TECHNICAL FOCUS
BUILDING NET ZERO: THE BENEFITS OF DATADRIVEN DECISIONS FOR HOUSING RETROFITS The decarbonisation of the built environment, responsible for almost 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, understandably remains a fundamental focus for the construction industry. Stewart Little, Managing Director of IRT Surveys, outlines how the solution is deep-rooted in innovation and technology, and explores the benefits of data-driven decisions in retrofit projects. nation’s path to A snetthezero continues its acceleration – backed by key reports such as the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution, the Construction Leadership Council’s long-awaited National Retrofit Strategy and the Green Finance Institute’s Financing energy-efficient buildings: the path to retrofit at scale consultative document – an overhaul of the energy performance of the UK’s existing building stock has become even more imperative. Undeniably, a critical element of achieving net zero will be reducing carbon emissions from existing buildings. This is
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acutely clear when you consider that 80% of buildings expected to be occupied in 2050 have already been built, with these properties anticipated to represent a staggering 95% of future built environment emissions.
Addressing the fabric of the built environment What has become evidently clear, therefore, is major infrastructure decisions need to be made in the near future and implemented at pace in order to forge ahead with eradicating construction’s contribution to climate change by 2050, particularly for affordable housing. In 2020, around four million houses were occupied by households socially renting, representing a total of almost 16.7% of all households. Reducing emissions to net zero for this sector will require retrofit work that is expected to be in the region of £104bn by 2050, making it a sizeable and costly venture, and one that has become a matter of greatest importance for the construction industry. Given the scale of the retrofit challenge, having a comprehensive plan in place will undeniably support the existing workforce in delivering the ambitious programme which could
transform the housing stock and address the fabric of the built environment itself. While the pathway to decarbonisation has a clear destination and starting point, fundamental to its success is understanding and agreeing upon the best, most optimal route to get there. This is where the value of data comes to the fore, arming the industry with critical insights that facilitate smarter decision making.
The power of data The challenge for any retrofit or refurbishment is firstly identifying the issues inherent in existing properties, how much investment will be required to remedy it and if it will deliver a reasonable return on investment (ROI). It is this regard that data, when paired with accurate visual insights into the condition of buildings – driven by leading-edge technologies, such as infrared thermal imaging – can be deployed to great effect. A housing survey underpinned by thermal imaging that doesn’t damage the building fabric – thereby creating more expensive problems – can deliver significant value. Such surveys have the ability to reveal
