Abstract

Thermal retrofits of homes are central to the UK's fuel poverty and net zero carbon policies but there are concerns about poor quality installation and so new standards are to be introduced (PAS2035). We have explored retrofit installers' perceptions of the barriers to installing internal wall insulation (IWI) and of current regulations and standards for retrofits. We conducted four focus groups with retrofit installers. Thematic analysis identified three themes. (1) IWI is viewed as impractical in situations other than new builds, extensions and conversions as it is too time-consuming and expensive. (2) Installing IWI is perceived as an unskilled job with no need for training or referring to standards during installation. (3) Because standards lack credibility, installers can be sceptical of potential problems caused by on-site installation adaptations, for example thermal bridging. Our results show that retrofit standards have not improved retrofit quality. Awareness and credibility of standards is low, and new standards (PAS2035) will introduce additional costs which may reduce the pool of installers willing to engage in the retrofit market. Policies need to address installer training, professional identity and social practices, and reduce barriers to change in order to increase success.

Highlights

  • The 2015 Paris agreement showed that Governments have committed to reducing carbon emissions, the latest United Nations convention on Climate Change (COP25) highlighted that more action is needed to achieve targets (UNEP2020).[1]

  • We have explored retrofit installers’ perceptions of the barriers to installing internal wall insulation (IWI) and of current regulations and standards for retrofits

  • The UK government has unilaterally committed to net zero by 20502 and is aiming to improve the energy efficiency of all fuel poor homes to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of C by 2035.3 Much progress towards these goals has been undertaken in recent years: by 2018 the UK had achieved a 43% reduction on 1990 levels of carbon emissions.[4]

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Summary

Introduction

The 2015 Paris agreement showed that Governments have committed to reducing carbon emissions, the latest United Nations convention on Climate Change (COP25) highlighted that more action is needed to achieve targets (UNEP2020).[1]. Reducing the emissions associated with space heating can be addressed via a combination of (1) decarbonising heat (e.g. renewables or low carbon electric heating) and (2) reducing space heating demand in homes. Both solutions have significant strategic infrastructural challenges. In regard to low carbon heating, gas central heating is currently used in 86% of UK homes[8] and gas

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