retrofit

We know the stats:
• the housing stock in the UK is amongst the oldest in Europe.
• approximately 3.5 million occupied homes were not suitable and did not meet the Decent Homes Standard in 2020, with 4% having serious damp issues.
• 32% of category 1 hazards are for excess cold.

Today’s homes are built to a set of standards, but that wasn’t aways the case with older homes. And as the UK has one of the oldest housing stocks in Europe it means that many houses don’t perform at their best. This could be due to poor insulation leading to drafts. Or it could be that solid walls are cold, leading to damp and black spot mould. Another reason could be a build-up of moisture caused by poor ventilation. Moisture is always present in the air – typically from everyday activities such as cooking and breathing – and without suitable ventilation it is attracted to the colder walls, providing a perfect environment for mould spores to grow.

Leading trade retailer ElectricalDirect has added the innovative Radbot 1 Intelligent Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV) from Secure to its expanding range of heating solutions. This new type of heating control has been designed to optimise energy usage which is an ideal solution for those looking to reduce their energy bills in the cost of living crisis.

The easy-to-fit device, now available at ElectricalDirect, can be installed within minutes on any radiator that has an existing thermostatic radiator valve. It is compatible with wet central heating systems, including gas, oil boilers and heat pumps, and works with all standard heating controls and smart thermostats.

The Retrofit Academy (TRA) is working with Open College Network West Midlands and West Midlands Combined Authority to provide Government fully-funded Level 4 and 5 retrofitting courses, saving learners up to £3,000 in course fees. These qualifications are essential for providers to take on public sector contracts for retrofit work, and advance an essential industry to ensure warm, healthy, sustainable homes across the UK.
The online courses support the UK Government’s PAS 2035 certification Initiative, their 2050 net-zero target, and include Domestic Retrofit Assessment and Application, Coordination and Risk Management qualifications. Fully funded places are available via https://retrofitacademy.org/wm

Continuing its commitment to inclusive bathroom solutions, Triton has unveiled its new and improved family of Omnicare thermostatic electric care showers.

The popular Omnicare and Omnicare Design options have been updated to incorporate innovative new features that continue to place user accessibility and safety at the heart of their design.

In line with the wider Omnicare collection, the two upgraded units feature an updated cover design, in addition to a single hand slider to facilitate easy customisation for those with limited dexterity.

As social housing landlords grapple with decarbonisation, the need to invest in the right renewable technology is vital. Big decisions made now are likely to have long-term implications. But with the government still to fully outline the best technologies to make homes more energy efficient, landlords are faced with the quandary of which systems to invest in. They have to balance their journey to net zero with ensuring they don’t make costly mistakes that could catch up with them down the line.

With changes to Part L of the building regulations coming in this year that will affect all new build homes, Stuart Nicholson, roof systems director at Marley, covers key considerations.

We’ve all seen the horror stories around retrofit cavity wall insulation. Every day, new reports of tenants suffering with mouldy walls hit the headlines. These stories often start the same way: “We never had a damp problem until we had new insulation put in…”

The good news is that this wave of penetrating damp in properties with retrofitted cavity wall insulation is entirely preventable. Upskill yourself with all the latest retrofit regulations and methods with Safeguard’s RIBA-approved PAS 2035 and Retrofit Insulation CPD Webinar. Join Product Development Chemist Michael at 1:00 PM on Tuesday 5th April for a masterclass on managing retrofit installation works.