Retrofit FAQs

PAS 2030 is a British standard that outlines energy efficiency requirements for the installation of energy-saving measures into existing buildings. It covers various aspects of building fabrics (insulation) and building services (heating / electrical systems), providing guidelines for contractors to ensure quality and compliance with government energy efficiency schemes such as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4). PAS 2030 helps improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in the UK's built environment.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is a UK certification scheme that assesses and certifies renewable energy products and installation services, ensuring they meet quality and safety standards. MCS covers technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps, and biomass systems. By promoting high standards and compliance, it helps consumers make informed choices and access government incentives for renewable energy installations. MCS installation certification is mandatory for domestic installs that export power to the National Grid, or those whose owners wish to benefit from Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments. All installers of renewable energy technologies should therefore hold current MCS certification.

The process to achieving PAS 2030 certification is generally:

1. Assessment: Identify the specific energy efficiency measures your business wishes to offer and ensure you have the necessary skills and equipment.

2. Training: Provide training for your workforce in line with PAS 2030 requirements.

3. Quality Management System: Establish a suitable Quality Management System to ensure compliance with the current PAS 2030 standard.

4. Documentation: Prepare the required documentation, including policies and procedures that adhere to PAS 2030 guidelines.

5. Application: Submit an application to a Certification Body accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service). Our team can assist you with this.

6. Assessment: The Certification Body will assess your business, processes, and documentation to ensure compliance with PAS 2030.

7. Certification: Upon successful assessment, you'll receive PAS 2030 certification and your Certification Body will usually register you with TrustMark at the same time.

The process to achieve MCS certification is similar to that for PAS 2030, with some minor differences:

1. Choose technologies: Decide which renewable energy technologies your business wants to work with (e.g., solar PV, heat pumps, biomass).

2. Training and competency: Ensure your staff are trained and competent in the chosen technologies.

3. Quality Management System: Implement a Quality Management System (QMS) to monitor and maintain installation quality across all projects.

4. Product certification: Ensure the products you use meet MCS product standards.

5. Certification Body: Select an MCS Certification Body accredited by UKAS and then apply for certification.

6. Assessment: Undergo an assessment by the Certification Body, which will check your processes, documentation, and installations.

7. Certification: If you meet MCS standards, you'll receive certification, allowing you to self-certify installations and access incentives. You can also use your certification to register with TrustMark, which your Certification Body may do on your behalf.

PAS 2030 covers three categories of measure - building fabrics (insulation), building services mechanical (heating and cooling) and building services electrical (heating and lighting). Popular examples are: loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, internal wall insulation, room in roof insulation, flat roof insulation, floor insulation, glazing and doors, draught proofing, condensing boilers, flue gas heat recovery systems, heating controls, heating system insulation, energy efficient lighting, and electric storage heaters. There are a total of 25 measures specified in PAS 2030:2023.

Please click here for a full list of PAS 2030 energy efficiency measures.

MCS includes 7 microgeneration technologies that can be installed in domestic settings. These are: solar PV, battery storage, solar thermal, heat pumps, micro CHP (combined heat and power) systems, small and micro wind turbines, and biomass boilers.

Further details on the MCS measures are available on our MCS certification page.

The PAS 2035 standard outlines a framework for retrofitting existing buildings with energy efficiency measures to reduce their energy demand. It focuses on ensuring the holistic quality and performance of retrofit projects, emphasising risk assessment, project management, and whole-house considerations. PAS 2030, on the other hand, deals specifically with the installation of energy efficiency measures in existing buildings. While PAS 2035 is a broader framework, PAS 2030 provides detailed specifications for individual retrofit measures and is often used in conjunction with it.

It is not possible to become certified to PAS 2035 - rather, the standard focuses on a set of procedures that should be followed by a Retrofit Coordinator to ensure conformance. In contrast, PAS 2030 certifies retrofit installers and specifies standards for individual energy efficiency measures. So, while companies can be certified to PAS 2030, they are not certified to PAS 2035, which is more about process and project management.

PAS 2035 introduces key roles in the retrofit process:

• Retrofit Advisor: Provides impartial advice to building owners, helping them understand the retrofit process, available options, and potential benefits.

• Retrofit Coordinator: Manages the project, ensures compliance with PAS 2035, and coordinates various retrofit professionals.

• Retrofit Assessor: Evaluates the building's condition and identifies necessary improvements.

• Retrofit Designer: Creates a retrofit plan, considering energy efficiency and overall performance.

• Retrofit Evaluator: Monitors the project's performance and quality post-installation.

These roles work together to ensure effective, comprehensive retrofit projects in accordance with the PAS 2035 standard.

A qualified Retrofit Coordinator is able to fill more than one of these roles, but will likely require additional qualifications and insurances if they are to act as a Retrofit Designer as well.

A Retrofit Coordinator is responsible for project management, compliance with standards, and coordination of professionals. They oversee a project's schedule and budget, ensuring it aligns with PAS 2035 requirements. Their role involves identifying and mitigating risks whilst coordinating Retrofit Assessors, Retrofit Designers, and Retrofit Installers. Essentially, Retrofit Coordinators ensure the efficient, compliant, and organised execution of retrofit projects, promoting successful outcomes in accordance with industry standards and best practice.

A Retrofit Assessor surveys existing buildings to determine their current energy performance, how this is impacted by occupancy considerations, their condition and any potential problems that exist, such as condensation, damp or mould growth. A Retrofit Assessment Report (RAR) is instructed by the Retrofit Coordinator and used to develop a comprehensive retrofit plan, ensuring that improvements align with client needs and the requirements set out in PAS 2035. A well-executed Retrofit Assessment will allow a knowledgeable Coordinator to prescribe significant improvements to a building whilst avoiding unintended consequences at the same time.

Retrofit Coordinator training and qualification often builds upon many previous years of experience and training. The Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management itself can be undertaken in a learner-led, tutor-guided fashion. It notionally involves 105 eLearning hours, with a number of face-to-face sessions, either in a classroom or online. Assuming the candidate is in employment at the same time as their training, a motivated learner should be able to complete their training and become qualified within around 12 weeks. Others may choose to take longer, which is perfectly acceptable. It is unusual for a candidate to take longer than a year to become a Retrofit Coordinator.

There are numerous professionals whom might benefit from this Award, but in the context of retrofit it is generally aimed at upskilling Retrofit Assessors and Retrofit Coordinators. The qualification is mandatory for any retrofit professional that needs to work on such properties. This is generally those constructed before 1919 and includes a large portion of the UK housing stock that is of solid wall construction (approximately 6.5 million buildings). Interested parties can apply for their funded place on our course here.

Our Level 3 and Level 5 NVQ courses are delivered in a hybrid fashion, using a blend of online materials delivered via our eLearning platform, individual or group tuition sessions on Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and face-to-face classroom sessions at our centres in Coventry, Tamworth and West Bromwich, or at your workplace.

On registration, each learner will be sent a pack containing all the relevant materials to begin their learning, including access details to our online training materials. A member of our team will then arrange an initial online meeting to guide them through these materials and how to begin work.

Most courses are divided into a number of modules, with each having an assessment at the end. Learners are invited to book online meetings with their dedicated trainer when they are part-way through a module and before they undertake any assessments, if they wish. We do our best to tailor our approach and delivery to each individual candidate, ensuring they get the most out of their learning, build practical experience, and complete training in a manner that integrates with their other day-to-day activities.

It is usually best that candidates get to know their assigned tutors and arrange a telephone discussion with them prior to or at registration, so that their training needs can be fully considered.

Funding opportunities for domestic retrofit can generally be divided into two streams - those accessible to private householders (e.g., those who own their home or rent from a private landlord), and those aimed at Social Housing. The schemes that are presently available are:

• Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) - whole-house retrofit for householders who are vulnerable or in receipt of certain means-tested benefits.

• Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) - support for homeowners living in a Council Tax band A-D property, with low-cost energy efficiency upgrades.

• Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF2) - accessible by Local Authorities and Social Housing providers, in order to upgrade their own housing stock.

• Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) - energy efficiency and low carbon heating upgrades, accessible by Householders directly from their Local Authority.

• Boiler Upgrade Scheme - grants to cover part of the cost of replacing a fossil fuel heating system with a heat pump or a biomass boiler.

The landscape for energy efficiency funding in the UK is currently quite complex, with the schemes having differing eligibility requirements. The good news is that the vast majority of households can benefit in one way or another. Please contact us to arrange a free consultation and to identify your eligibility for funding towards your project.

Whole-house retrofit takes a systematic and holistic approach to improving the energy performance of a dwelling. It prioritises a "fabric-first" methodology, which involves addressing the building's resistance to heat loss through installing insulation measures before implementing further upgrades related to heating or power generation. For example, installing a heat pump may well be counterproductive if the property cannot effectively retain the heat that it generates. This could potentially lead to unintended consequences such as increased energy consumption.

The whole-house approach also ensures the development of a comprehensive ventilation strategy for the dwelling. This strategy takes into account factors like indoor air quality, moisture control, and resistance to condensation, damp or mould growth. Proper ventilation not only ensures a healthier living environment but also contributes to maintaining the structural integrity of the building. As such, a whole-house retrofit approach should not only focus on energy efficiency, but should also consider the overall wellbeing of the occupants and sustainability of the home.

LA Flex is often used to describe a funding qualification mechanism called Local Authority Eligibility Flexibility, which assists homeowners or private tenants with the installation of energy efficiency measures. All Local Authorities in England and Wales are obligated to provide support for vulnerable residents or those whom may be deemed to be in fuel poverty. The scheme allows those who are not in receipt of means tested benefits but are on low incomes, have health issues and are vulnerable to the cold, or are in fuel poverty, to access funded energy efficiency improvements. The source of funding for such upgrades is usually, but not solely, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4).

To assist in qualifying residents for LA Flex, Trade Engine work with the National Energy Foundation, who assist us in processing these applications on behalf of the end customer. The regions covered include large parts of the South Midlands, the Home Counties and the South East. We also work directly with some Local Authorities in other regions across the East and West Midlands and into East Anglia. Interested parties are invited to contact us for an initial discussion.

Once you've had a read through our online materials about PAS 2035, PAS 2030 certification or MCS certification, the quickest way to progress your enquiry is to fill out the application form at the bottom of these pages. Alternatively, please feel free to call us on 0330 223 0606 - your call will be answered straight away and details taken.

A member of the Trade Engine QMS team will then be in touch via telephone or e-mail, usually the same day or within 24 working hours. They'll run through your requirements with you and answer any questions you may have.

Should you wish to proceed, you can either let us know on the 'phone or by e-mail - ordering is completely at your discretion. On instruction, we will send through an invoice the the QMS package you have selected with details for payment via BACS or online banking, which is our preferred payment method.

On receipt of payment, we'll set your account up straight away. You will receive an invitation to join the Trade Engine QMS portal that has been set up for your organisation, allowing you to create your own username and password before being granted immediate access. Your assigned QMS mentor / consultant will then be in touch to arrange a suitable time to support you on working with our systems and working towards certification. This support is usually delivered via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, but can also be delivered in-person by arrangement.

Since accreditation and certification is an annual process, we issue 12 month licenses to use our QMS systems and receive our support. 14 days prior to your annual renewal date, you will receive an e-mail from us asking if you wish to renew. You can respond and let us know which options are best for you. We recognise that not all organisations will need to retain certification year on year. Whilst this is definitely advised, some require it for a specific project or tender and then don't necessarily need to renew until a later date.

On instruction of your renewal, we will send through an invoice for your annual license, for payment via BACS or online banking. On confirmation that we've received your payment, your account license will be extended or re-activated for a further 12 months, and confirmation e-mails will be sent along with details as to how to access your account again (for example, if you can't remember your username and password). Your assigned QMS mentor will also be in touch again via telephone or e-mail.

For QMS renewals, we also offer the option to pay in monthly instalments via Direct Debit and we manage our mandates through GoCardless. If you choose this option at renewal, our team will send a link to complete the necessary Direct Debit instruction online. Unfortunately, we're not able to allow new clients (in their first year as a customer) to choose to pay via Direct Debit due to the initial time we put in to preparing your business for certification.

The simple answer to this question: yes. We do not and never would want to obstruct any of our clients or users in gaining access to their data.

If your QMS license expires and you choose not to renew, we allow a 14 day grace period in which you can download your data from our platform. Our download functions make this very straightforward, so it should only take you a few minutes.

After this period, we will archive your account. This does not mean that your data is lost - rather (and with your approval), it can be stored in our archives so that your account can be reactivated, with your data immediately reinstated, at any point in the future. Please note, however, that whilst you don't have an active QMS license, you will not be able to use your QMS system or its functions, or present your QMS for audit by a Certification Body using our platform. The simplest thing to do at this point is to contact us to renew your annual license.

All Trade Engine QMS users can, at any point, request that their data is made available to them and/or deleted permanently. Please e-mail our Data Protection Officer to request this, should an annual renewal not be and is never likely to be required.

You can click here to access the login page, or type the following URL into any web browser: https://portal.tradeengine.co.uk

If you cannot remember your username or password, please follow the instructions under 'Forgot Password?' on the Trade Engine login screen. Failing that, please call us on 0330 223 0606 between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, and a member of our technical support team shall be glad to assist you in gaining access to your account. Outside of those times, although we may not always be available, please do leave a clear voice message with your request so that a member of our team can action it out of hours if able to do so.

You'll already have submitted a signed application form via our website, which are available on our Retrofit Training pages. For Level 3 courses, there are generally no prerequisites to entry, so your application will be forwarded to our accounts team who will send an e-mail or call you to introduce the course you've applied for and arrange payment of any learner contribution necessary, as well as describing any post-qualification rebates you may be entitled to.

Level 5 courses do have some admission prerequisites, so your application will instead have been passed to one of our Verifiers for the course you've applied for. They will assess your application and will be in touch via telephone or e-mail if there's any information missing or clarifications needed, before (as above) passing your application to a member of our accounts team for invoicing.

We will then award your place on the course - this is always done in a fair manner on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll receive an invoice for any learner contribution that it is agreed you or your company will need to pay, for payment via BACS or online banking. On confirmation of payment, you'll receive a number of e-mails introducing you to the course and providing you access to our eLearning platform. Your course tutor will also be in touch directly within a couple of days of this point.

We welcome any questions about our process and wish to make it as easy and straightforward as possible for you.

We generally much prefer to send an invoice for payment via BACS or in online banking - this seems to be the easiest and most traceable payment mechanism for us and our clients and comes with some additional levels of security and protection.

Should you still wish to make a payment via credit or debit card, we can send you a secure link to do so online. The payment processing platforms we use are GoCardless and PayPal. However, for complete reassurance, traceability and financial protection, we think it's always safest to issue an invoice for BACS payment.

We regret that Trade Engine are unable to accept card payments over the telephone.