The UK government has set an ambitious target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the housing sector by 2050. 

When it comes to retrofitting (the process of upgrading and renovating older buildings) it's widely regarded that a "Fabric First" approach is a game changer. This focuses on enhancing a building's envelope, insulation, and ventilation systems to reduce energy consumption and hence optimising the building itself BEFORE moving on to non-fabric enhancements.

SWIGA would agree that this is the right way to approach domestic retrofit - it seems simple common sense that the first principle for low energy homes should be to reduce the energy demand by making sure all the fabric elements are achieving the highest standards – fabric first and only once these passive measures are in place then improvements to such things as heating and ventilation technology can be considered. 

At the start of the year INCA, the representative trade association for the external wall insulation industry, published their "3 Core Messages For Retrofit". Top of this list was a call to "Prioritise a focus on the Fabric First approach" ...

"INCA supports a robust Fabric First approach to retrofit which prioritises the energy efficiency of a building envelope over all other energy efficiency measures to maximise the positive impact of all current and future retrofit programmes to 2050".

It would appear that message fell on deaf ears as, on the 14th March, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced they were making heat pumps cheaper and easier to install through changes to the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme meaning that homeowners would no longer have to install cavity wall or loft insulation to use the scheme, which offers grants of £7,500 off the cost of heat pump installation. 

They stated that:

"Removing mandatory cavity wall and loft insulation could reduce the costs associated with installing a heat pump on a semi-detached property by around £2,500, making it easier for homeowners to switch from gas boilers in a way that works for them, while still cutting emissions".  

Numerous respected industry voices and bodies were quick to respond and voice their concerns to this shift in approach. 

Andrew Warren, Chair of the British Energy Efficiency Federation said: 

"Installing heat pumps without proper regard for fabric improvement will lead to problems in the future".

And in a letter to DESNZ (which pulled no punches) he went on to state:

"The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is now deliberately encouraging householders to ignore all recommendations included in a home’s Energy Performance Certificate EPCs) .
Such recommendations are intended to show the most cost effective ways in which the energy efficiency of a home can be improved. Well over half of the homes in Britain already have a current EPC, required whenever occupancy alters, either via sales or new leases.
The advice tendered by the specialist EPC assessors concentrates upon improving the energy performance of the building itself, in order to reduce fuel bills that have doubled in real terms over the past three years. To date, no EPC assessor in the residential sector has ever recommended that a householder install a heat pump in order to reduce fuel bills".

...

"What is clear is that, throughout the construction industry, there is now widespread concern about the consequences of heat pumps being installed without proper regard for consequent fabric improvements. This is simply storing up problems for the future. Every responsible heat pump manufacturer has always appreciated this concomitant requirement".

The National Insulation Association stated:

"We are disappointed to see that the Government has decided to remove minimum insulation requirements from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Minimum insulation requirements are vital to:
·       Protect residents from high energy prices
·       Increase the efficiency and reduce the running costs of heat pumps
·       Reduce the cost of future electricity grid expansion

The high electricity to gas price ratio means that insulation measures which reduce energy demand and bills are critical to ensure an affordable and just transition to electrified low carbon heating. With energy prices set to remain high for years to come, a fabric-first approach is the best way to safeguard residents from unaffordable heating bills.

Retaining the minimum insulation requirements in BUS would enable residents to benefit from cheaper energy bills and warmer, healthier homes in the long term".

Since then more and more industry concerns continue to be raised and the calls to get back to fabric first retrofit increase. SWIGA system designer Alsecco being the latest to voice their concerns stating the Goverment descision to remove the mandatory requirement for loft and cavity insulation from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme as:

 “short-sighted” and “undermines the impact that carbon reduction initiatives will have in the long term, instead reinforcing a ‘fabric first’ approach as the most effective way to cut energy consumption on a long-term basis”.

Alsecco go on to say that:

"removing the insulation requirement to reduce the cost to the homeowner flies in the face of the move to make buildings more thermally efficient".

Alsecco UK managing director Dean Broughton:

“Buildings need to be constructed with energy efficiency in mind, there is no doubt about that, and upgrading existing homes to be more thermally efficient is vital if we are to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment.

“However, quick fixes to boost specific targets, such as increasing the uptake of heat pumps, cannot be done at the expense of seeing the bigger picture. Homes that are constructed – or retrofitted – to be more thermally efficient will use less energy over their lifetime. Insulation is integral to this.

“The pitfalls of poorly insulated homes are well known – and addressing heat loss and dealing with condensation will require more energy use down the line.

“We strongly believe that a fabric first approach is needed to build homes that are fit for a more sustainable future, where thermal protection is built in to maintain a comfortable living environment.”

So, let's get back to retrofitting the right way ... optimise the insulation (in whatever form is right for the building) and ventilation of the very fabric of the building itself and only then  move on to other energy efficiency enhancement measures.

After all OFGEM official guidance states that:

"It is important that property owners understand that heat pumps perform best in a well-insulated property". 

Says it all really!