Retrofitting is essential for improving your home’s energy efficiency, but there are several pitfalls homeowners often encounter. Let’s take a closer look at the most common mistakes and provide examples to help you avoid them.
1. Choosing the Wrong Contractor
Hiring an inexperienced or uncertified contractor can result in poor workmanship, non-compliance with standards, or even damage to your home. For example, an improperly installed insulation layer can create cold spots, leading to damp and mould growth. To avoid this, it’s crucial to select the right professionals for each aspect of your retrofit. GBW Retrofit Services helps you by coordinating with certified and experienced contractors who follow PAS 2035 guidelines, ensuring quality and compliance throughout the project.
2. Skipping Essential Assessments
Many homeowners dive straight into retrofitting without proper assessments, such as ignoring a whole-house evaluation or thermal imaging scan. For example, failing to identify hidden damp issues or poor air circulation can make new insulation ineffective or even harmful. At GBW Retrofit Services, we manage the entire assessment process, ensuring all necessary evaluations are carried out to identify potential issues and create a tailored retrofit plan for your home.
3. Poor Material Choices
Selecting cheap or inappropriate materials, like low-quality insulation or single-glazed windows, can compromise the effectiveness of your retrofit. For instance, using non-breathable materials in older properties can trap moisture, causing rot and structural damage. We ensure that the contractors we work with use high-quality, sustainable materials suited to your home’s specific needs, guaranteeing durability and long-term performance.
4. Ignoring Ventilation Needs
Failing to address ventilation can lead to unhealthy indoor air quality, with issues like condensation, mould, and respiratory problems. For example, a homeowner might install high-performance insulation but then notice increased condensation on windows, which can cause mould if not managed properly. GBW Retrofit Services oversees the integration of balanced ventilation solutions, such as mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), to maintain fresh air circulation and prevent moisture build-up.
5. Underestimating Costs and Timeframes
Homeowners often do not adequately plan for the costs and time involved, usually due to a lack of understanding of the full scope of the project. For instance, unexpected structural issues may arise, requiring additional work and costs. At GBW Retrofit Services, we handle the project management, providing a detailed retrofit plan with clear cost breakdowns, realistic timelines, and guidance on available grants and financing options to keep your project on track.
6. Lack of a Holistic Approach
Retrofitting without considering the whole house can lead to a piecemeal approach that fails to deliver optimal results. For example, installing new windows without addressing wall insulation or upgrading heating systems without improving insulation can limit energy savings. Our company ensures a whole-house retrofit approach, coordinating all components to work together for maximum efficiency and comfort.
Why Choose GBW Retrofit Services?
At GBW Retrofit Services, we specialise in managing the entire retrofit process, from initial assessments to final project completion. Our role is to coordinate and oversee all aspects, ensuring that each phase is executed by certified professionals according to PAS 2035 standards. This comprehensive approach helps you avoid common mistakes and ensures your retrofit delivers the energy savings, comfort, and value you desire.
Visit GBW Retrofit Services for more information or to speak with our experts about managing your home retrofit project from start to finish.
