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Retrofit Services

We carry out Retrofit Assessments in Brighton, Eastbourne, Worthing and surrounding areas of Sussex Monday to Sunday 8am – 6pm (within daylight hours)​

To book, call 07359 582 151 or email hello@eco-apt.com​​

Alternatively, click on the link below and we’ll get back to you

eco-apt_Retrofit_Assessor

Sussex Based

Accredited Retrofit Assessor

Monday to Sunday Appointments

TRUSTMARK  Registed

What is a Retrofit Assessment?

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Every home that requires an energy retrofit must first be assessed by a Retrofit Assessor who has been trained and qualified in accordance with PAS 2035 and who is certified by a Retrofit Assessor Scheme.   The Retrofit Assessment is completed on-site and is an in-depth assessment of the property, based on 3 key components…

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  • An Energy Report

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  • A Condition Report

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  • An Occupancy Assessment

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These are needed to understand what measures are required to improve the energy efficiency of the home and will be used by a Retrofit Coordinator who will advise on the design, installation and timeframe for the recommendations outlined in your assessment.

 

Our eco-apt Retrofit Assessor is part of the Elmhurst Energy’s Accreditation Scheme, TRUSTMARK registered and fully insured.  The retrofit assessment can take 2-3 hours with the completed report being produced within 3-4 working days following the appointment.

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What are some of the most common types of retrofit?

 

Some of the most common measures identified in a retrofit assessment are:

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  • Upgrading the insulation  -  This can include internal and external wall insulation as well as loft insulation.  The big benefit is that this can help keep a home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer whilst helping to reduce energy bills.

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  • Upgrading the heating system  -  A more efficient heating system can help to reduce energy usage and bills whilst making a home more comfortable to live in.  This type of retrofit is often done in conjunction with upgrading the insulation for maximum energy efficiency.

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  • Adding solar panels  -  As well as having the potential to increase the value of a home, solar panels are a great way to reduce a property's carbon footprint and make it more energy-efficient.

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  • Installing new windows  -  This type of retrofit can make a big difference to the energy efficiency of a home, helping to reduce noise pollution whilst improve the overall appearance of the property.

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  • Installing new doors  -  Another type of retrofit that can help to improve the energy efficiency and appearance of a home.

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What is PAS 2035?

 

PAS 2035 is the standards framework for the end-to-end delivery of domestic retrofit work that came into force following the 2015 government commissioned ‘Each Home Counts’ review.  It provides a whole building approach to the retrofit process, centred around the home’s occupancy, environment and the householder’s improvement objectives when determining what suitable energy efficiency and renewable energy measures to install.

 

PAS 2035 requires that every home requiring an energy retrofit must first be assessed by a retrofit assessor who’ll provide detailed information about the home to a retrofit coordinator.  The government have made clear that any funding they give for energy efficiency measures will need to go through the PAS 2035 process.

 

PAS 2035 does not apply to like-for-like replacement, maintenance or repair of any system already installed in a home that does not improve the energy efficiency, ventilation or carbon dioxide emissions of the property.

 

The 3 components of a Retrofit Assessment

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A Retrofit Assessment consists of three key reports that create an overview of the whole property, its current usage and potential.

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  • Energy Report  -  This report looks at the construction and overall dimensions of the property, including all windows and door openings.  It will include an assessment of the property’s ventilation, heating, hot water and lighting systems and their controls, and look at any energy efficiency measures already installed or proposed.  It will also establish the thermal transmittances (U values) of the building fabrics and the suitability of the property for improvements.  It’s important to note that the Energy Report is NOT an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

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  • Condition Report  -  This survey (not a full structural survey) looks at the overall condition of the property including all internal rooms and loft space.  It is used to identify any signs of defects that could potentially affect any future energy efficiency improvements.  Where defects are found (such as penetrative damp), these should be rectified before any further improvements can be made.  Where it’s identified that the home has built pre-1919, an additional Significant Survey Checklist would be completed.

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  • Occupancy Assessment  -  The key purpose of this assessment is to model how energy is used in the home.  For this, the retrofit assessor will discuss a wide range of topics with the householder such as occupancy, water usage, heating, appliances and cooking, as well as meter readings and energy bills over the previous year to identify any usage patterns.

 

Upon completion, you will be presented a comprehensive report that will include the Energy Report, Occupancy Evaluation and Condition Report, helping you make an informed decision on the potential steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient.

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How we can help

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If you require a retrofit assessment for your property, or if you are a delivery partner or Retrofit Coordinator who requires a retrofit assessment for your project, please contact eco-apt for a quote using the link below.​

  • Why is an EPC needed?
    It’s been a legal requirement since 2008 that if you’re planning to sell or rent out your property, you’ll need an EPC before it goes on the market. An EPC shows potential buyers or tenants how energy efficient your property is. Since 2018 it’s also been a legal requirement for all rented residential properties to have a minimum efficiency rating of E. A valid EPC may also be required as part of the funding process to install energy-efficiency measures such as insulation, solar or heat pumps.
  • What other property types need/don't need an EPC?
    Regarding the following property types… Holiday Lets - Where the property is let out for less than 4 months a year then no EPC is required. HMOs - If the property was originally a home dwelling and then converted into a HMO, but could easily be used again as a single home dwelling again then it will likely need an EPC. However, we recommend contacting your local authority to confirm before arranging an EPC. If the property is a purpose built HMO then it will most likely need a commercial EPC. Standalone buildings - Any standalone building with a total usable floor space of less than 50 square meters that is not a dwelling, does not require an EPC. Lease extensions or renewals - Do not require an EPC. Compulsory purchase orders - No EPC is required. Places of worship - Do not require an EPC In the case of Listed buildings - It’s advisable to first seek advice from your local authority’s conservation officer on whether an EPC is needed.
  • Where can I find my home's EPC report ?
    You can view your home's EPC report on the Gov website: https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate
  • How do I prepare for an EPC?
    You'll need to ensure the domestic energy assessor has access to the outside of the property, all internal rooms, the boiler or hot water cylinder, as well as the loft (if you have one). They'll also need access to the electricity meter and gas meter (if you have gas). You will need to gather any paperwork the energy assessor may require on the day (if applicable to your property): Windows - If you've had windows fitted in the last 15 years have the FENSA certificate available. Extensions / loft conversions - Have the Building Regulations Completion Certificate to hand and the dates when the work was done. External wall insulation - If you've had cavity wall insulation but then had the external walls rendered or repointed, have the warranty or certificate for the work available for the energy assessor. Renewables - If you have solar panels, battery storage or a heat pump, have the MCS certificate and installation paperwork available.
  • What happens on the day of my EPC assessment?
    All EPCs by eco-apt are completed on-site by an Elmhurst Energy accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) and take 35 - 50 minutes depending on the size of the property. We’ll need access to all rooms and the loft space if applicable, as we’ll need to assess key features such as the building type, room sizes, glazing, insulation, heating and hot water systems, as well as heating controls. We create a floorplan to work out the heat loss areas and we take photo evidence for the data we collect. The assessor then inputs their findings into a government approved software which calculates the energy efficiency of the property and what steps can be taken to improve both energy efficiency and the property rating. All assessment data is processed back at the office that same day. Once payment has been received your EPC is then published onto the public register and a link is emailed to you where you can view your EPC on the government's EPC register.
  • How do I pay for my EPC?
    On the day of your EPC assessment we'll email you your invoice. The email will contain a link to our website where you can pay by credit/debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You can also choose to pay via bank transfer but please note bank transfers may take up to 24 hours to complete. Once payment has been received, the EPC is published onto the public register and you'll be sent a link where you can access it.
  • How can I improve my property's rating?
    Your EPC tells you how energy efficient your property is by giving it a rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient), as well as giving recommendations on how to improve your EPC rating. Some recommendations on the EPC such as cavity wall insulation or upgrading your heating system may require more of a financial investment but there may be support available, depending your circumstances. You can find out more information via: https://www.gov.uk/browse/housing-local-services/household-energy However, you could still make some of the recommended improvements yourself, so here are some of the most common recommendations on an EPC: Switch to energy efficient LED lighting - Whilst this won’t make a huge difference to your EPC rating, it’s by far the easiest and least expensive recommendation to do, and should save you money on your energy bill. Insulate your hot water cylinder - A hot water cylinder jacket is relatively inexpensive and should be easy to install. If you already have a jacket fitted around your tank, check it’s thickness. If it’s not at least 80mm thick, consider buying a new one. Heating controls - If you don’t already have heating controls, consider installing them. Heating controls typically consist of a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves for each radiator. If you already have a thermostat, try turning it down by just one degree (for example, from 22 to 21 degrees) to save on your energy bills. Upgrading your loft insulation - If you are DIY minded and your loft is easy to access and has no damp or condensation problems, you may want to consider topping up your loft insulation if it’s less than the recommended 270mm thickness.
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