INDUSTRY EXPERT
ANDREWRENNIEONRETROFIT
AS WE LOOK FOR FOSSIL FUEL ALTERNATIVES THE EMPHASIS HAS BEEN ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES... Achanged landscape
T he rise in environmental awareness, allied to soaring energy bills, has enhanced retrofit’s profile in the industry. Changes to guidelines plus increased investment in, and development of renewable technologies then changed the landscape further. “The key drivers in our business are building regulations,” said Andrew. “Construction of new builds and retrofit projects need to meet at least the minimum requirements in terms of energy performance. Revised building regulations are making our homes more energy-efficient and specifiers have played a key role in going beyond these minimum requirements. The most significant change we have seen is the rise of renewable technologies. Technologies like heat pumps, solar photovoltaic systems, and mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems all use electricity rather than oil or gas and represent a change away from our reliance on fossil fuels. Whilst these technologies will renew and create energy, it is essential to limit the amount of energy used in the first place by ensuring we have sufficient levels of insulation.” So how does the approach to retrofit differ between Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland? “The retrofit business in the Republic is a more mature business than in Northern Ireland. However, as there is very little difference in the housing stock, many of the measures will remain
the same. The Republic has the added advantage of having a single body (SEAI) responsible for energy efficiency in existing houses with input on standards, policies and also providing grant support where appropriate.” South of the border the approach certainly appears more joined up. In contrast to that single port of call, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, interested parties here can find themselves shimmying between places like the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme, the Energy Saving Trust NI, Bryson Energy’s advice line, in search of grant aid. Northern Ireland does not even enjoy parity with other parts of the UK. Ironically named The Green Deal, which helps you make energy saving improvements to your home and find the best way to pay for them, is not available here. “The retrofit business in the Republic is amore
“Insulation remains an essential element of any energy upgrade.”
Andrew was then handed responsibility for the entire island in 2009, it was a takeover two years later that set him on the path to retrofit. “In 2011 our company was bought by Kingspan Insulation, and I have been with the Kingspan team ever since,” Andrew explained. “Shortly after the acquisition, Kingspan Retrofit was set up. Its main objective is to look at opportunities to insulate and upgrade the energy efficiency of existing properties as well as new builds.” With his experience in insulation, the transition to retrofit was always destined to be a smooth one. “Firstly the products we were using migrated across from new build to retrofit with relative ease. In the early days of retrofit, the emphasis was on single measures like cavity wall or loft insulation. As retrofit grew into a more all-encompassing energy- saving model, we were able to learn and grow at the same time. Insulation remains an essential element of any energy upgrade.”
mature business than inNorthern Ireland.”
For further information on any of the above please visit www.kingspanretrofit.com
www.northernbuilder.co.uk
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