Energy services provider Engie has launched a whole house retrofit solution, a “one-stop shop” which it says will “decentralise, digitalise and decarbonise homes”.
The company says its Engie Zero offering is designed to combat the threat posed by existing housing stock to the UK’s net zero goals. It cites the fact that more than 25 per cent of UK CO2 emissions are caused by households, and that “radical steps” are required if the country is to meet the 2050 target.
Customers in local authorities, housing associations and registered providers will be able to retrofit their homes by installing solar PV and battery storage systems, fabric improvements to roof, walls and flooring, a low carbon heating and hot water solution, mechanical ventilation and long-term maintenance and monitoring.
In addition, smart technologies including rapid electric vehicle (EV) charge points can be implemented, as well as grid balancing technologies.
Engie Zero utilises existing revenue streams and incentives such as the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to help finance the upfront costs of the works.
Andy Merrin, divisional head of energy and innovation at Engie UK, said he hoped the solution will drive substantial investment towards mass-scale renovations.
He added: “We know that new homes only account for 1-2 per cent of total housing stock and 80 per cent of the homes of 2050 are already in existence; so it’s clear that our existing supply is a considerable threat to plans for a zero carbon future. More worrying is that in order to meet the UK 2050 target – a total of 300 homes every hour would need to be retrofitted.
“We see it as our duty to bring solutions to market for those who are proactively looking to reduce carbon emissions; and our own research demonstrated that 70 per cent of local authorities have declared a climate emergency. We have therefore, built on our extensive housing retrofit experience – including our work with Energiesprong, delivering some of the UK’s first net zero energy homes – to develop a product that can be tailored to individual and local requirements.
“In launching Engie Zero, we are able to offer our partners with a viable solution to support their climate emergency action plans, help eradicate fuel poverty and improve the quality of accommodation and wellbeing.”