Professor Richard Fitton, Professor of Building Performance at Energy House 2.0, has featured in a new video as part of The Retrofit Revolution series, highlighting the critical role of standards, research, and professional expertise in driving high-quality retrofit across the UK.
In the video, Professor Fitton reflects on the evolution of retrofit, how it has become central to decarbonising homes, and the importance of ensuring that energy efficiency measures are based on robust evidence and sound assessment.
“For a long time, we haven’t focused enough on retrofit,” explains Professor Fitton. “It’s essential we understand a building fully before spending tens of thousands of pounds on improvements. Rigorous assessment helps prevent future problems and ensures retrofit measures are right for the building and its occupants.”
As a long-standing contributor to the development of UK building standards, Professor Fitton has helped shape the guidance that underpins safe and effective retrofit. Most recently, he has contributed to the Retrofit assessment for domestic dwellings – Code of practice, a new BSI standard that supports consistent, high-quality assessment practices across the industry.
Professor Fitton also emphasises the importance of accessibility and transparency in retrofit standards.
“There should be zero barriers to doing retrofit right,” he says. “Every document and standard needed to deliver retrofit properly should be freely available, up to date, and easy to access.”
At Energy House Labs, we remain committed to supporting innovation and professional expertise in retrofit, helping ensure homes are more energy efficient, comfortable, and future-ready.
See the video below for Professor Fitton’s full insights.