Russell Smith, founder and managing director of Ecofurb, discusses the carbon efficiency of the UK’s housing stock.
The post Rebuilding trust in home energy efficiency appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today. 
Russell Smith, founder and managing director of Ecofurb, discusses the carbon efficiency of the UK’s housing stock
The UK’s journey towards net zero depends on making our homes more energy-efficient.
With our current housing stock responsible for around 17% of the country’s emissions, retrofitting is vital not just for achieving a low carbon economy but also means lower household bills and more comfortable homes. However, the sector is facing a crisis of trust – one that could stall progress at a time when we need it most.
Solid wall insulation firms have been suspended after sub-par installations
The government recently suspended 39 businesses for substandard solid wall insulation delivered under previous retrofit schemes, which led to a review of the failures. Homeowners have not only been let down and left to fix the costly mistakes themselves, but it’s also led to a growing distrust in energy efficiency measures.
If we’re serious about delivering large-scale home energy improvements, we must ensure the same mistakes aren’t repeated and put a robust process in place that rebuilds trust.
A single national body to oversee standards
Right now, our industry has a confusing and unwieldy network of organisations – from accreditation bodies and trade associations to government initiatives – each with its own set of rules, processes, and accountability structures. For consumers, it’s a minefield to navigate, and it makes it difficult for homeowners to know where to turn for trusted advice. It is even more of a challenge if they need support to resolve substandard work.
We need to streamline the process by having one central body that is responsible for setting and enforcing retrofit standards which cover all home energy efficiency measures. A redress framework should sit under this national body so that any poor-quality work can be quickly resolved.
Better auditing and quality control of installations
Whether a retrofit project is financed through a government grant or through the homeowner’s own savings, they need assurance that the work is going to be done properly. This must start with mandatory audits across all projects that are assessed against a universal quality standard.
Auditing and quality control checks must be done independently of the installer, as the current reliance on self-certification means companies are often marking their own homework. This is where poor-quality work can slip through.
We shouldn’t be in a position where poor work is discovered months or years later by the homeowner – at which point, it becomes even more difficult for them to get the work rectified by the installer.
A robust auditing system will catch any failures early, preventing them from becoming expensive and disruptive issues for homeowners further down the line. The data should also be publicly available, enabling homeowners to make informed choices based on previous installer performance.
Stronger accountability for companies delivering retrofit work
While quality control is essential, we also need tougher consequences for the companies that do fail homeowners.
Right now, rogue installers can shut down and reopen under new names and continue to operate in spite of a history of poor work. Homeowners left with faulty installations face huge repair costs and have little chance of getting compensation.
Having one single trade body will play a vital role in holding installers accountable, and this should include stronger enforcement, including banning repeat offenders from working in the industry.
We also need mandatory warranties on retrofit work, so it is the responsibility of the installer to fix any problems with their substandard work, and it shouldn’t be at the expense of the homeowner.
Independent advice before installations
One of the key issues raised during the government’s recent review of retrofit failures was the lack of advice given to homeowners prior to installation.
Retrofit isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision and requires a considered and tailored assessment of many factors of the home to identify the energy efficiency measures that are most appropriate. From its structure and current energy performance to protecting heritage and architectural features and working within planning restrictions, without proper guidance, homeowners could end up with solutions that are unsuitable for their homes and may even cause unintended issues.
The solution is to provide independent, impartial and tailored advice from trusted experts who are there for the homeowner from the beginning to the end of the retrofit project. This way, homeowners can feel well-informed at every stage of the retrofit journey, meaning they are far more likely to invest in retrofit work with confidence.
Rebuilding trust is critical for net zero
Without rebuilding trust in energy efficiency measures, the UK’s quest for net zero by 2050 is at serious risk. If homeowners feel that retrofitting is a risky investment, they won’t consider it until they are forced to. This won’t just impact our net zero targets but could also make people’s homes ‘energy liabilities’ and those with a poor energy efficiency rating become unsellable. We could see a repeat of the 1980s, where homes without central heating were undesirable or required a significant reduction in the selling price.
This isn’t just about climate action, but also about protecting homeowner’s investments. We need to help homeowners understand that improving their home’s energy efficiency will increase its value, lower their bills and enhance their comfort.
The UK cannot afford another wave of poorly executed retrofits. By prioritising quality control in the industry, accountability and a streamlined regulatory system, we can ensure homeowners feel confident investing in energy efficiency improvements. This is the only way we can continue to make meaningful progress toward our low-carbon future.
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