The language of retrofit, part 1
Introduction
The subject of retrofit is often technical, and can include lots of terms that could be defined as ‘jargon’. When you’re talking to residents about possible changes to their home to make it warmer and more energy efficient, the words you use can make a world of difference to how likely it is that they’ll agree to work taking place.
Residents are often keen to understand the details of what you’re proposing to do to their property, and getting into the detail of what will take place can really support their engagement. However, it’s important that you use language that is common to non-retrofit professionals, so terminology doesn’t become a barrier to deeper understanding.
As part of our ‘language of retrofit’ series, we’ve put together some of the most commonly used ‘technical terms’, and their more accessible alternatives.
Contents
A is for air tightness
Talking about ‘air tightness’ can be misleading for residents, and can raise some concerns. In reality, this is about keeping unwanted draughts out and warm air in, and is a really important part of keeping a home comfortable when it’s combined with proper ventilation, so try explaining it in this way if you find people need more of an explanation.
A is for assessment
Assessing a property is a fundamental part of any retrofit plan, but it can sound overly formal and may be concerning to some. Explain that the assessment is about a qualified retrofit professional checking all parts of a building’s condition, to find what needs improving to make the space warmer, healthier, and more energy efficient.
B is for building fabric
Whilst a commonly used term in retrofit, few people use ‘building fabric’ in everyday life. Instead, you can talk about all the core parts of a building, like walls, roof, floors, windows and doors.
B is for behaviour change
Retrofit works best when people also change their behaviour around how they use energy. But few of us use terms like this, so instead, explain that simple changes, like turning off lights or lowering the thermostat can help people get the very most from any retrofit work that is carried out in the home.
C is for cold bridging
Cold bridging is a technical term, describing when heat takes a shortcut out of a building through a material that’s more conductive than the insulation around it. Steel beams, concrete lintels and some window frames can all be ‘cold bridges’ which can cause cold spots, condensation, and mould. When working with residents, you might want to describe these cold bridges as ‘weak spots’ in a home’s insulation, and it’s important to fix them to make sure the retrofit works as effectively as possible.
C is for cavity walls
Cavity walls (or cavity wall insulation) are quite commonly used terms, but not everyone will fully understand how they connect to retrofit. If exploring cavity wall insulation with residents, you can explain that the gap between the two layers of brick that make up their walls can be filled with insulation material (or have older material replaced if it has deteriorated) to keep heat in and cut energy bills.
D is for design
Designing for retrofit means planning changes carefully so they work together and suit the building’s age, style and structure, and how residents use their home. Good design ensures upgrades are effective, long-lasting, and don’t cause problems like damp or overheating later on. Make sure you explain what a retrofit design is to residents so people fully understand what to expect.
E is for EPC
Whilst homebuyers are often aware of EPC reports as part of the process of buying a property, residents may not be aware of the different ratings, or why EPC is a useful way to understand their home’s energy efficiency. You can help boost understanding by describing it as a snapshot of how well a home uses energy, how much it might cost to run, and how you could make it cheaper and greener.
E is for energy efficiency
Don’t assume that everyone will immediately understand what you mean by ‘making their home more energy efficient’. Energy efficiency means using less energy to achieve the same result, like heating a room or lighting a space, and retrofitting can help with that.
E is for external wall insulation
If someone has a home with solid walls, you may be recommending external wall insulation (often abbreviated to “EWI”). You can explain that this means adding insulation material to the outside of a building. It helps keep heat in and can improve the appearance of homes.
F is for fuel poverty
Fuel poverty happens when a household has to spend an unaffordable proportion of its income on heating and electricity. Using the term fuel poverty to describe a resident’s situation can sometimes create a barrier to engagement, but explaining that retrofit can help them to reduce their energy bills helps to explain the financial benefits of retrofit.
F is for fabric first
Another common term in retrofit , ‘fabric first’ is a retrofit approach that focuses on improving the building’s structure - walls, roof, windows - before adding technology like solar panels or heat pumps.
But few residents think about their home in terms of ‘fabric’ - so explaining the concept (that you’re looking at changes to the building itself, before bringing in any new technology) can help residents to better understand your approach.