The language of retrofit, part 2

Introduction

This second part of RISE's language of retrofit jargon buster explores further terms, and how you can help residents and wider teams across your organisations to better understand them.

You can find part one of this series here.

Heat pumps

This low carbon type of heating technology can be considered for homes that are being retrofitted, however not everyone is familiar with the different types, nor the pros and cons of each type of technology. Depending on the type of heat pump, it uses energy from either the air, the ground, or water to heat our homes.

Try to explain clearly how the technology works and don’t expect an understanding from the start.

K-value

A measurement of how easily heat passes through a material, this is an important consideration in retrofit assessments and planning, but not a widely used term. Talk to residents about what it means in practice for them and provide examples; insulation usually has a K-value and the lower the K value, the better the insulation properties.

Microgeneration Certificate Scheme (MCS)

The MCS is a quality assurance programme in the UK that sets standards for small-scale, low-carbon energy technologies and the companies that install them. It mainly covers systems like solar PV panels, heat pumps, biomass boilers and the like. If residents or colleagues query what MCS is, share with them why standards like like are vital; making sure that the technology being installed in their homes meet performance and safety standards, and that they are installed by competent companies. It’s worth mentioning that MCS is essential for most funded programmes.

Net zero

These days, ‘net zero’ is a widely used term across the media, but it isn’t always immediately obvious what it means. Talk to residents and colleagues instead about how with net zero, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions we add to the atmosphere is balanced by the amount we remove. In other words: we don’t increase the total emissions overall.

Passive house (or Passivhaus)

This is a highly energy-efficient home, relying on sunlight and ventilation for temperature control. Because of all that, a passive house needs very little energy to stay comfortable. It's mainly about being energy efficient, comfortable, and low carbon.