PAS 2035:2019 is a new umbrella standard/framework which outlines the requirements for a home to achieve its energy efficiency potential, through a ‘whole house’ approach to retrofit.

This approach considers the home, environment, occupancy, and the householder’s improvement objectives when determining the most suitable measures to install. This eliminates any issues of retrofit work being considered in isolation which can unintentionally harm the overall building performance.

PAS 2030 has also been updated in line with PAS 2035, and covers the installation, commissioning and handover of retrofit projects within this umbrella standard.

Why was PAS 2035 created?

PAS 2035 was mainly created for two reasons:

1. The Environment – On the one hand the UK is building lots of new houses which are very energy efficient, but there are still issues concerning the older, much less energy efficient houses.
2. Trust – The Government wants to encourage innovation in energy efficiency but these companies will need investment. This investment will only happen if investors can see a market, but a big problem is that consumers don’t have much trust in the retrofit industry. Some measures have been poorly installed due to a lack of skills/training and without taking the whole house into account, for example, how all the measures work together, where the house is in the UK, and how the occupiers use the house. PAS standards will ensure training, quality, and proper routes for redress should the householder be dissatisfied.

Main principles of PAS 2035

• Professional accountability – A professional should take responsibility for any success/failure.
• Whole house Retrofit – Retrofitting a whole house rather than as individual elements.
• Bespoke projects – Recognising that each house is unique, and each project should take that into consideration.
• Build Tight, Ventilate Right – Adequate ventilation is needed if buildings are being made airtight.
• Quality – Improved efficiency and reduced defects.
• Fabric First – The building fabric should be improved before introducing any new energy systems.

When will PAS 2035 be mandatory?

By 1^st July 2021, all ECO funded retrofit projects in England will need to be delivered through the PAS 2035 framework, meaning they must be overseen and lodged into the TrustMark Data Warehouse by a TrustMark Approved Retrofit Coordinator. We are currently in a transition period whereby installers will benefit from adopting PAS 2035 standards early, but it is not yet mandatory to do so.

PAS 2035 has already been adopted as a requirement within some of the government’s funding for Social Housing Providers. The Social Housing Decarbonisation pilot, which has awarded £62 million to 17 local authorities, specifically asks for projects to achieve a significant energy demand reduction in dwellings through the application of a whole house retrofit approach compliant with PAS 2035.

Phase 2 of the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme (which is due to award £300 million to regional energy hubs) will also adopt PAS 2035, as part of its funding requirement, in September. Elmhurst hopes to see a replacement for the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme which will consider PAS 2035 as a mandatory requirement – watch this space.

Roles in Retrofit

Five new roles have been introduced within the PAS 2035 framework to effectively manage each part of the retrofit process: Retrofit Advisor, Retrofit Assessor, Retrofit Coordinator, Retrofit Designer, and Retrofit Evaluator. However, the two retrofit roles which Elmhurst offer training and accreditation for are the Retrofit Assessor and Retrofit Coordinator, whose roles are described below.

Retrofit Assessor

Retrofit Assessors are trained to undertake a retrofit assessment for dwellings in accordance with PAS 2035. As well as producing an RdSAP energy report, a Retrofit Assessor is also required to produce a detailed floor plan, undertake a property condition report, and complete an occupancy assessment. More information on our Retrofit Assessor training can be found here.

Retrofit Coordinator

Retrofit Coordinators are required for all domestic retrofit projects in order to comply with PAS 2035, occupying a project management role. The Retrofit Coordinator role includes: the instruction of other retrofit professionals and installers involved in the project; developing a retrofit plan; documenting the project process; liaising with the home owner; and provisionally signing off on the PAS 2035 project. More information on our Retrofit Coordinator training can be found here.

Options for Installers

Upon updating their PAS 2030 certification, Installers will automatically adopt the role of Retrofit Installer.

Installers can either comply with the new standards by developing PAS 2035 competencies in house or by working with external qualified Retrofit professionals (Retrofit Assessors and Retrofit Coordinators). Either way, Installers must comply with PAS 2035 standards from 1^st July.

Want to find out more?

General Information: https://www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk/pas-2035

Information for Social Housing Providers: https://www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk/retrofit-in-social-housing

Information for Installers: https://pas2035andinstallers.co.uk