PAS 2035: What is PAS 2035?

What is PAS 2035? PAS 2035 is the retrofit standard framework that outlines a best practice approach to domestic retrofit projects.

We release over 300 million tonnes of CO₂e* in the UK every year. The domestic housing sector in particular accounts for between 25-30% of these emissions alone. The UK government agreed to reduce emissions by 34% by 2030 and by 80% by 2050 (against the 1990 baseline). In May 2019, that was amended to a new target of ‘net zero’ emissions by 2050.

Despite clear targets, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has warned that we are falling short. The UK Government is failing to address the challenge of decarbonising the UK’s housing stock. The EAC observed that the government’s legally binding target to become a ‘net zero’ carbon economy by 2050 is just not possible unless urgent action and immediate action is taken to improve the energy efficiency of homes this decade.

To achieve ‘net zero’, a large reduction in energy use is needed within the housing market. In order to meet this, it is estimated that we will need to comprehensively retrofit 500,000 homes per year.

To obtain the necessary reductions, we need to undertake ‘deep retrofits’ to most of the UKs existing housing stock. This is more than simply adding loft insulation, this would mean a comprehensive whole house retrofit.

What is PAS 2035?

So, what is PAS 2035? The PAS 2035 framework was initially developed as part of the Each Home Counts process. It sets clear guidelines for retrofit professionals to follow when carrying out any domestic retrofit work.

The Each Homes Counts review was established to tackle the high levels of failure present in domestic retrofit. It also looked at how to improve the process for retrofitting energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. As a result of this review, PAS 2035 was established as the standards framework document for the end-to-end delivery of domestic retrofit work.

This new framework provides a whole-building approach to the retrofit process. Rather than retrofit work being considered in isolation (which can unintentionally damage the overall building performance), the new approach looks at the home, environment, occupancy, and householders’ improvement objectives when determining suitable measures to install.

Overall, the process introduced by PAS 2035 is designed to improve the quality of retrofit work for domestic properties. Ensuring that funding from banks and lenders is used towards good quality work which will improve the energy efficiency of housing.

Each Home Counts

The Each Home Counts review laid out some organisational structures that would be put in place to deliver the core components of the new framework:

A Quality Mark (Trust Mark)

All those engaged in the design and installation of energy efficiency and renewable energy will be assessed and certified against this standard.

A Consumer Charter

This sets out the positive experience that the consumer can expect under the quality mark, including response times, financial protections, and access to redress procedures when things go wrong

A Code of Conduct

To set out clear requirements and guidance on how companies have, operate, and report to be awarded and hold the quality mark.

Technical Codes of Practice and Standards

To minimise the risk of poor-quality instillation of home renewable energy and energy efficiency measures

Development of an information Hub and Data Warehouse

As a storage facility for information on a property.

Where Does PAS 2035 Apply?

PAS 2035 may be applied to all domestic retrofit activity covered in the following categories:

• Retrofit prompted/funded by national or local government schemes.
• Retrofit prompted/funded by landlords, including social housing organisations, private landlords in the domestic sector, and property portfolio holders.
• Retrofit of individual buildings by their owners and/or occupants, including both domestic and owner-occupiers.
• Retrofit that is integrated with and forms part of broader repairs, maintenance, and improvements (RMI) activity related to individual buildings or building stocks.

What is the PAS 2035 Retrofit Process?

• The Retrofit Coordinator will carry out a risk assessment of the property which will establish the risk grade, either: A, B, or C.
• The Retrofit Assessor will carry out the assessment and give information gathered to the coordinator.
• The Retrofit Designer will then use the assessment to design relevant energy efficiency improvements to the dwelling.
• The approved designs will be used to carry out improvements on the property.

What are the Roles Within the Retrofit Process?

Retrofit Advisor

Person competent in giving advice to clients and householders, in accordance with PAS 2035

Retrofit Assessor

A person qualified to carry out a retrofit assessment, in accordance with PAS 2035

Retrofit Coordinator

This person is qualified as a specialist retrofit project manager. They take overall responsibility for all elements of the retrofit process, in accordance with PAS 2035.

Retrofit Designer

The person qualified to prepare a retrofit design, in accordance with PAS 2035

Retrofit Installer

Person or organisation undertaking the energy efficiency measures in an existing building in accordance with PAS 2030.

What is the Role of the Retrofit Assessor?

A retrofit assessor’s job is to take the first step in assessing the quality of a dwelling before any retrofit work can take place. There are three assessment paths that can take place depending on the level of risk given to the property by the coordinator. The assessment will include an Energy report, a condition report, and an occupancy assessment.

What next?

Our team of award-winning retrofit assessors are ready to support your next retrofit project. Our best work is done in partnership and we’re happy to provide additional building testing support. In addition, our reports have been optimised over time based on feedback from Retrofit Coordinators. They now represent the high bar for data collection and detail in the industry.

If this sounds good to you, then get in touch with our friendly team.