Performance gap in domestic retrofits

The energy-efficient retrofit of existing building stock has been identified as one potential pathway to a low-carbon future. However, how do we know whether or not we have been successful in reducing energy demand? The lack of evidence for some major retrofit projects in terms of monitoring data represents a missed opportunity to fully understand what works and whether retrofit is achieving its objectives. This will be more important to RICS members in the coming years, given the introduction of the RICS Residential retrofit standard.

This commentary focuses on only domestic retrofit. After introducing the topic, the section covers:

• modelled energy consumption versus actual performance
• energy monitoring
• fabric investigations and
• points for discussion, conclusions and further reading.

This section is maintained by Professor Richard Fitton FRICS of University of Salford.

• RICS standard: Residential retrofit standard
• RICS standard: Whole life carbon assessment (WLCA) for the built environment
• Feature: Energy performance: initiative for new homes
• RICS Journals: Why surveyors should take lead on retrofit work