Retrofit case studies

Read the case studies below to discover the benefits of retrofitting for both residential and commercial properties.

Homes

These case studies explore the retrofitting of a terraced flat in Queens Park and a social housing block in Waltham Forrest.

Victorian terrace flat, Queen’s Park

The project cost was £40,000 and took 4 weeks to complete. The EPC rating of the flat improved from D to B.

The retrofit introduced several improvements, including: 

  • Lower energy bills: The homeowners annual bill was reduced from £1,400 to nearly zero
  • Reduced carbon emissions: Emissions from the property decreased from 2.5 tonnes to 0 tonnes
  • Reduced energy demand: Energy demand was reduced through draught proofing, insulation, and upgraded windows and doors
  • New heating system: The existing gas boiler was replaced with an air source heat pump
  • New solar panels: Solar panels were installed to generate on-site electricity

Read more about the Victorian terrace flat retrofit.

Social housing block of 40 flats, Waltham Forest

The project benefited from investment nearing £4 million.

The EPC ratings of the flats improved significantly. Initially, the ratings were 22 flats with a C rating, 9 with a D rating, 8 with an E rating, and 1 with an F rating. After improvements, the ratings changed to 12 flats with a B rating and 28 with a C rating.

The retrofit introduced several improvements, including:

  • Lower energy bills: The council's energy expenses were reduced by £17,000 per year
  • Reduced carbon emissions: The block achieved significant carbon savings of 74.5 tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year
  • Resident comfort: Residents reported significantly improved thermal comfort

Read more about the social housing block retrofit.

Businesses

These case studies explore the retrofitting of a Grade II listed building in Manchester and a hotel in Bristol.

Pall Mall, Manchester

The project involves a deep retrofit of Pall Mall, a Grade II listed building in Manchester City Centre. 

Although still ongoing, it aims to achieve a 74% reduction in energy use, an EPC upgrade from G to A, and a 100% increase in rental value.

The retrofit is introducing several improvements, including:

  • New heating system: The existing gas heating is being replaced with a hybrid variable refrigerant flow (HVRF) system, with an air source heat pump (ASHP) serving domestic hot water and air handling unit (AHU) coils
  • New facade and glazing: A new facade and glazing system is being installed to minimise solar gain and reduce the energy required for cooling
  • Reduced carbon emissions: The new heating system will lower overall carbon emissions and enable the building to achieve zero carbon as grid emissions decrease

Read more about the Pall Mall retrofit.

Leonardo Hotel, Bristol

The project involved converting the hotel to a fully electric system, with heating, cooling, and hot water provided by air source heat pumps and mains electricity.

The retrofit introduced several improvements, including:

  • Fully electric hotel: The heating and cooling system was upgraded to be all-electric, with hot water generated by a roof mounted heat pump
  • Efficient systems: The new hybrid variable refrigerant flow (HVRF) system provides heating and cooling with 40 to 50% less refrigerant than conventional systems. It is also adaptable and can use a range refrigerants as new options emerge
  • Wellbeing focus: Internal spaces have been designed to improve the wellbeing of guests and staff
  • Waste management: 95% of the on site waste is now diverted from landfill through new reuse and recycling systems
  • Insulation and passive design: New insulation and passive design measures, such as solar shading, have been introduced to reduce cooling demand and prevent overheating
  • Improved indoor air quality: Air quality has been improved by using low VOC emitting materials and installing a ventilation system to filter out particulate matter
  • New acoustic controlling glazing: New windows have been installed to improve daylight and views, with high acoustic control to minimise noise
  • Ecological enhancements: The site's biodiversity has benefited from new and thoughtfully considered planting schemes, the addition of bird boxes, and the creation of drought-resilient landscapes
  • Water efficiency: The property's main water usage was reduced by 40% through the installation of low-flow fixtures and fittings
  • Sustainable drainage: New draining systems have been installed to capture water run-off and withstand future flood scenarios

Read more about the Leonardo Hotel retrofit.