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PAS 2035 - What ECO installers need to know

What is PAS 2035?

PAS 2035 is the new energy efficiency retrofit standard for ECO funded measures, acting as a framework that sets out an updated specification for the energy retrofit of domestic buildings.

The PAS 2035:2019 specification for the energy retrofit of domestic buildings will undergo a transition period starting June 2019 until June 2021 by which PAS 2035 will become mandatory for all public funded projects which would include ECO funded retrofit projects.

The new standards aim to deliver a whole house approach which takes into account the home, environment, occupancy and the householders' desires. This resolves the problems of retrofit measures being considered in isolation which may accidently damage building energy efficiency overall.

Installers must acquire TrustMark accreditation in order to deliver ECO funded retrofit measures and demonstrate compliance with PAS 2035.

Main changes required by PAS 2035

PAS 2035 demands new roles for firms operating within ECO. The roles provide clear responsibilities and accountabilities to ensure that individuals deliver quality throughout.

The Retrofit Assessor

A retrofit assessor is required to undertake property assessments on the following criteria:

Occupancy Assessment
Energy Assessment and a Condition assessment

These elements inform a Retrofit Coordinator on an energy efficiency improvement plan for the property.

The Retrofit Coordinator

The Retrofit Assessor draws-up the improvement plan which will span a period of 25 years. Before any work can start, the Coordinator must ensure all condition related reports are complete and accurate.

Additionally, it is the Retrofit Coordinator’s responsibility to arrange the design of the measures and to commission the installer to carry out the work.

Retrofit Designers & Advisors

Retrofit Designers install the measures. Retrofit Advisors deliver face-to-face advice to homeowners throughout the retrofit process - including behavioural changes to improve reduce energy use.

How will PAS 2035 change your ways of working?

It is important to develop an understanding of the changes that come with PAS 2035 to avoid unexpected problems.

There are new steps in the process of assessing a property for retrofit energy efficiency measures.

1. Deep assessment

The first step for all new projects is an in-depth assessment of the property – (excluding an Energy Performance Certificate). This must be performed by a qualified Retrofit Assessor.

2. Data gathering

The Assessor will be responsible for collecting data but cannot specify solutions. This process will be modelled using the full SAP score or PHPP (Passive House Planning Package) and handled by the Retrofit Coordinator.

This includes:

The property’s heritage, construction and dimensions
Current services
Defects and improvement opportunities
Existing planning constraints
U-values
Moisture properties and suitability for improvement.
Occupant appraisal. Have they special requirements?
Ventilation review
Air permeability assessment
Yearly fuel consumption and estimated emissions
A significance estimate following BS 7913:2013 which is a guide to the conservation of historic buildings.

3. Risk assessment

The Coordinator assesses project risk using a “Measures Matrix” which will determine the level of technical expertise required.

4. Medium-term retrofit plans

The coordinator puts together a bespoke Medium-term Retrofit Plan for the property based on the assessment. This plan will detail the installation(s) and is uploaded to the TrustMark Data Warehouse.

5. Design input

Each retrofit project requires design input, but ‘Higher risk projects’ require specialist design professional input to ensure works meet specifications.

6. Design and installation

It is the responsibility of the Coordinator to manage the install through to completion.

7. Handover

The Retrofit Coordinator needs to ensure that householders or landlords understand how to make the most of the improvements so they can benefit from reduced fuel bills as well as improved warmth and health benefits.

8. Monitoring and evaluation

Every retrofit project is put through a series of testing, monitoring and evaluation. This ensures any issues are resolved quickly.

How to comply with PAS 2035

Companies must demonstrate that they can fulfil the new processes and roles required under PAS 2035 with compliance monitored by TrustMark.

A transitional period until 30 June 2021 has been introduced to allow firms time to reach the required standard and gain TrustMark certification.

In order to fulfil the required roles, there are multiple providers of training courses for the Retrofit Assessor and Retrofit Coordinator roles.

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