How Will We Know if Net Zero Retrofit is Working?

We understand the principles and processes needed to decarbonise UK social housing. As these processes swing into action at scale, the next inevitable question will be ‘is it making any difference?’

For an individual homeowner, the retrofit KPIs are straightforward. They’ll want to be confident that the savings on energy bills will pay back the cost of the retrofit within a reasonable time, or that the value of the retrofit is matched by an increase in the value of their home. More subjectively, they’ll also want to feel that their home is more comfortable to live in.

For social landlords, KPIs will be more complex. They’ll have to be objective and measurable. EPC ratings are one possible yardstick. This may well be the focus up to 2030, by which time all rented homes will be expected to achieve a minimum of level C.

But EPC ratings aren’t a perfect indicator of net zero performance. They’re based on a standardised assessment of building fabric and equipment. EPCs say nothing about behaviour or real world energy use.

Performance Tracking

Retrofit partnerships will need a way to track the energy consumption and carbon footprint of retrofitted homes. For each archetype it should be possible to establish ‘reference’ homes to measure the effectiveness of the retrofit. Results can then be fed into process improvement plans.

The net zero equation for an individual home will be influenced over time by decarbonisation of the electricity grid. There will have to be some clear assumptions made for properties where it isn’t feasible to generate all of the energy requirements from onsite renewables.

Performance tracking could incorporate broader measures such as compliance with decent homes standards and the elimination of fuel poverty.

Progress Tracking and Cost Control

There will inevitably be a series of KPIs to ensure that retrofit programmes – potentially covering thousands of homes – are on track and within budget. None of this will be meaningful or workable without a high degree of collaboration and openness among partners.

Benchmarking the average time and cost to complete a whole home retrofit for each property archetype would be an obvious place to start.

Resident Satisfaction 

A positive resident experience from the outset of each retrofit programme will help ensure that the following stages proceed smoothly. Useful KPIs would relate to how well residents understand the need for retrofitting and the benefits they should expect from it. This is something that social housing providers could usefully be measuring right now to help assess the scale of the engagement task.

Post retrofit, it’s also essential to track that residents are feeling the benefit in terms of the comfort levels of their upgraded home.

Social Value

Net zero retrofit programmes are an excellent opportunity to deliver millions of pounds worth of social value. All partners involved should commit to using a formal approach to recording the social value they generate and to meeting ambitious performance targets.

Net zero retrofitting of the UK’s social housing stock is complex, but manageable. Choosing appropriate and targeted KPIs will be critical.

For ideas about how to approach zero carbon retrofit at scale visit our resource centre or contact Nick Davidge ([email protected]).