Whether you own a home or a commercial property, there will come a time when development is required on the building. Although buildings are designed and developed with a long-term life cycle in mind, refurbishment is always needed at some point, and at this time, there are many options to consider. Retrofitting a building is one way to modify the existing development to meet your current and future goals in a manner that is more environmentally friendly. The benefits of retrofitting create an extensive list, and for anyone considering a renovation, an introduction to retrofitting will increase your options and enhance the building further than just aesthetic appeal.
Sustainability is often a key goal, especially for businesses and retrofitting is a way to make substantial changes to a building in an eco-friendly manner that will improve the building’s energy efficiency. With the UK currently in line to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 as part of a global agreement, it is crucial to stay ahead of the times and ensure that buildings have a low environmental impact. Retrofitting is one way that building owners can enhance energy performance, reducing running costs and reducing their environmental impact.
When Thames Freeport announced plans to retrofit more than 5 million homes, it brought the idea of retrofitting to the attention of the public. As well as their aims to support the community through the addition of local jobs to the community and providing businesses with faster access to goods and services, Thames Freeport is also a leader in sustainable construction. Creating cheaper and more efficient homes that benefit the consumers directly through lower energy bills, the freeport is a huge supporter of retrofitting as a solution for improving energy efficiency.
What is Retrofitting?
The definition of retrofitting is to install new or modified parts in something previously manufactured or constructed. In the construction industry, this involves adapting a building after its development and adding modifications at a later date. Retrofitting is an effective way to adapt an older building, and when sustainable materials and energy-efficient upgrades are used, it can significantly reduce environmental impact. Not only is retrofitting a way to change a building with consideration for the environment, but most of the typical modifications to a building are to improve its sustainability by improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and conserving water.
Examples of Retrofitting
Retrofitting a building covers a wide range of adaptations and modifications, but many of the most common involve improving the building’s sustainability. While modern buildings are developed with sustainability in mind, this was not a concern for older construction. Retrofitting is one way to bring buildings up to current standards and meet sustainable goals without the need for demolishing. Changing the existing building is a more eco-friendly way to get the final result you require, and implementing the following retrofit areas helps to maintain the sustainability of the building in the long term.
Renewable Energy
One of the most common ways to retrofit is for renewable energy. There is no doubt that renewable energy is an investment, but the long-term benefits, both financially and environmentally, outweigh the initial expense. Solar panels are a relatively low-maintenance way to generate renewable energy, requiring occasional cleaning and system monitoring to ensure optimal efficiency. Solar panels are a low-maintenance way to add renewable energy to a building. However, larger developments can also implement wind turbines as an alternative form of renewable energy.
Upgrading Heating Systems
Older heating systems can be outdated and inefficient, resulting in expensive utility bills and higher carbon footprints. Newer models that operate more efficiently can not only heat and cool the building efficiently, they can also reduce both financial and environmental impacts. Heat pumps, solar water heating and smart thermostats allow for optimal energy use, helping to both reduce energy consumption and generate renewable energy.
New Insulation
One of the best ways to improve the energy efficiency of a building is by upgrading its insulation. Heating needs will be reduced with good insulation, resulting in a lower carbon footprint and lower heating costs by making it easier to heat and retain heat for longer. Eco-friendly insulation options such as wool, cellulose, hemp, and recycled materials are becoming increasingly popular in both new builds and retrofit projects.
Smart Lighting
A cheaper alternative to traditional lighting is smart lighting, and introducing this to buildings can improve energy efficiency. By replacing lighting with LEDs and introducing smart technology such as motion sensors, light level dimmers and voice control, smart lighting can help to reduce energy consumption, resulting in a lower carbon footprint and costs.
Water Conservation
Water scarcity is a global concern, so it is often a focus during retrofitting to implement water conservation. Rainwater harvesting is an increasingly adopted method for conserving water, involving a roof collection system with tank storage for irrigation, toilet flushing, and other non-potable uses. Greywater recycling can also be introduced, although it is a larger project, a method of lightly treating and reusing water for non-drinking purposes.
Window Replacement
For older buildings, window replacement is one of the most important ways to improve the energy performance of a building. Replacing single-pane windows with double glazing dramatically improves the insulation of a building by reducing heat loss. This makes it easier to heat the building and allows it to retain heat for longer, improving energy efficiency.
What are the Benefits of Retrofitting?
Retrofitting offers widespread benefits, including cost savings for property owners, improved energy efficiency, and a reduced environmental impact. Larger-scale retrofits can also contribute to local community benefits such as better air quality and job creation. Most importantly, retrofitting increases the sustainability of a building, making it more environmentally friendly. However, there are other secondary benefits, particularly financially, that make retrofitting a great option.
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of retrofitting is extremely significant and helps support global goals to reduce carbon emissions to tackle climate change. Retrofitting improves a building’s energy efficiency, and when water-saving technologies are included, it also helps conserve water and preserve scarce resources for future generations. Building retrofits are incredibly successful in positively impacting the environment, benefiting both the local community and global environmental goals.
Utility Savings
The consumer benefits greatly from a retrofit with huge financial savings on utility bills. By improving the energy efficiency of a property through efficient heating systems, better insulation and smart lighting, energy prices are lowered, and consumers are protected from energy price increases. Although using renewable energy is a high cost initially, the long-term benefits of a building producing its energy are financially significant.
Increased Property Value
With the global population moving towards eco-friendly infrastructure, retrofits increase the property value of both residential and commercial buildings. A high-energy performance increases the resale value of a building and makes a retrofit worthwhile.
Tax Relief
There are often many tax incentives associated with operating more eco-friendly and energy-efficient buildings, which makes retrofitting a great option, particularly for businesses. Many incentives help towards retrofitting, which can help to improve a building without the financial burden that comes with it. In the UK, various government schemes and financial incentives, such as tax relief, grants, and green financing options, may be available to support retrofitting projects. Programmes like the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), and Green Finance initiatives help offset retrofitting costs, though eligibility criteria and availability vary.
