By 2050, the UK government wants the country’s carbon emissions to be net zero. Part of this includes a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and the potential phasing out of gas boilers in new homes.
With this target in mind, it’s clear that thinking sustainably is a key concern across the board. One way that businesses are planning for a more environmentally friendly future is through green retrofitting. But what is this? And what are the pros and cons?
What is green retrofitting?
Green retrofitting is popular among businesses that want to both make their premises more sustainable and boost their environmental credentials. It involves upgrading older buildings to make them more sustainable.
New builds must meet certain sustainability standards and be constructed in line with today’s regulations, but existing buildings might need to be updated.
It can be anything from introducing new systems to adding equipment. For instance, a business might decide to upgrade the heating system, swapping outdated systems with upgraded technologies that are more energy efficient. On a smaller scale, they may opt to refit lighting systems, doing away with traditional bulbs, and replacing them with greener LEDs.
Likewise, plumbing systems could become the focus. Here, leaky pipes and old taps could be upgraded in a bid to reduce wasted water.
The advantages and disadvantages of green retrofitting commercial properties
There are pros and cons when it comes to green retrofitting. Some of the advantages are:
- Meeting the standard – by investing in green retrofitting, businesses are bringing these older buildings up to modern standards.
- Energy efficiency – this isn’t just important because the government wants us to be net zero by 2050. It’s important because it helps reduce emissions right now.
- Potential savings – businesses could be spending more than they need to on energy and water. By looking at the current setup and swapping things around, they could save in the long run.
- Reputation boost – both prospective employees and industries as a whole are looking at the green credentials of a company. If you’re focusing on sustainability, you’re likely to be better perceived.
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Some of the main disadvantages are:
- Cost – upgrades are expensive. Businesses need to budget for these changes and that can be costly.
- Time – implementing these changes can be a lengthy process.
- Risk – there are risks associated with making changes to these buildings. For instance, older buildings might become damaged in the upgrade process. It might be worth taking out contract works insurance for a layer of protection in case things don’t go to plan.
The future
If you’re thinking of green retrofitting your business, it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons. Ultimately, any steps towards making businesses across a range of industries greener can get us closer to reaching carbon net zero.
