Refurbishment

Refurbishment Generally

The UK Government is committed to cutting UK CO2 emissions by 34% by 2020 and by 80% by 2050. Making the plan work to achieve these targets will depend on individuals, businesses and communities play their part in reducing emissions and adapting to change.

Refurbishment of existing buildings will make up the vast majority of the work that will have to be undertaken between now and 2050, new build making up only a very small percentage of the whole.

Carbon Trust

The Carbon Trust's mission is to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy now and develop commercial low carbon technologies for the future.

  • The Trust helps organisations large and small to cut their carbon emissions and energy bills.
  • They help develop low carbon technologies through partnerships, funding, expert advice and large-scale demonstrations.
  • They create new, low carbon businesses by identifying opportunities and combining skills and resources.
  • They finance emerging clean energy technology businesses that demonstrate commercial potential.

They cater for companies of all sizes, the public sector, trade bodies and organisations looking for investment.

Energy Saving Trust

The Energy Saving Trust  provides free and impartial advice on how to stop wasting energy. This is directed towards Homes, the Public and the Business Sectors and towards Green Communities.

Refurbishment of Homes and Other Buildings

The sequence for the refurbishment of buildings is likely to be as follows:

  • As a first stage, concentrate on improving insulation (so as to minimise heat loss and heat gain) through the roof, external walls, the floor, chimneys, lagging of pipes and through party walls where applicable
  • As a second stage, reduce energy use through low-energy lighting, more efficient appliances (including heating, fridges, washing machines etc.). This stage is likely to be over a long period, as appliances wear out and require replacement.

These are not the only actions that should be considered in the longer term. Consideration should be given to changing to renewable energy sources, to the reduction in water use etc.

In addition to the above, it is incumbent on the users of buildings to find ways of managing them so that energy and water use are conserved to acceptable levels. The challenge to reduce our carbon use by 80% at least (from 1990 levels) is a major challenge, which needs to be taken up by all.

A Centre of Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE) is planned as a living refurbishment demonstrator in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, to meet the challenge of smart and sustainable retrofitting, in order to increase the energy efficiency of current housing and commercial property stock.