Events

When looking for new solutions in retrofit, conventional procurement through detailed specifications may not work. A better approach is open dialogue between buyers and sellers. Buyers want to explore possibilities, and suppliers need to understand the challenge. We will explore ways to overcome barriers and provide tools and approaches for more effective partnerships.

Citizens Advice is a network of charities helping more than 2.5 million people every year, providing free, independent and impartial advice. One of the topics they advise on is energy advice. In addition to installing capital measures a retrofit project is a real opportunity to provide more general energy support. In this session Rajni Nair, Programme Manager, Energy Advice Strategy, will discuss the services they offer and how it might be relevant for your next retrofit project. This may include topics such as energy tariff advice, smart meters, energy debt support, engaging with vulnerable residents and more.

Tuesday 24 September, 1.30-4.30pm and Thursday 26 September, 9am-12pm: Calling all Housing Associations, Local Authorities, Combined Authorities and the Supply Chain to join us for a two-part CPD accredited online course. Retrofit Essentials will equip you with the building blocks you need to create and deliver a successful retrofit project. This event will feature presentations from experts, opportunities to ask questions and workshop with peers.

The objectives of this session are to help you: (1) Understand the historical context, function, and moisture risks of Suspended Timber Floors. (2) Be alert to the sources of damp and mould indoors, and aware of the merits & limitations of existing mitigations. (3) Be able to assess key considerations for Indoor Air Quality, ventilation and airtightness for Suspended Timber Floors. (4) Recognise the impact of under floor insulation on heat loss, appreciating the need for air tightness. (5) Understand the impact of retrofitting on Radon gas exposure and strategies to mitigate. It will be delivered by Tom Lipinski, Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder at Q-Bot.

This introductory masterclass acts as a complete beginners guide to retrofitting, introducing the key terms and concepts required. We will cover the background of retrofitting and why it is important, along with more technical information such as the methodology of measuring energy efficiency. Finally we will discuss the required roles and responsibilities for a retrofit project, as well as the variety of funding options and support available.

Insulation, including air-tightness measures, must be considered in conjunction with the provision of adequate ventilation to ensure good indoor air quality and to protect the building fabric. The topic would cover external wall insulation (EWI), internal wall insulation (IWI), cavity wall insulation, roof and underfloor insulation plus ventilation strategies including why and when each is used.

Join us for a project showcase and lessons learnt from Waltham Forest and Aston Group's joint presentation on their SHDF Wave 1 project at Southfield Court. Tony Antonioni, Electrical & Energy Contract Manager at Waltham Forest Conucil, Claudio Rizzi, Head of Mechanical and Electrical at Waltham Forest Council and Julie Dunn, Strategic Communications Manager at Aston Group will present on this project. This SHDF project transformed a four-storey, 40-flat hostel into sustainable housing for vulnerable residents. The 40 flats hold a population of 75% female residents aged 20-70 years old who have experienced eviction, homelessness and other life eventualities many with small children. The project was supported by funding from the Carbon Offset Fund, which facilitated mechanical updates, supplemented by the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF Wave 1) and Waltham Forest Council's capital expenditure. This culminated in investment nearing £4 million.

This session considers the role and responsibilities of the Retrofit Coordinator. This role, introduced by PAS 2035, is required for every project delivered under the SHDF. This webinar will explain how Coordinators are trained and accredited, and how they are supposed to practice. It will also consider the different models for social landlords procuring Coordinators and how conflicts of interest can be managed.

Damp and mould pose significant health risks for occupants which impacts living conditions and the overall quality of housing. In this webinar, we will discuss how implementing a proactive approach towards housing maintenance can help minimise risk, in addition to exploring the use of appropriate construction materials, insulation, ventilation and moisture control techniques through a “fabric first” approach towards retrofit helping eliminate damp and mould. We will also explore how the sector is currently managing the issue, particularly in response to the Regulator for Social Housing’s recently published initial findings report and subsequent changes through The Social Housing (Regulation) Bill, including the expectations for social housing providers and residents alike through Awaab’s Law.