• Building Energy Experts focuses on energy efficiency and sustainability.
• Jack Allen transitioned from consultancy to hands-on building performance.
• Decarbonizing social housing faces funding and operational challenges.
• The private sector requires certainty for sustainable investments.
• Funding waves create boom and bust cycles for businesses.
• Cost effectiveness of retrofit assessments is crucial for success.
• Public perception of retrofit needs improvement for wider acceptance.
• Climate change impacts are often underestimated by the public.
• Advocacy for retrofit must be more assertive and relatable.
• Community engagement is key to driving behavioral change in sustainability.

Find Jack on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-allen-building-energy-experts/

His company are expert at making buildings better - check them out: https://buildingenergyexperts.co.uk/

• Halcyan Water conditions hard water to behave like soft water.
• Every millimeter of lime scale can increase energy consumption by 7-10%.
• Over 60% of the UK is supplied with hard water.
• The average household can save about half a tonne of CO2 equivalent per year by treating hard water effectively.
• Accreditation processes for water treatment products are complex and slow.
• Government regulations often do not adequately address the issues of hard water.
• Consumer awareness is crucial for the adoption of water treatment solutions.
• Halcyan's product can be installed in less than an hour and protects the entire house.
• The ROI for Halcyan's solution is approximately two and a half years.
• Innovative solutions in water treatment are often overlooked in favor of traditional methods. 

Find Halycan and there solution here: https://halcyanwater.com/

• Eden Labs focuses on commercializing sustainability through marketing.
• Renaming 'retrofit' to 'renovation' could improve public perception.
• A national conversation about sustainability is lacking.
• Community engagement is crucial for promoting sustainable practices.
• Emotional drivers are more effective than logical arguments in marketing.
• Negative media coverage affects public perception of retrofit solutions.
• True stories and authenticity can engage consumers.
• Collaboration among stakeholders can amplify sustainability efforts.
• Timely solutions can make sustainability more appealing.
• Human ingenuity can drive the transition to sustainability.

Find Eden Lab https://www.edenlab.co/what-we-do

• Greenworks aims to train and hire a workforce for the net zero transition.
• The retrofit industry faces a significant skills gap, needing 3 million trained individuals by 2030.
• Barriers to entry include a lack of understanding of career pathways in retrofit.
• Employers often hesitate to hire newly certified trainees due to their lack of experience.
• Greenworks focuses on continuous learning to ensure trainees remain job-ready.
• Training should be relevant and accessible to the learner's role.
• Engaging younger generations requires modern, digestible training methods.
• The qualities needed for retrofit roles include being personable and methodical.
• SMEs benefit from training solutions that integrate into the flow of work.
• AI can enhance training by providing coaching and support for trainees.

See Elliott's profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-grover-9710a7138/
Greenworkx:  https://www.greenworkx.org/

• Permetrix provides test kits for measuring housing performance.
• The tools help assess heat loss and ventilation in homes.
• User-friendly design allows homeowners to easily collect data.
• Data privacy is ensured under GDPR regulations.
• Accurate measurements are crucial for effective retrofitting.
• Many EPCs are inaccurate, leading to funding allocation issues.
• Permetrix tools validate retrofit work and ensure quality assurance.
• The company aims to penetrate the heat pump market effectively.
• AI could enhance personalized monitoring solutions in homes.
• Research is needed to address climate resilience and overheating.

LINKS
The Purmmetrix website: https://www.purrmetrix.com/

This show was made possible with the support of the amazing team at JRL Group, the MVHR and retrofit build specialists, you can find them here: https://jrlgroup.crd.co/

Tom Jarman worked and still works across the energy spectrum.  He's concentrated on some key points in this podcast;

• The construction sector needs to focus on value and outcomes rather than just cost and compliance.
• SMEs play a crucial role in the construction industry but face significant challenges due to low margins.
• Investment in workforce training is essential for the future of the construction sector.
• Public sector funding for retrofit projects needs to be more effectively utilized.
• Local knowledge is invaluable in construction and should be prioritized in project planning.
• Technology can enhance productivity and reduce costs in retrofit projects.
• A long-term vision is necessary for successful retrofit initiatives.
• Creating a supportive environment for SMEs will drive innovation and quality in construction.
• The human element in construction is critical for ensuring safety and quality.
• Energy planning and retrofit are closely linked and should be integrated for better outcomes.

Find Tom on Linkedin in here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-jarman

Read and subscribe to the magazine here: https://refurbandretrofit.com

Watch Our Videos here: https://www.youtube.com/@refurbandretrofit

Great episode from Cypren, here's what we discuss;

• Straw Building UK aims to promote straw as a sustainable building material.
• Straw has excellent thermal insulation properties compared to conventional materials.
• There are misconceptions about straw's safety and effectiveness in construction.
• Straw is abundant in the UK and can significantly contribute to housing solutions.
• Education and awareness are crucial for increasing straw's adoption in construction.
• Community engagement projects are helping to develop skills in straw building.
• Advocates for straw building are essential for changing perceptions in the industry.
• Straw buildings can be fire resistant when properly constructed.
• The long-term benefits of straw include lower energy costs and healthier living environments.
• The future of straw building in the UK looks promising with increasing interest and support.

Find out more at:

https://www.strawbuildinguk.org/

In this episode of the Refurb and Retrofit podcast, host Matt Milloy speaks with Simon Jones, the host of the Air Quality Matters podcast. They discuss the critical importance of indoor air quality, the risks associated with poor air quality, and practical solutions for improving air quality in homes. Simon emphasizes the need for effective ventilation, the impact of outdoor pollution, and the role of citizen activism in advocating for better air quality standards. The conversation also highlights the importance of understanding air quality as an access issue for vulnerable populations and provides actionable insights for homeowners looking to improve their living environments.

• Indoor air quality is crucial for long-term health.
• 90% of our lives are spent indoors, highlighting the importance of home air quality.
• Air quality is the largest single environmental risk we face.
• Ventilation is essential for maintaining good air quality in homes.
• Poor air quality disproportionately affects vulnerable populations.
• Citizen activism can drive significant changes in air quality legislation.
• Understanding air quality as an access issue is vital for inclusivity.
• Practical solutions exist for improving air quality in homes.
• Awareness of outdoor pollution is necessary for better indoor air quality management.
• Homeowners should prioritize low VOC products and effective ventilation systems.

Links:
https://www.airqualitymatters.net/podcast
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-air-quality-matters

In this episode of the Refurb and Retrofit podcast, Matt Milloy speaks with Cat Hoad from Interior Design Declares about the evolution of sustainable interior design. They discuss the importance of planning for renovations, the impact of material choices on health and the environment, and the role of grassroots movements in promoting sustainability. Cat emphasizes the need for consumers to ask questions about the products they buy and the importance of collaboration within the industry to drive change. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in making sustainable choices in interior design.

Takeaways

• Sustainable design choices have evolved significantly over the years.
• Planning is crucial for successful and sustainable renovations.
• Material choices can greatly impact health and environmental sustainability.
• Air quality is an important consideration in interior design.
• Secondhand goods can be a sustainable option, but safety must be considered.
• Grassroots movements are making a significant impact on sustainability efforts.
• Influencers play a key role in changing consumer mindsets towards sustainability.
• Accessibility to sustainable options is a challenge for many consumers.
• Trends are shifting towards the use of renewable and recycled materials.
• Collaboration among organizations can amplify the message of sustainability.

Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathoad/

https://www.interiordesigndeclares.com/

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What we learn:

• Heat pumps can work effectively if installed correctly.
• Public perception of heat pumps has evolved over the years.
• Installation quality is crucial for heat pump efficiency.
• Noise complaints often stem from poor installation practices.
• Homeowners need to run heat pumps continuously for optimal performance.
• Government funding is available to support heat pump adoption.
• Consumer education is essential to dispel myths about heat pumps.
• Installer qualifications significantly impact consumer confidence.
• Ground source heat pumps offer long-term benefits but are less common.
• The future of heat pumps depends on improving installer training and public awareness.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Heat Pumps and Renewable Heating Hub03:01
The Evolution of Public Perception on Heat Pumps05:49
Challenges in Heat Pump Installation09:06
Understanding Heat Pump Efficiency and Operation11:56
The Role of Education in Heat Pump Adoption15:09
Government Initiatives and Myths Surrounding Heat Pumps18:04
Installer Qualifications and Consumer Protection20:54
Cost and Financial Assistance for Heat Pumps23:46
Innovations in Heat Pump Technology27:04
Maintenance and Longevity of Heat Pumps29:55
Future of Heat Pumps and Industry Challenges