Did you know that homes in the UK are among the least eco-friendly in Europe? This is mainly because most were built before the 1990s when energy efficiency wasn’t a priority. Of the 29 million existing homes in the UK, only 8 million meet the highest energy standards. The government aims to make the UK carbon neutral by 2050. However, around 18% of our annual national CO2 emissions come from existing homes. These homes will still be around in 2050. To achieve our goal, retrofitting traditional buildings is an essential strategy, and we’re here to help you with that. To encourage people to make their homes more energy efficient, the government created a certification called PAS 2030. It ensures that only high-quality retrofit installations receive funding.
Understanding PAS 2035 and PAS 2030
Publicly Available Specifications PAS 2035 and PAS 2030 are guidelines for making existing homes more energy-efficient. They are linked together and work as a team to ensure the whole house is considered during the retrofitting process. This includes the building itself, the materials used, and the customer’s needs. You can’t follow one guideline without the other. However, knowing what each guideline entails and how they work together is important.
What is PAS 2030?
When it comes to improving your home’s energy efficiency, you want to ensure you’re doing it right. That’s where PAS 2030 comes in. It’s a comprehensive set of guidelines covering everything from the initial assessment to installing energy efficiency improvements. These guidelines are designed to ensure that the work is done to a high standard and meets the necessary requirements for energy efficiency. They cover everything from the materials used to the installation process and any necessary inspections and testing.
By following the PAS 2030 guidelines, you can be confident that your home upgrades are not only effective but also safe and long-lasting. It’s like having a blueprint for your energy efficiency improvements that ensures everything is done right the first time. So whether you’re replacing your windows, upgrading your insulation, or installing a new HVAC system, consult the PAS 2030 guidelines for the best results.
What is PAS 2035?
The UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has recently sponsored a new standard called PAS 2035, which aims to enhance energy-efficient funding allocation. This standard lays down clear and comprehensive specifications for the energy retrofit of domestic buildings. PAS 2035 identifies various options for improvement, designs and specifies Energy Efficiency Measures (EEM), and effectively monitors retrofit projects to enhance energy efficiency.
PAS 2035 adopts a “whole house” approach, taking into account every aspect of the home’s energy efficiency and the occupants’ needs. This comprehensive approach makes PAS 2035 stand out from 2030, which only considers individual changes and not their overall environmental impact. PAS 2035 make sure that the house is brought up to standard, which will result in cost-effective energy efficiency for years.
PAS 2035 has a rigorous risk assessment process to ensure the retrofit projects’ effectiveness. The requirements of the installation guide this process. It also ensures that measures that will end up being ineffective because of failures elsewhere in the house are not taken. For example, bringing your insulation up to scratch without draught-proofing the windows.
Difference between PAS 2030 and PAS 2035
The government has introduced a funding scheme for retrofit projects, which requires businesses to comply with specific installation standards. In order to prove compliance and become eligible for funding, businesses must apply for a certification called PAS 2030 and provide the necessary supporting documentation. On the other hand, PAS 2035 is not a certification but an industry standard that summarizes the retrofitting specifications required to meet funding regulations. In simpler terms, PAS 2030 is the certification that confirms your eligibility to claim funding, while PAS 2035 provides the latest retrofitting specifications that can be used as guidelines.
How do I get PAS 2030 accreditation?
If you want to install energy efficiency measures under any of the government-backed initiatives, it is essential that you get certified for the PAS 2030 standards. The certification is required for three types of installations – Building Fabric Measures (BFM), Building Services Electrical (BSE), and Building Services Mechanical (BSM). These installations include insulation, glazing, doors, lighting, lighting controls, boilers, and heating systems.
It is important to note that only a certification body that UKAS has accredited can provide accreditation. The entire path to obtaining your accreditation can be broken down into six simple steps. First, you must complete application forms and prepare supporting documentation. You will then need to submit QMS login details for initial assessment, after which site inspections will be carried out. At last, a follow-up assessment will be conducted to ensure the installations comply with the set standards.
Why use PAS 2035/2030:2023?
The British Standards Institution (BSI) has developed a comprehensive framework in collaboration with the government and the retrofit industry to provide best practices in retrofitting domestic dwellings. One of the key standards in this framework is PAS 2035/2030:2023, which sets out the whole-house approach to energy efficiency retrofits from project inception to handover and evaluation. This standard is designed to ensure that energy efficiency improvements are implemented holistically rather than piecemeal fixes.
One of the significant advantages of using this standard is that it outlines an efficient and effective approach to retrofitting, which minimizes the risk of ineffective, poorly executed retrofits. It also contributes to creating more comfortable homes that are longer-lasting and reduce net carbon emissions. By adhering to this national standard, homeowners can build trust and confidence in the outcomes of their retrofit projects.
It’s important to keep in mind that if you’re planning on participating in government energy efficiency schemes for domestic retrofit, you’ll need to comply with PAS 2035/2030:2023 regulations and register with TrustMark. Also, to ensure the retrofit process is well-managed and risks are minimized, the BSI Retrofit Standards Framework incorporates three key elements: PAS 2035, PAS 2030, and PAS 2038. The framework’s whitepaper thoroughly explains its origins, describes the advantages of utilizing these standards, and outlines plans for future enhancements. Implementing the BSI Retrofit Standards Framework can enhance your home’s energy efficiency, lessen your carbon footprint, and contribute to a more sustainable future.