What’s next in retrofit? Q&A with Kenny Lampard on technical innovations

The UK is currently seeing a wave of retrofit innovation as market, policy and technology drivers converge. With around 80% of the homes that will exist in 2050 already built, improving existing housing has become a national priority. Government support has increased through programmes such as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and the Warm Homes: Local Grant, which aim to upgrade millions of homes by 2030 through investment in energy efficiency measures. 

Growing investment is increasing innovation in the retrofit sector. From decision-making data to advanced heat recovery and drones these changes bring opportunities for retrofit supply chain businesses. We spoke to Kenny Lampard, RISE Subject Matter Expert about new technical innovations, and their implications for the retrofit field.

What are some of the key technical innovations emerging in the retrofit market?

“The introduction of PAS 2035 has shifted the industry towards a whole-house approach that considers insulation, ventilation, heating and moisture management as an entire system. This accelerated the adoption of innovations such as advanced heat pumps, smart building monitoring, modern ventilation systems, high-performance insulation materials and solar PV. These innovations are making retrofit faster and more scalable while delivering warmer, healthier and more efficient homes.”

Which ones have been of particular interest to you? 

“I have found the growing use of data to support retrofit planning and delivery particularly exciting. Modern analytics platforms can collate information from multiple data sources to identify properties that are most likely to be suitable for specific retrofit measures, highlight homes that may be eligible for government funding, and flag gaps in existing data. These tools hold huge potential in reducing uncertainty, saving costs and improving the delivery process for Local Authorities, Housing Associations and private landlords.”

Can you tell us about upcoming RISE events regarding innovations in hot water recovery systems and drone surveying? 

“While much of the retrofit sector focuses on insulation, heat pumps and solar PV, a significant amount of energy is still lost every day through hot water use. Systems such as hot water heat recovery systems reuse heat from shower wastewater to pre-warm incoming cold water. The technology operates passively, with no power supply, moving parts or user input required. What I find particularly interesting is its simplicity. As homes become more energy efficient and space heating demand reduces, domestic hot water can account for a larger proportion of household energy use. Wastewater heat recovery offers a relatively straightforward way of tackling this issue without altering occupant behaviour.” 

To find out more, sign up to the RISE Masterclass on heat recovery systems with ZapCarbon

“Traditionally, surveying large housing portfolios has been time-consuming, costly and often required multiple site visits. Today, technologies such as drones, thermal imaging and 3D scanning are streamlining the process by capturing accurate building data quickly and efficiently. These tools help identify defects, assess key building features and reduce the need for repeat visits. The ability to gather accurate information quickly, monitor building conditions and make better-informed investment decisions has the potential to improve both retrofit delivery and long-term asset management.”

To learn more about drone surveying, register for the RISE Masterclass with Bluelime

What innovations are you looking forward to in the future? 

“Looking ahead, I’m particularly interested in how the next generation of energy modelling and building performance tools could improve the quality of retrofit decision-making. The introduction of the Home Energy Model (HEM) has the potential to provide a more detailed and realistic assessment of building performance than the current RdSAP10 methodology once it is released next year. 

“Alongside this, I think one of the most exciting developments is the growing use of in-house performance metrics. Recent research has shown significant differences between modelled and actual building performance, and one of its key recommendations is to expand the use of in-use monitoring. By validating how homes actually perform, rather than relying solely on assumptions, the sector can better target funding, improve retrofit quality and build greater confidence in outcomes. 

“I’m also keen to see how electric heating technologies continue to develop. Heat pumps will remain an important part of the transition, but technologies such as heat batteries provide an alternative option for properties where traditional solutions may be difficult to install. At the same time, the continued expansion of heat networks offers another route to decarbonising dense urban areas while reducing reliance on individual heating systems. Together, these technologies could provide a wider range of solutions for different property types, helping tackle fuel poverty while improving the resilience and flexibility of our housing stock.”

If you are looking to learn more about heat networks, register for the upcoming RISE Masterclass.