Retrofitting for a sustainable future

The panel addressed critical topics such as funding, prioritisation, and the skills gap, while highlighting innovative solutions that are already making an impact across the sector. Following on from the discussion, Kelly looks at actionable steps to approach retrofitting in a way that drives meaningful progress and delivers lasting benefits.

Failing to plan is planning to fail

When it comes to retrofitting, strategic planning is the foundation for success. Every decision should be informed, and a thorough building analysis must be the first step. Good data is the key to making smart choices - the more you have, the better equipped you’ll be to create a strategy that works.

Being realistic is key. The size and scale of investment required can often be a challenge. Developing a robust decarbonisation plan will help pinpoint investment needs and identify solutions that deliver the best outcomes on your journey to net zero. Start with the quick wins, setting clear short-, medium-, and long-term goals. Prioritise projects - align them with available funding opportunities to maximise capital investment. This focused approach will help you stay on track, avoid feeling overwhelmed, and ensure tangible progress is made.

A carefully planned approach enables you to create a clear, detailed understanding of your estate or building portfolio to achieve efficiencies while maximising economies of scale. Taking a whole-building approach is essential, following the energy hierarchy: reducing energy demand, improving energy efficiency, and incorporating renewable or sustainable energy solutions.

By planning with purpose and leveraging the expertise around you, retrofitting becomes less daunting and more impactful - step by step, building by building. Engaging with contractors early in the process plays a key role in this. Our team can support you by identifying funding opportunities, guiding design development, and offering practical advice for effective delivery.

Dependable delivery

A successful retrofit isn’t just about achieving net-zero carbon goals - it’s also about ensuring minimal disruption to the people and services that depend on the building. This is particularly crucial in public sector settings like education and healthcare, where maintaining services is non-negotiable.

The benefits of retrofit projects (improved thermal comfort, lower energy bills, and reduced emissions) are worth the effort. Achieving these outcomes requires strong project management, logistics and a robust communications strategy. Keeping stakeholders informed and aligned throughout the process not only protects your organisation’s reputation but also builds understanding and support for the wider net-zero journey.

Equally important is balancing sustainability targets with the human benefits they deliver. While emissions and energy efficiency benchmarks are critical, they should never overshadow the everyday improvements that retrofitting offers - such as warmer classrooms, healthier hospitals, and more comfortable workspaces. Keeping people at the centre of the process can achieve both environmental and meaningful, human-centred outcomes.

Building resilience

Creating a sustainable future requires ongoing learning, adaptation, and a proactive approach to improvement. A key part of this vision is the effective use of a building management system (BMS). These systems optimise energy use in real time and provide valuable data to benchmark performance and improve the success of future retrofit projects.

A gap often exists between retrofit goals and actual outcomes, often stemming from underutilised or poorly optimised Building Management Systems (BMS). Most buildings already have some form of BMS, but these systems aren’t always fit for purpose or correctly configured to support net-zero goals. To address this, the focus should shift to collaboration between BMS suppliers and customers, ensuring systems are optimised and integrated into long-term operational strategies. A building’s role in achieving net zero doesn’t end at project delivery - it continues through its daily operation and sustained performance over time.

This is something we have addressed through the development of Energy Synergy^TM - our building energy performance improvement process. It uses the BMS and additional metering to monitor the actual energy performance consumption by each system within the building. Working with our customers, we use this real-time performance data of their building to help unlock cost and carbon savings.

Although predominantly used on new build projects, our Energy Synergy^TM process can be activated retrospectively and would aid any retrofit project looking to improve building performance. With the new UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard, which is due to take effect later this year, likely to include some form of in-use energy verification, performance monitoring is a great way to keep ahead of the curve on compliance.

As we adapt to the rising challenges associated with retrofit and good building management there is always room to do more. Working in partnership to raise standards and embrace smarter tools will enable sustainability targets to be achieved both today and in the future.

Achieving net zero across your estate might feel daunting, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re exploring retrofit as the best solution, considering new-build net-zero projects, or looking for a balanced approach across your portfolio, we can help.

From understanding and accessing funding opportunities to assessing your estate and developing a clear, actionable plan, I’m here to support you every step of the way. If you’d like to discuss how we can help you tackle net zero with confidence, feel free to reach out - I’d be happy to chat.

Contact me here.

Alternatively, take a look at how we’ve helped other customers here.