As the global efforts to combat climate change intensify, our built environment has become a key area of focus for sustainability improvements.
Domestic retrofit – the process of improving energy efficiency of our homes – is now garnering significant attention in the UK from the Warm Homes: Local Grant to the Government Enquiry on Solid Wall Insulation Schemes. So, it is also imperative to discuss the momentum of non-domestic retrofit as a critical strategy for reducing carbon emissions.Â
But what exactly is non-domestic retrofit, and why is it vital for achieving a sustainable future?
Defining Non-Domestic Retrofit
Non-domestic retrofit refers to improving the energy performance of commercial, public, and industrial buildings – from offices and schools to hospitals and retail spaces.
Unlike homes, non-domestic buildings are often much larger and have more complex heating and cooling systems than homes, with significantly higher energy demands due to their size, usage patterns, and operational hours.
Effective non-domestic retrofit work isn’t just about meeting regulations – it’s about delivering real-world benefits. Whether the goal is improving occupant comfort, cutting operational costs or even just accessing government funding, a structured approach, like PAS 2038, ensures that projects are high-quality, compliant, and built to last.
Retrofitting these non-domestic buildings involves modifying them to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance sustainability. This may include upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, improving internal and external insulation, installing renewable energy systems, or replacing outdated technologies with more energy-efficient alternatives such as Heat Pump technology.
Why is Non-Domestic Retrofit Important?
Non-domestic buildings currently account for a large share of the UK’s overall carbon emissions. In fact, commercial, public, and industrial properties contribute towards approximately 23% of the UK’s total carbon footprint. This makes targeting these buildings for retrofit essential in achieving the UK’s net-zero emissions goals, while also ensuring our workplaces, children’s schools and more are futureproofed.
By retrofitting non-domestic buildings, we can:
- Lower Energy Bills: Retrofitted buildings consume significantly less energy, leading to substantial cost savings for building owners and tenants.
- Lower Carbon Emissions:Â Retrofitting improves the energy efficiency of a building, reducing energy waste, and incorporating renewable energy systems with less focus on gas and electricity that rely on fossil fuels.
- Enhance Comfort and Productivity: Upgraded systems improve indoor environments, enhancing thermal comfort, air quality, and lighting, which can boost productivity in offices and improve learning environments in schools.Â
- Safeguarding our Future: Retrofitting ensures that buildings remain energy-efficient, compliant with environmental regulations, and maintain their value and integrity over time.
Key Elements of Non-Domestic Retrofit
Non-domestic retrofit projects are often more complex than domestic upgrades due to the diversity of building types and their operational demands. Each retrofit must be carefully planned to balance energy efficiency, occupant needs, and regulatory compliance.
Non-domestic retrofit includes:
- Heating and Cooling Systems: Upgrading inefficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can significantly reduce energy use and improve indoor comfort. Retrofitting older buildings with air-source heat pumps, heat recovery systems, and smart controls enhances performance while lowering operational costs.
- Building Fabric: Just like in residential properties, improving insulation and glazing in non-domestic buildings reduces heat loss, stabilises indoor temperatures, and cuts overall energy demand. Well-insulated buildings require less heating in winter and less cooling in summer, improving efficiency year-round.
- Energy Management Systems: Modern Building Management Systems (BMS) ensure heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation operate efficiently and only when needed. These systems adapt in real time to a building’s occupancy and conditions, eliminating energy waste and optimising performance.
- Renewable Energy Solutions: Integrating solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable technologies reduces reliance on grid electricity and supports decarbonisation goals. By generating clean energy on-site, buildings can lower emissions, improve sustainability, and reduce long-term energy costs.
Challenges in Non-Domestic Retrofit
While the benefits of non-domestic retrofit are clear, these projects come with unique challenges. Non-domestic buildings often have diverse uses, with different areas requiring varying levels of heating, cooling, or lighting. Maintaining operations during retrofits, managing costs, and ensuring new technologies integrate seamlessly with existing systems are key challenges to address.
To navigate these complexities, having the right knowledge and strategies is critical, making professional training in non-domestic retrofit valuable for professionals looking to commission, project coordinators, contractors and delivery teams on these projects.
PAS 2038 and Non-Domestic Retrofit
A significant framework guiding non-domestic retrofit in the UK is PAS 2038:2021. This Publicly Available Specification (PAS) outlines best practices for retrofitting non-domestic buildings. PAS 2038 provides a structured approach to ensuring that retrofits are systematically carried out – from initial energy assessments to post-retrofit evaluations.
PAS 2038 helps retrofit projects meet both energy efficiency and regulatory standards. The Retrofit Academy’s new “Understanding Non-Domestic Retrofit” course aligns with PAS 2038, offering professionals the essential knowledge they need to successfully manage retrofit projects. Following PAS 2038 ensures that retrofits are effective in reducing energy consumption and meet the latest industry standards.
The Roles in PAS 2038
Client/Building Owner
The individual or organisation commissioning the retrofit, responsible for funding, setting objectives, and making key project decisions.
Lead Professional
The senior Professional managing the entire retrofit process, ensuring compliance with PAS 2038 and coordinating all stakeholders to achieve project goals.
Lead Assessor
The professional Assessor who evaluates the building’s energy performance, condition, and usage to inform the design and ensure practical, compliant solutions.
Retrofit Designer
A qualified Designer who develops detailed technical designs and specifications for retrofit measures, ensuring that they align with compliance and building regulations.
Principal Contractor
The project manager overseeing the construction phase, responsible for coordinating subcontractors, ensuring quality of the work delivered, and maintaining safety standards.
Quality Assurance and Compliance Officer
The individual ensuring all retrofit activities meet required standards, conducting inspections, and documenting compliance for accountability.
Health and Safety Officer
The professional tasked with implementing safety protocols, preventing hazards, and ensuring the well-being of workers and occupants throughout the project.
Building Users/Occupants
The individuals or organisations using the building, whose feedback helps tailor retrofit measures to meet both the practical and operational needs of the project’s outcomes.
The Future of Non-Domestic Retrofit
As the UK strives toward its net-zero goals, non-domestic retrofit will play its role in reducing carbon emissions from the non-domestic sector. Improving the energy performance of these buildings offers quantifiable benefits in terms of energy savings, carbon reduction, and improved building performance.
By understanding the principles of non-domestic retrofit – and following structured frameworks like the PAS 2038 British Standard – professionals can take the lead in transforming the building stock for a greener, more sustainable future. For those seeking to expand their expertise, The Retrofit Academy’s “Understanding Non-Domestic Retrofit” course provides an invaluable opportunity to gain the knowledge needed to thrive in this growing field.
Build Your Expertise with our NEW Understanding Non-Domestic Retrofit Course
Designed for built environment practitioners and those commissioning non-domestic retrofit projects who are looking to expand their skills, The Retrofit Academy’s “Understanding Non-Domestic Retrofit” course provides an essential opportunity to gain the knowledge and confidence needed to deliver high-quality, compliant retrofit projects.
This CPD-accredited course equips you with the core understanding needed to navigate the complexities of decarbonising non-domestic buildings. Developed by industry experts, it combines real-world case studies with practical insights, ensuring you master best practices to avoid costly mistakes and excel in retrofit projects.
Enrol From Monday 3rd February!
Gain the skills to lead in non-domestic retrofit and earn a respected certification that enhances your professional credentials.
