Our Work: Deep Retrofits
Delivering nearly zero energy buildings on a broad scale, for new builds and even more importantly for retrofits, will be one of the main challenges for the construction sector moving towards Europe’s 2020 and 2030 energy and climate objectives. The promotion of high quality, extremely efficient renovation approaches as well as the increased uptake of these approaches is of the essence.
Delivering on energy performance
outPHit is bridging the gap between research and reality and addressing barriers to the uptake of high quality deep retrofits by
- INTEGRATING existing renovation approaches that make use of streamlined processes or pre-fabricated elements with the high performance of the EnerPHit Standard
- SUPPORTING building component suppliers to further improve their products, making them compatible with deep retrofits to the EnerPHit Standard
- CRAFTING a certification scheme for whole house renovation systems, tools and guides to support decision making
- DRAFTING simplified monitoring and approval concepts for the renovation design stage
- ENCOURAGING a one-stop-shop business model for deep renovation by collaborating with local contractors and building users.
- BOOSTING demand for streamlined, high performance approaches by involving stakeholders in the promotion of findings
- COMMUNICATING results across Europe with informational material, trainings and workshops to raise awareness and build capacity
The consortium driving the outPHit project is raising awareness for prefabricated and streamlined renovation concepts and supporting renovation projects throughout Europe. Project partners will offer consultation and quality assurance in all seven partner countries to ensure refurbishment outcomes grounded in Passive House principles, meeting the ambitious energy performance requirements of the EnerPHit Standard for retrofits.
Deep retrofits
Faster and cheaper
To be in line with international climate goals, Europe's building stock must be climate neutral by 2050, yet the current rate of retrofitting is not nearly high enough to achieve this. There is thus an urgent need to retrofit our buildings fast and give a much needed boost to Europe's renovation rates. For this, we need retrofitting solutions that are easier, faster and more cost-effective. A variety of retrofitting approaches that make use of prefabrication and streamlined processes have been developed over the years as an answer to this challenge.
Quality is key
In the rush to retrofit, though, it is key that we retain a focus on energy performance and quality. This benefits those who live and work in retrofitted buildings by improving building integrity and levels of comfort while reducing running costs and vulnerability to energy poverty. It is also critical to avoid lock in effects, as a building's long life cycle means that the performance of every retrofit and its emissions potential will be "locked in" for generations to come. When retrofitting, we need to do it right from the start. This is where the EnerPHit Standard, comes into play.
Fit for the future
By integrating Passive House quality with approaches that increase the simplicity and speed of retrofitting, we reach for climate friendly buildings founded on the efficiency first principle. This makes for retrofits that are truly fit for the future – both on the scale and of the quality needed to tackle the climate crisis. This is where outPHit's strength lies.