Retrofit Assessment
A Retrofit Assessment is an in-depth assessment of a property. This information is then used to generate an energy report or an EPC, a condition report, an occupancy report and a series of recommendations specific to your property.
The assessment includes:
- an appraisal of the dwelling’s heritage, architectural features, structure, construction and condition and the installed building services (ventilation, heating, hot water and lighting) in sufficient detail to establish the suitability of the dwelling for improvement.
- identification of any constraints imposed by the local planning authority (including requirements for planning permission, listing of special architectural or historic interest, conservation area constraints, tree preservation orders, etc.).
- identification of the location and severity of any existing construction defects or structural defects or leaks, and of any condensation and/or mould growth in the dwelling.
- identification of any energy efficiency measures already installed or proposed.
- a measured survey to establish the overall dimensions of the dwelling’s heat loss envelope (including any basements and attics), the dimensions of all building elements (exposed floors, external walls, roofs, etc) and the dimensions of all window and door openings.
- borescope survey of the cavities in walls where appropriate to assess the condition and size of the cavities and to establish if cavity wall insulation is present.
- an appraisal of the dwelling’s construction in sufficient detail to establish the thermal transmittances (U values) and moisture properties of the main building elements (exposed floors, walls and roofs) and the suitability of the dwelling for improvement.
- identification of the installed building services (ventilation, heating, hot water and lighting systems and their controls).
Why get a retrofit assessment?
Any energy efficiency measures undertaken should only ever be carried out on a healthy house. Issues such as damp walls or decaying timbers should always be addressed before any energy efficiency measures are introduced. The retrofit assessor will check for defects to ensure that recommended energy efficiency measures are suitable for your property.
This information, along with detailed measurements of your property can then be used by a retrofit coordinator to draw up energy efficiency retrofit plans for your home.
Please note that retrofit assessments are not a buildings survey or homebuyers report and should not be used in place of these surveys.