activities being listed every day. All free to attend.

Visit the RAW Hub for info and registration

Good Energy sponsors The Festival of Sustainable Homes - ACR Journal

Good Energy has been announced as the official sponsor of The Festival of Sustainable Homes. The event, due to be held in Swindon on Friday and Saturday 17-18th May, is expected to attract thousands of people from across the South West. The family-friendly show at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre will feature more than 200 exhibitors offering advice and information on how to make homes more sustainable, together with inspiring talks and educational tours. It will also feature a nature zone shining a spotlight on charities and other organisations working to protect the environment.

RAW activity

Private & blended finance retrofit: lessons from a pioneering partnership Tickets, Wed, May 15, 2024 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

Join Sustainable Housing Action Partnership (SHAP) for the second in their series of ‘Innovative retrofit finance models’ Lunch & Learn's. Hear from Matt Ferretti (Head of Partnerships, Green Finance Institute) and Todd Holden (Energy Policy and Programmes Lead, Greater Manchester Combined Authority) who will be sharing the learnings from their collaboration in Greater Manchester to deliver financial solutions that unlock funding for owner-occupied and privately rented homes.

RAW activity

The Home Upgrade Show

Green Economy | Raising the profile of green tech innovators at The Home Upgrade Show

Thermocill, based in Altrincham, provide an innovative heating product designed to direct heat from radiators up against window panes, creating a curtain of warmth in front of glazing. The business approached Green Economy for support and have worked to increase their market profile at events and create a unique exhibition at the Green Skills Academy (GSA). Read more about Thermocill at The Home Upgrade Show, Manchester 2023.

“Inside the GSA there’s a life-size model of a household environment,” explains Ashley. “Inside and out, it’s fitted with green technology products that can be used in a domestic and commercial setting to cut carbon and save on energy. I saw a great opportunity for Thermocill’s product to be installed inside.”

The Home Upgrade Show returns to Manchester this October

👷🏽‍♀️👷🏽‍♂️ Skills and Training

The Retrofit Hub opens new training centre

The Retrofit Hub is developing practical-led training courses to upskill the industry and ensure all retrofit is done properly. The dedicated retrofit training venue in Manchester is set to deliver practical, immersive retrofit training, developed by retrofit professionals for professionals. Training is focused on challenges and practical solutions using real life examples and fundamental principles. Bookings are now open.

NICEIC calls for trades to come together to lead | Voltimum

Amid increased focus on the challenge of improving the energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock, NICEIC is calling on all trades to come together to enable the meaningful collaboration and innovation needed to solve the great retrofit challenge.

🤩 Local/Regional Action

Thermly partners with Retrofit Somerset to pave the way for installation of heat pumps

Green tech company, Thermly, announces the launch of its partnership with Retrofit Somerset, a long-term collaboration that will support the installation of heat pumps into homes, benefitting up to 40,000 homeowners. This first-of-its-kind project will pave the way for a large-scale, Somerset-wide roll-out of heat pump installations in homes. Initial phases will focus on rural locations in the southeast of Somerset in areas already agreed with Retrofit Somerset, with planned expansion into the whole of the county in due course.

🌍 International

Launch of energy efficiency coalition seeks to fill investment gap | Euronews

Implementation of EU laws to slash energy use and increase efficiency in the bloc’s building stock will require a great amount of financing, according to EU officials. The European Commission today (April 22) launched a European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition to mull ways to finance the implementation of EU legislation designed to reduce energy consumption by linking member states with financial institutions.

💬 Reports, Research, Guides

Homes with heat pumps and EVs are more ‘energy patriotic’, analysis claims | BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Households with insulation and clean tech such as heat pumps and electric cars are more “energy patriotic” as they rely far less on imported fuels, a think tank has claimed. Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found homes using heat pumps, insulation and electric vehicles make more use of British energy and use less than half the imported fuel of a household reliant on gas and petrol.

Charities call on government to halve the number of dangerous homes in England | The Independent

Rishi Sunak’s government should halve the number of mouldy and unsafe homes within the next decade to stop the scandal of poor quality buildings ruining people’s health, a coalition of charities has said. Nine charities, including St John’s Ambulance and The Runnymede Trust, are calling for national action over cold, damp homes – with a survey showing that one in four people are worried about the impact their unsuitable homes are having on their family’s health.

⏭ Coming up

That's it for this issue

Next issue out 8 May - a RAW West Midlands 'Preview Issue' no doubt! Don't forget to register for a RAW activity - RAW week is a wonderful opportunity to learn, collaborate and take action, with online and in-person activities to join - all free.

Everyone's invited - whatever your role, project or experience. Hope to see you there.

Thanks for reading. 'Til next time.

📢 Media Partner

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