Podcasts about retrofit

In a slight departure from our usual building performance themes joining us for this episode we have Richard Muscat, a man who has experienced the world of investment and tech from a fascinating range of angles and is seeking ways to do things differently.In essence, we're looking at the way venture capital and climatetech are organised in ways that aren't conducive to delivering the impact that's promised. We're not just picking on VCs, we're using them as a means of highlighting a bunch of systemic economic issues—chief among them is how unrealistic goals for growth (in its myriad forms) almost always leads to failed impact. Perversely, it's a bug in the impact investment space that's a feature of the broader investment system.We also get into concepts of degrowth and economic biodiversity.Good Homes Alliance eventLaunch event of our a best practice guide to ‘Water Efficiency and Reuse in Housing' on Thursday 10 July.Notes from the showRichard Muscat on LinkedinThe Untangled websiteRichard's recent LinkedIn post that we mentionThe Project Drawdown websiteHuman flourishing doesn't require perpetual growth; it requires sufficiency, by Jason HickelSmarter Finance 4 EU — the project Jeff's been working on and promoting because green home certification is about not just energy use, or IAQ, etc, but how residents live their lives once they leave the front door i.e. nature + cycling + public transport + climate resilience etc. all matter**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Retrofit Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

#223EPC knowledge represents the ultimate difference between UK  property survival or total business collapse.Understanding the changes to Energy Performance Certificates is absolutely critical.EPCs are actually a bigger deal than the renters rights bill. Make sure you listen to the end of the show  for the actions you need to take to make sure you're not caught out.And, for the opportunites that all of this could create.This episode leans heavily on content from The Independent Landlord's website and YouTubeIn this episode:EPC Changes Looming: All rental properties to achieve a minimum C by 2030 (2028 for new tenancies).Massive Financial Impact: The collective cost to landlords for meeting these new EPC requirements is estimated at £36 billion (upgrade costs capped at £15,000 per property)Flaws in the Current EPC System: The present system criticized for its subjectivity and questionable accuracy, prompting a complete overhaul of assessment methodology from 2026.Shift from Cost to Carbon: EPC assessments will transition from being based on energy cost to focusing on fabric performance, heating system efficiency, and “smart readiness,” aligned with the UK's net zero emissions goal by 2050.Shortage of Skilled Tradespeople: shortage estimated at 500,000 over the next 5 years, potentially rising retrofit costs.Limited Exemptions and Grants: While listed buildings are exempt, grants like the Energy Company Obligation and Warmer Homes Scheme are available, subject to strict eligibility criteria.Advice for Landlords: Landlords should get new EPCs for high Cs  before 2026, focus on fabric upgrades (insulation / windows). Avoid major changes eg new boilers until regulations clearer.Increasing Professionalisation:  “Accidental” landlords encouraged  to exit  paving the way for larger or more professional investors.Opportunities Amid Challenges: Professional, forward-thinking landlords who invest in compliance and improvements may benefit from less competition.Practical Action StepsI'd Like Help With Setting My GoalsLeave a reviewJoin our WhatsApp  group / access  37 Question Due Diligence Checklist / 23 Step Guide to Buying Property at AuctionInstagramExclusive Property Engine discounts (Code: EXPAT)Starter package: 30 day trialPro package  30 day trial, then 3 months 1/2 price, Ultimate package, 1/2 price 3 monthsKeywordsUK property investment, Energy Performance Certificate UK, EPC changes 2025, EPC requirements for landlords, EPC rating C UK, EPC cost for landlords, Landlord legal requirements UK, EPC upgrades UK 2028, Net zero property UK, Private rental sector regulations UK, Renters Rights Bill UK, UK landlord costs 2025, Energy efficiency grants UK, Retrofit skills shortage UK, Minimum energy efficiency standard UK, EPC assessment process, Expat landlord UK, Property market trends UK 2025, UK, Professional landlord UK tips, Green mortgages UK, Boiler Upgrade Scheme UK, Insulation grants for landlords UK,  Institutional landlords UK, Accidental landlord regulations UK, UK property compliance checklist, EPC strategy for landlords, UK property future-proofing

Host Paula Palmer is joined by Nick Harris, Chief Executive at Stonewater, Catherine Evans, Director of Homes Operations at Stonewater, and Mark Astbury, Partner at Ridge, a built environment consultancy.Our guests discuss how investment is planned - from new kitchens and heating systems to window replacements and landscaping improvements – and how investment aligns with sector challenges, including sustainability, affordability, and future-proofing homes to meet evolving needs.Nick emphasizes the importance of proactive investment and the use of AI to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction, Catherine highlights the need for creating environments where residents can flourish and the role of partnerships in achieving this whilst Mark discusses the impact of advanced technology on housing investment and the importance of holistic investment planning.Join us for this engaging episode as we explore the multifaceted approach to investing in homes and communities, ensuring they are fit for the future and supportive of residents' aspirations.

In this episode we're talking about Zero Bills Homes, so we welcome back Nigel Banks, this time accompanied by his Octopus colleague Emma Fletcher*.We're not directly talking Fabric Fifth again but the concept is central to the Octopus zero bills strategy i.e. prioritising decarbonising energy use and reducing the cost of energy use rather than focusing on reducing energy demand through fabric measures. As before, basic fabric standards are required in order to make the proposition financially viable.As you might imagine, Jeff was keen to dig into the technical and performance side, so Nigel explains what's going on in the standard and what they know about how well it's functioning and Emma fills us in on how it's shaping up to evolve into a building standard in its own right. We're particularly keen because—although we might be sceptical, which we discuss—the action that Octopus is initiating will raise standards and will shape expectations that will influence the whole residential construction sector, and could go some way to catalysing the bridging of the skills gap.*She, too, works at Octopus Energy—she is not an actual octopus.Notes from the showNigel Banks on LinkedinEmma Fletcher on LinkedinThe Octopus Zero Bills proposition in their own words The Octopus Tenant Power propositionNigel Banks' addressing the embodied carbon question on LinkedIn Link to The Octopus Energy Tech Summit (23rd June)The Fabric Fifth ZAP episode from last year**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Retrofit Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

In this episode, Cherise is joined by Ryan Jang, AIA, Principal at Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects in San Francisco, California. They discuss the Walker Hall Graduate Student Center at the University of California, Davis .You can see the project here as you listen along.Walker Hall at UC Davis is a striking example of adaptive reuse, transforming a vacant 1927 agricultural engineering building into a vibrant center for graduate and professional students. Once seismically unsafe and underused, the 34,000 square foot structure now anchors the campus core as a hb for learning, collaboration, and community.If you enjoy this episode, visit arcat.com/podcast for more. If you're a frequent listener of Detailed, you might enjoy similar content at Gābl Media. Mentioned in this episode:ARCATemy

Nur mit modernen Neubauten lässt sich die Dekarbonisierung der Weltflotte nicht bewerkstelligen, Umbauten und Retrofits spielen eine entscheidende Rolle. Oder? Rolf Stiefel, Regional Chief Executive Marine and Offshore bei der Klassifikationsgesellschaft Bureau Veritas (BV), hat dazu eine differenzierte Meinung. Der erfahrene Schifffahrtsmanager spricht in der neuen Episode des HANSA PODCASTs über Pro & Contra, Chancen und Grenzen der oftmals als „Patentrezept“ angeführten Herangehensweise Retrofit. Es geht um kommerzielle und technologische Abwägungen zu Kraftstoffen, Motoren, Propeller, Windkraft, Elektro-Antrieben & Co. In der öffentlichen Diskussion geht es beim Thema Retrofit sehr oft um den Motor – Stichwort „alternative Kraftstoffe“. Stiefel meint, das sei auf jeden Fall eine sehr vielversprechende Option, weil man diverse Vorgaben auf einen Schlag erfüllen kann. Aber: „Dabei handelt es sich blöderweise um eine der teuersten Maßnahmen, die man sich vorstellen kann, und es ist extrem aufwendig.“ Auch daher sollte man sich seiner Ansicht nach nicht zu sehr auf den Kraftstoff fokussieren und weitere Maßnahmen in den Blick nehmen, so Stiefel, der im Gespräch auf einige einige Ansatzpunkte detailliert eingeht. Dabei geht es unter anderem um Propeller-Effizienz und Mewis-Düsen, „sehr sehr sehr erfolgreiche technologische Entwicklungen“ und „relativ einfache Maßnahmen“, Propeller-Retrofits, Wulstbug-Anpassungen und Silikon-Beschichtungen, Windkraft und Batterien. Aber nicht alles sei für alle Regularien hilfreich, "da muss man genau hinschauen".  Am Ende hänge aber doch sehr vieles am Brennstoff. Auch die unvermeidliche Frage „Welche Alternative wird es denn werden?“ ist Thema der Episode. Stiefel erläutert seine Sicht auf die Dinge, welcher Kraftstoff aus technologischer Sicht am besten geeignet wäre und warum er dennoch nicht zwingend in der großen Breite zur Anwendung kommen dürfte. Der ehemalige Manager des Motorenentwicklers WindGD, der „immer noch gute Kontakte in die Branche“ hat, spricht unter anderem über eine Abstufung von Retrofit-Kosten je nach Kraftstoffwahl. Auch ein De-Rating eines Motors sei ein bekanntes, sehr gutes Konzept, so Stiefel, der über 20 bis 30 Gramm Brennstoffvorteil pro Kilowattstunde spricht, „das ist gigantisch“. Darüber hinaus beinhalte ein Retrofit generell stets diverse Risiken und eine große Anzahl an Unwägbarkeiten – auch finanziell –, weil selbst Schwesterschiffe nicht zu 100% identisch seien. Stiefel spricht über Schwierigkeiten in der Vorbereitung. Entsprechend halten sich viele Werften eher zurück. Man komme finanziell relativ schnell an einen Punkt, an dem größere Maßnahmen nicht darstellbar seien – vor allem für Tramp- oder Charter-Reeder. Es geht um Planungssicherheit und Payback-Zeiten. "Da sehe ich die größte Schwierigkeit.“ Stiefel bezweifelt, dass es für eine große Welle ausreichend Werftkapazität gibt, und er erklärt, wie er zu dieser Einschätzung kommt. „Ich bin eher der Meinung, dass es zwar noch einige Retrofits geben wird, aber dass es eben nicht die Mainstream-Variante wird.“ Er glaubt eher wieder an den Tonnage-Ersatz durch Neubauten als „interessanteren Weg“, den er auch erläutert – nicht nur, aber auch mit Blick auf seine Erwartungen an sinkende Preise und das fortschreitende Alter der Flotte. In der Episode geht es außerdem um „Wow-Projekte“ und „No-Brainer“, LNG, Methanol, Ammoniak, Bio-Kraftstoffe, Finanzielle Abwägungen, „Über-powerte Schiffe“ und Motoren-De-Rating, Investitionen und Payback-Probleme, Container- und MPP-Schiffe, LNG-Ammoniak-Umrüstungen und internationale Umweltpolitik.

This episode is all about a retrofit programme gone wrong in Preston and the effort required to fix it. It's a story that was covered in the pages of Passive House Plus back in 2018 under the headline "Disastrous Preston retrofit scheme remains unresolved" and until recently we thought it remained unresolved.We're joined by Filipe Amarante and Joanna Curtis to talk about the Preston Retrofit Catastrophe and all the work that National Energy Action has been doing to fix the grotesque damage that was wrought on a community in the 2010s. It's a project that's consumed at least four years and—in truth—will require many more to make good.It's not a hopeless story though. The work NEA has carried out is full of lessons for anyone who works in retrofit to learn. They've taken a worst case scenario—one so bad it's hard to imagine how you could make it any worse—and developed a remediation programme that mitigates the worst of the situation while laying out a best-practice template for how one should approach place-based retrofit programmes.They're also hosting a NEA webinar about the programme on 10 June: sign up here.Notes from the showThe Passive House Plus article: "Disastrous Preston retrofit scheme remains unresolved"Filipe on LinkedInJoanna on LinkedInThe NEA website The NEA's summary report on the project (and video): Warm and Safe Homes in FishwickMore photos of the disaster in "When retrofit goes wrong – lessons from Preston", a presentation by Kate de Selincourt, the writer who brought this story to Jeff's attentionCathy Come Home on IMDBA Taste of Honey on IMDBRiff-Raff on IMDB **SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

Bishop & Taylor approve of a significant Supreme Court victory for Barratt Developments and take opposing views on the government's plan to prevent land banking. They also discuss a report from a group of MPs calling for a licensing scheme for individuals and companies engaged in domestic energy efficiency retrofits.

(May 27,2025)Trump administration cancels FEMA earthquake retrofit grants. Immigration is the only thing propping up California's population. Buying 100% American is really, really hard. So, what happens to America's 114 billion pennies once the US stops making them.

Wusstest du, dass rund 90 % aller Gebäude in der Schweiz energetisch ineffizient betrieben werden? Genau hier setzt das Retrofit+ Konzept von Belimo an. In dieser Podcastfolge sprechen wir mit Daniel Senn, dem Leiter Marketing & RetroFIT+ bei Belimo Schweiz, über eine einfache, aber wirkungsvolle Lösung zur Betriebsoptimierung von HLK-Anlagen in Bestandsimmobilien. Mit dem HLK-Assessment-Tool lassen sich bereits in einem Tag konkrete Einsparpotenziale bei CO₂ und Energie aufdecken. Daniel erklärt, warum der Fokus zuerst auf intelligente Regeltechnik gelegt werden sollte – noch vor dem Austausch ganzer Heizsysteme. Besonders spannend: die Resultate eines Innovationsprojekts des Bundes, das Einsparungen von über 30 % belegt. Wir erfahren, wie Verwaltungen, Eigentümer und Fachplaner einfach einsteigen können, welche Rolle Systemintegratoren und Planer als Retrofit+ Partner übernehmen und wie man durch kleine Investitionen massive Effekte erzielen kann. Diese Folge ist ein Muss für alle, die Immobilien nachhaltig bewirtschaften oder instand halten.    

We are joined by Valentina Marincioni (UCL, UKCMB) and returning guest Toby Cambray (Greengauge) to talk about the bane of all buildings: moisture.Recently, they they've produced a simple explainer video about "breathability" in buildings for the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings. Given Jeff's proclivity for referring to the 'sweatability' of buildings this seemed like a perfect opportunity to have Toby back and meet his colleague Valentina.We got into the subject of moisture in some depth, discussed the key terms (vapour diffusion, hygroscopicity, and capillary action), why this all matters, what's important to understand and how it's easily misunderstood and easily miscommunicated.We also play the audio from the video.Notes from the showBuildings Don't Breathe, the video that led to the conversationToby on LinkedInValentina on LinkedInThe UKCMB website and the tools and guidance they host thereThe recent Historic England paper: Air and Vapour Control Layers (AVCLs) in buildings of traditional construction. A literature review to understand appropriate useThe BSI white paper about 4 Cs (context, coherence, capacity, and caution) framework for the development of moisture standards in the UKThe paper Toby wrote with Sarah Price on moisture in Enerphit: Moisture and EnerPHit - Good Practice Guide (December 2023)Toby's appearance on the House Planning Help podcast talking about all things WUFIThe Greengauge consultancy website (Toby's consultancy, with others, too)**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

Ouça e compartilhe essa reflexão! Instagram: @igrejaseramor Site: ⁠www.igrejaseramor.com.br⁠ GENEROSIDADE – Pix: igrejaseramor@gmail.com Dados Bancários Banco: SICOOB -756 Agência: 3010 | Conta Corrente: 1987143 | CNPJ: 50.195.313/0001-10

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome Ben Hildebrandt, a passionate advocate for building science and green technology education at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Ben shares his winding career path—from automotive mechanics to aircraft maintenance to architectural technology—and how that journey has shaped his deep commitment to sustainable building practices. Ben discusses the role of applied research at SAIT, highlighting its focus on real-world implementation of green technologies in residential and commercial buildings. He covers the challenges of deep energy retrofits, labor shortages, and siloed efforts within the industry, and offers insights into training programs aimed at bridging those gaps. The conversation also explores comfort, thermal resilience, and the importance of integrating mechanical systems with building envelopes to avoid costly failures. Whether you're a contractor, designer, educator, or just curious about the future of high-performance buildings, this episode delivers a comprehensive look at what's working—and what still needs work—in the green building movement. Some great quotes from the episode: You can't have a green building if you ignore building science—it's the foundation for comfort, health, and durability." "The real challenge isn't technology—it's training enough people to use it right." "We don't need more silos in this industry. We need bridges."   Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brhildebrandt/ Residential Deep Energy Retrofit Guide (Free PDF Download): https://www.enbix.ca/document/a-guide-to-deep-energy-retrofits/   SAIT Applied Research and Innovation Services Hub: https://www.sait.ca/research-and-innovation-services   Retrofit Canada (some great completed Canadian Retrofit Case studies here): https://retrofitcanada.com/       This episode was recorded in May 2025.  

Ouça e compartilhe essa reflexão! Instagram: @igrejaseramor Site: ⁠www.igrejaseramor.com.br⁠ GENEROSIDADE – Pix: igrejaseramor@gmail.com Dados Bancários Banco: SICOOB -756 Agência: 3010 | Conta Corrente: 1987143 | CNPJ: 50.195.313/0001-10

Back in February, President Donald Trump said Boeing's progress on the new Air Force One was taking too long, and he threatened to go another way, maybe even dipping into the used aircraft market to find something to convert. Well, it appears that the president has reached the end of his patience and is now repurposing a used Qatari plane to become the new Air Force One, and he's tasked one of Boeing's contractors to get it done.

Toby Cambray talks about the experience of working on his own retrofit project, and the lessons learnt in the process. Check out the show notes for more information.

Ohio school districts fall to Trump administration blackmail on DEI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ouça e compartilhe essa reflexão! Instagram: @igrejaseramor Site: ⁠www.igrejaseramor.com.br⁠ GENEROSIDADE – Pix: igrejaseramor@gmail.com Dados Bancários Banco: SICOOB -756 Agência: 3010 | Conta Corrente: 1987143 | CNPJ: 50.195.313/0001-10

Joining us for this episode are Tom Cox and Sally Sattary co-founders of Decent Energy. They have a software startup borne of a retrofit experience that did not meet its homeowner expectations, a proprietary software that works to maximise the value of battery storage to improve two key metrics: reducing cost of electricity and reducing the carbon intensity of the energy you do use.There's a bunch of chat about the potential of decentralised energy management to help people in all sorts of ways, from reducing one's individual impact to helping the grid cope with occasionally, dangerously abundant renewable energy—an issue which costs every household something like £40 per year, just to turn off the generation facility let it overload the grid.Anyway, there's loads in there. You can find Decent Energy, Tom, and Sally in all the usual places (links below).Notes from the showTom Cox on LinkedInSally Sattary on LinkedInDecent Energy's websiteDecent Energy on LinkedInSaul Griffith's website - an author who inspired Tom to work on the problem of energy decentralisation and demand decarbonisation**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

The UK's ambitious target to reach net zero by 2050 requires significant change across the construction industry. The retrofit of historic building stock will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in helping to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon. But against the backdrop of a growing skills shortage, will challenges across the construction workforce hinder the much-needed retrofit revolution? In the latest episode of the 21CC podcast, two CITB experts convene to answer this question and explore the skills-related challenges and opportunities that will shape the retrofit sector. The speakers are: Wendy Osborn, head of strategic operations at CITB Kevin McLoughlin FCIOB, managing director of McLoughlin Group Holdings and member of the CITB board The discussion also addresses: Are apprenticeship pathways into retrofit-related careers working? How is the perception of retrofit skills and competence evolving, particularly in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry? How is CITB working with employers to support the recruitment of new talent and upskill the existing workforce? If you would like a transcript of the episode, please email Nadine.Buddoo@atompublishing.co.uk

Former Alderman Jed Morris joins Pete Jansons, Joe Weiss, and Jeff Urso to cut through the noise and lay out the real story behind Lake Forest's new police station. Why did the city move fast? Why Field Drive? Was this a smart investment — or a political vanity project? Jed pulls no punches as he breaks down why the old Deerpath facility is falling apart, why expanding it wasn't an option, and how Lake Forest scored a once-in-a-generation real estate deal.We also dive into the real numbers:

Toby Cambray talks about the risks associated with moisture in buildings, and the modelling techniques – like WUFI® – that can be used to assess those risks. Check out the show notes for more information.

This episode is a window into the consumer side of domestic retrofit that's full of lessons for everyone involved in the retrofit sector. We speak with retrofit influencer Judith Leary Joyce about the experience of undergoing a deep retrofit and learning how to communicate about the subject with normal people. She talks us through her journey from building an extension during the pandemic to getting deep into retrofit and eventually becoming an unlikely retrofit influencer.Whether you work in a domestic, commercial, or industrial setting the nature and needs of normal people will remain the same, so this is an episode full of lessons and insights for anyone  for anyone involved in domestic retrofit about:- how to speak with normal people- how to learn how to do better (TLDR: listen to yourself, or get someone to listen to you to check whether you're baffling your customers)- how to think about their needs and understand their perspectives- how to inspire them and inform them better prior to a projectShe's also got some fascinating insights about when people are likely to be able or willing to listen to someone talking about building performance and taking on new ideasNotes from the showJudith on LinkedInJudith on InstagramJudith on FacebookJudith on TwitterJudith on LinktreeJudith's Eco Renovation Home websiteBeginner's Guide to Eco Renovation: Understand the Basics and the Best Questions to Ask by Judith Leary Joyce (I couldn't find a properly independent bookshop stocking it)**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

Curt and Sarah talk to Kyle Barry, manager of precision upgrades marketing; Clint Chaffer, product marketing lead for precision upgrades at John Deere about retrofitting new technology into current equipment. They also get a weather outlook from Weather 20/20.Episode links John Deere Precision retrofitting Weather 20/20

Chadwick Collins, SPRI's Technical Director, tells us all about what SPRI's been working on behind the scenes and some new updates, including the 2025 revision of the RD-1 standard, formally titled ANSI/SPRI RD-1 Performance Standard for Retrofit Drains.

In this episode, we chat with Emily about her bold transformation of an eighties bungalow on the Isle of Wight.What started as a struggle with initial design plans evolved into a complete re-imagining of the home, turning it into a stunning villa style space with two wings.Emily shares the technical and design challenges she faced. The importance of retrofitting for energy efficiency and the realities of managing a major renovation. Sponsored by Plykea;Web: https://www.plykea.com/Insta: @plykeakitchensBrought to you by HomeNotes;Web: https://homenotes.coInsta: @wearehomenotes Budget Webinar this monthHands on guidance to make a real budget for your renovation

The latest trends and sustainability innovations in the world of commercial real estate.What does it take to build a zero-carbon ready residential development?In this episode, NatWest's Ashley Toy is joined by Stephen Andrew, Group Technical Director at Taylor Wimpey, to explore the methods, materials, and technologies powering a pioneering zero-carbon ready home. From early planning challenges through to design and development, they explore what it really takes to deliver sustainable homes at scale.NB. This was recorded on 13 February 2025. Get more tips, tools, and strategies to help navigate your sustainability journey today: Unlocking value in commercial real estate: strategies to decarbonise for growth Case Study: How Robertson Group is seizing new opportunities through retrofitting Case Study: How Barwood Capital is leveraging sustainability for long-term success Carbon Planner: sign up to measure your carbon footprint and explore how your business could potentially reduce emissions Retrofit training progress: support to help you make your premises more energy efficient 

Passando a Limpo: Nesta segunda-feira (14), Igor Maciel e a bancada do programa conversam com Ana Paula Vilaça. A Chefe do gabinete do centro histórico da Prefeitura do Recife fala sobre o Retrofit. O vereador do Recife, Eduardo Moura (NOVO), conversa sobre as fiscalizações na área da saúde. O programa também conta com a participação de Eliane Cantanhêde.

Returning champions Richard O'Hegarty and Oliver Kinnane join us to discuss a recently co-authored paper: Understanding the embodied carbon credentials of modern methods of construction (MMC).Get ready for a long meandering discussion that gets into what they learned and what they think about accounting practices for embodied carbon, as well as plenty of chatter about MMC and why we hate the term (but not what it is).Notes from the showRichard O'Hegarty on LinkedInOliver Kinnane on LinkedInA link to Richard's post about the paper and a link to Jeff's comment The paper itself: Understanding the embodied carbon credentials of modern methods of construction Their UCD webpage That Compromised insulation paper (**warning, sadly paywalled but check it if you can**)RKD's website The RKD and Hibernia Real Estate-produced paper: Understanding Net Zero Commercial Real Estate ZAP 8 May 2023: How should we calculate carbon and how long should a building last? With Dr Oliver Kinnane and Dr Richard O'Hegarty of University College Dublin ZAP 1 May 2023: MMC is value engineering that should benefit everyone, with Emma Elston and Amandeep Singh Kalra of Be First Regeneration**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

For this episode we were joined by Nathan Gambling. For those that are new to him, he's heating engineer of some repute, a renowned educator, and a fellow podcaster.  The episode revolves around the nature of education and learning, the skills gap—specifically focusing on heat pump and retrofit education—and a post that Nathan put up a few weeks ago about an educational experiment he tried out that led to us thinking about the purpose of education.In essence, the episode is about how people learn and how this should shape our approach to meeting the skills gap. Nathan is a great communicator and you should check his podcast.Notes from the showNathan Gambling on LinkedInBetaTalk - The Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Heating PodcastNathan's recent LinkedIn post about his teaching experiment Nathan's old LinkedIn repost about that weird arrangement of radiators That Gatsby report we talk about: Closing the Retrofit GapBetaTalk episode: How boiler engineers transition to heat pumps**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

This time around we're talking about the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS) with three of its architects: Jess Hrivnak (RIBA), Jane Anderson (ConstructionLCA), and Julie Jodefroy (CIBSE).The UKNZCBS is the first cross-industry standard for net zero carbon-aligned buildings, albeit in a pilot form. The standard has been developed to enable stakeholders to prove whether a building aligns with the UK's carbon and energy budgets by providing a single, agreed methodology for defining what ‘net zero carbon' means for buildings in the UK.This probably won't be the only episode we'll produce on the subject and we'll be watching its progress with great interest.  Notes from the showThe UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard websiteThe UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard on LinkedInJess Hrivnak on LinkedInJane Anderson on LinkedIn Julie Godefroy on LinkedInA Passive House Plus article about UKNZCBSA story about the greenest Sainsbury's ever**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

Today in Lighting is brought to you by Amerlux, producers of the new Grid Cove series. Learn more. Highlights today include: PLASKOLITE Names Jud Gibson Chief Commercial Officer, Get a Grip on Lighting: New Construction vs. Retrofit with Heather McCune, Lighting Controls Podcast Discusses NAILD Lighting Specialist in Controls Certification Program, Integrating Lighting Controls with HVAC for Smarter Energy Management.

Join Ziehl-Abegg & Q-PAC as they discuss retrofit solutions and innovative fan technology shaping the future of sustainable, cost-effective systems. Sponsored by Ziehl-Abegg.

Hey distributors. Are you selling emergency lighting? If not, this episode with Heather McCune might change your mind. Barron has seen ROI of under a year with their Exitronix Guardian G3 on all their retrofit jobs. This system reduces maintenance, labor hours, and interruptions to building power during testing. It can even self-test and back up the data so you'll have proof of testing for those surprise safety inspections. Heather McCune is a dynamic and experienced leader in the lighting industry. With twenty years of expertise, she brings knowledge and creativity to her role as Vice President, Sales Operations at Barron Lighting Group. Her dedication and commitment are evident as she works closely with the Marketing, Brand and Engineering teams to ensure success in today's sales landscape. As Vice President, Sales Operations, Heather oversees sales productivity and effectiveness for Barron. This includes strategic planning, reporting, quota setting, management, sales process optimization, and training programs. She also plays a vital role in recruiting top talent. Heather's leadership and strong partnerships have led to Barron's continued sales success. Heather has shaped Barron Lighting Group into a company known for integrity, innovation, and quality products. With her drive and track record, it's no wonder she excels as Vice President, Sales Operations at a leading lighting company. 

In this Roofing Road Trips® episode, Heidi J. Ellsworth sits down with Rodger Russ, metal roofing and retrofit specialist and industry advocate from Tremco to discuss the growing trend of roof retrofitting and its advantages over traditional tear-offs. Join them as they dive into the essential considerations, benefits and technical aspects of retrofits. From understanding what makes a building a good candidate for retrofitting to the impact on tenants and compliance with building codes, this episode is a must-listen for contractors, property managers and anyone curious about modern roofing solutions. They will also discuss the advantages of using metal for retrofits and how it transforms buildings both structurally and aesthetically.  Learn more at RoofersCoffeeShop.com!  https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/     Are you a contractor looking for resources? Become an R-Club Member today! https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rcs-club-sign-up     Sign up for the Week in Roofing!  https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/sign-up     Follow Us!   https://www.facebook.com/rooferscoffeeshop/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooferscoffeeshop-com   https://x.com/RoofCoffeeShop   https://www.instagram.com/rooferscoffeeshop/   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQTC5U3FL9M-_wcRiEEyvw   https://www.pinterest.com/rcscom/   https://www.tiktok.com/@rooferscoffeeshop   https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rss     #RoofersCoffeeShop #MetalCoffeeShop #AskARoofer #CoatingsCoffeeShop #RoofingProfessionals #RoofingContractors #RoofingIndustry #TremcoRoofing

Thousands of families are living in rental properties that are too cold, and too damp.According to a new report today, hundreds of thousands of rented homes have poor energy ratings - meaning people are living in cold homes.So, should landlords be forced to do something about it?Andrea is joined by Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South West Peter Finn, AKA Pete the Builder as well as listeners to discuss.

Last year the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) released its residential retrofit standard. Given that they're one of the construction industry's oldest, largest, and most influential institutions this felt significant.Importantly, the RICS organisation has a global footprint, so it has the potential to influence good behaviour far and wide. We're also hopeful in light of the success of the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment standard. That is in terms of its apparent impact, adoption, and reach.In order to get into the subject a bit more we invited Paul Bagust (Head of Property Standards), Steven Lees (Senior Specialist - Residential Survey), and Robert Toomey (Senior Public Affairs Officer) to join us to talk about the standard and the impact they want to see it have.Notes from the showPaul Bagust on LinkedInSteven Lees on LinkedIn Robert Toomey on LinkedInThe old Passive House Plus article about the Preston retrofit catastrophe that Jeff mentionsThe RICS consumer guide to energy will be here once it's published (one for the listeners of the future) The website for Scotland's Green Home Festival – details for 2025 are incoming**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

We should retrofit our streets in the interest of road safety. That's the call from Dr. Catherine Conlon, Public Health Doctor and former director of human health and nutrition with safe food. Dr Conlon discussed this further with Shane this morning on the show.

Amy talks with California Earthquake Authority Chief Mitigation Officer Janiele Maffei about what an earthquake brace is and Bolt Retrofit $3,000 program grants.  

Episode 57. AJ Climate Champions with Hattie Hartman and Rachael Owens.  Melissa Mean from community land trust WeCanMake explains how a community-led approach in Bristol is tackling the housing crisis. ‘What if the power and resources to make good homes were in the hands of our communities? What if you literally put the tools in people's hands to design and make your own homes?' asks Mean. For over a decade, WeCanMake has been doing exactly that, developing a bottom-up approach to ‘gentle densification' in Bristol that builds social infrastructure and community wealth. WeCanMake is pioneering a new approach to housing delivery on the Knowle West estate, an interwar housing estate of 5,000 homes in south Bristol. At its heart is an opt-in scheme whereby eligible social housing tenants gift a ‘microsite' from their garden to someone with a housing need to build a home in their back garden. The components for the houses are cut to size by local residents in a neighbourhood micro-factory equipped with laser cutters and 3D printers and delivered to site for assembly. The project started small with two prototype single-storey affordable homes now complete, two in planning and two more in the pipeline. Mean estimates that this approach could be rolled out in similar neighbourhoods across the UK to deliver more than 30,000 homes with just a 3% increase in density. In this episode, Mean also describes current work with Mikhail Riches to explore the spatial transformation of Knowle West's three-bed one-bath homes into four-bed two-bath houses.  Working with Waugh Thistleton, WeCanMake is now tackling larger sites such as small car arks and derelict garages and developing a kit of parts for low-rise buildings. Mean describes the multiple challenges of obtaining approvals for the use of bio-based materials. ‘We lean into the power and the joy of small. Knowle West and other neighbourhoods like it, can be the future of housing,' says Mean. For show notes and to catch up on all AJ Climate Champions episodes, click here.

Can we address the decarbonisation of homes by focusing on health? That's the mission that Jenny Danson has set for herself in establishing Healthy Homes Hub, and it's a question that manages to subvert Betteridge's Law of headlines, too.  Healthy Homes Hub is a network, built around an online platform, that's dedicated to transforming the way people experience social housing, and its environmental impact, by creating healthier housing environments. Comprising a series of eight dedicated hubs that cover everything from policy and finance, to retrofit and air quality, the platform enable easy access to important information, insights, and thought leadership.Jenny has over 25 years of experience in social housing, as a supplier and client-side, driving innovation, delivery and improving lives so she knows what she's talking about.The project was borne of a frustration with seeing time and effort wasted as people across the sector carry out the same kinds of work, repeatedly, starting from scratch when they could share resources and pool experience. In a sector where capacity is in short supply this time could be easily put to better use.We talk through the challenges faced by the sector and how a focus on people and health can be used to drive us towards delivering on decarbonisation targets, but train our attention on outcomes for the people living in the 'building assets' not just the performance of the fabric and technology that comprises their home.While it's explicitly aimed at the social housing sector, the platform offers a wealth of information resources and sharing of experience that could be useful far beyond the provision of social housing.Notes from the showThe Healthy Homes Hub websiteJenny on LinkedIn Healthy Homes Hub on LinkedInOperational excellence in social housing - a roundtable readout Those ventilation papers that Jeff mentionedVentilation and Indoor Air Quality in Part F 2006 Homes (BD 2702) by S. McKay, D. Ross, I. Mawditt, and S. Kirk (2010)Occupant Interactions and Effectiveness of Natural Ventilation Strategies in Contemporary New Housing in Scotland, UK by Tim Sharpe, Paul Farren, Stirling Howieson, Paul Tuohy, Jonathan McQuillan**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff, Alex, and Dan about websites, branding, and communications - zap@eiux.agency; Everything is User ExperienceSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

Florence Collier, founder of Humblebee, takes us step-by-step through the deep retrofit of her 1970s home. She explains the costs relating to each measure and the cumulative total as the project advances. Check out the show notes for more information.

Joining us on Zero Ambitions this week is Chris Carus co-founder of Loco Home Retrofit, a Glasgow-based 'emerging one-step shop'.Loco Home Retrofit is a retrofit operation that's most interesting for its approach to developing a viable retrofit offer, focused on building trust in communities and with its supply chain as a means to catalysing the decarbonisation of our homes (or at least Glasgow's homes). And now, they're hiring, seeking to fill three positions (below) so if you know of anyone suitable please share the ads:Marketing and community engagement manager Technical manager Innovation programme managerAs much as anything else, we love how they think about the retrofit challenge. Their considered approach to building a proposition and a method is what has really sold us, possibly because it resonates with our UX-focused approach to everything, but mainly because it seems to make sense.Notes from the showThe Loco Home Retrofit websiteChris on LinkedIn Loco Home Retrofit on LinkedInAll three job ads, againChris's interview with BE-ST after winning the Gamechanger award at the Accelerate to Zero Awards 2023Designing an ‘optimal' domestic retrofit programme by Aaron Gillich et al (2017) – The paper Chris couldn't remember the name forLoco Home Retrofit's 2023/24 impact report detailing their innovation efforts to dateResearch Report - The right time for heat pumps in retrofit (Alan Clarke for Passive House Trust) – the other paper that Chris and Jeff reference**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff, Alex, and Dan about websites, branding, and communications - zap@eiux.agency; Everything is User ExperienceSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!This is another episode of the Forces for Nature, EarthX Conference series! What if your home could do more than provide shelter—what if it could help heal the planet? In this episode, Eric Amyot, co-founder of Issho House, Oliizoi, and ReGen Earth Studio, talks about his visionary approach to sustainable and regenerative living. We explore groundbreaking innovations in home design, including self-sufficient, closed-loop systems that produce their own food, water, and energy. You'll also learn how waste-diverted, chemical-free materials are revolutionizing construction and why rethinking community ownership is key to making housing more equitable and resilient. A sustainable world starts at home and Eric is helping to make that a reality.HighlightsHow can homes be designed to not only minimize their environmental impact but also actively regenerate the planet?What steps can be taken to reduce the waste and health risks associated with traditional home construction?Why is community an essential part of building a sustainable future, and how can it be reimagined?What YOU Can DoConduct a Home Audit: Start by understanding your home's current condition, including energy use, water quality, air quality, and materials. This helps identify areas for improvement.Address Air Quality: Remove or replace items containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as carpets, paints, and cleaning products, with healthier, eco-friendly alternatives.Improve Insulation and Windows: Ensure your home is well-insulated and replace outdated windows to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling needs.Install Renewable Energy Systems: Consider solar panels, wind turbines, or geothermal systems to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources.Upgrade Water Systems: Test your water quality and consider implementing greywater recycling or rainwater harvesting systems.Adopt Waste-Reduced Materials: Use recycled or waste-diverted materials for renovations, such as reclaimed wood or innovative options like recycled paper countertops.Grow Your Own Food: Incorporate indoor or outdoor food-growing systems to reduce reliance on store-bought produce.Retrofit for Resilience: Look into programs or services, like Issho's Revive, that can help retrofit your home for greater sustainability, energy efficiency, and self-sufficiency.Take a Holistic Approach: Evaluate the overall health and functionality of your home to ensure it aligns with sustainable living principles, addressing structural, environmental, and lifestyle factors. ResourcesOliizoi Issho HomesRevive- Resilient Retrofitting ReGenEarth StudioWant a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility. Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that! What difference for the world are you going to make today?

The first episode of January 2025 marks the long overdue, first appearance of Jay Stuart, a long-time friend and colleague of Jeff and a firm fixture of the green building scene in Ireland. Jay joined us to talk about his latest project: Loop Your Spare. It's a SaaS platform designed to match 'spare' construction materials with projects that need them on other sites before they have a chance to be classified as waste. It's a concept that could largely eliminate the concept of waste and minimise the need for recycling in construction by enabling materials to remain in their highest-value states, thus retaining their value and mitigating the need to put them through all of the (ultimately destructive) processes involved in recycling. While we're looking to Ireland in this specific case the issues are universal and the solutions should be able to cross borders with relative ease. It's really an episode about smart thinking, with specific reference to a bunch of the projects Jay has worked on in the past and what's coming up in the future.We've wanted to get Jay on for ages because he's an innovative and unconventional thinker who simplifies complex challenges in accessible and unexpected ways. He's also massively experienced, having lectured at University College Dublin's School of Architecture, worked with leading Irish construction businesses like Ecofix and D/RES, and worked as a government advisor to name just a few things.Also, it's an episode that continues the conversations from last year's episodes with Chris Clarke and Don't Waste Buildings and their calls to do something about egregious construction waste in the UK.Notes from the showThe Loop Your Spare website Jay Stuart on LinkedIn Loop Your Spare on LinkedInEmail Loop Your Spare here**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff, Alex, and Dan about websites, branding, and communications - zap@eiux.agency; Everything is User ExperienceSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

What's it like trying to scale a retrofit start-up? This episode welcomes Max Bloomfield and Alex Whitcroft, two of the folks from VundaHaus, to talk about their product, its ongoing design and development, and their preparations to scale the business as they raise funds from investors.VundaHaus designs and manufactures a rapid-fit insulation solution for external wall insulation (EWI) of residential homes. It's a a sophisticated off-site, MMC, insulation jigsaw that's been developed to make the logistics of installation much easier than traditional EWI.There's more to the story but you can listen to that on the episode.Notes from the showThe VundaHaus website The KIN website Max Bloomfield on LinkedIn; email Max hereAlex Whitcroft on LinkedIn; email Alex hereThe TransformER project **SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff, Alex, and Dan about websites, branding, and communications - zap@eiux.agency; Everything is User ExperienceSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

Howard Johns, founder of One Zero, outlines their home energy transformation service which includes topping up insulation and adding solar PV, battery storage and a heat pump. Check out the show notes for more information.

This week's episode is all about the lessons learned in carrying out a low-carbon retrofit. Natalie Black (Enbee Architecture + Design) and Toby McLean (Allt Environmental Structural Engineers) joined us to talk through their experiments and experiences on the renovation of a derelict house in Muswell Hill, London that was shortlisted for the Architects Journal Retrofit and Reuse awards this year.This is a project that could easily be misrepresented as a Grand Designs-style endeavour that's only representative of what you can do if you've got loads of capital and capacity, but that wouldn't be fair. This project should really be seen as an example of what you can achieve when you've got loads of capital and the capacity to experiment. The lessons learned here aren't going to solve the housing crisis but they can contribute to resolving the climate crisis, and this is what's motivating our guests. Like many of our listeners, Natalie and Toby are built environment professionals who have become increasingly driven to change how they work by the dawning realisation that the climate crisis is upon us. We also discuss whether you can actually have a low-carbon basement.Links for the PhD applications are below too.Notes from the showNatalie Black on LinkedIn The Muswell Hill low-carbon houseThe Enbee Architecture + Design websiteThe Allt Environmental Structural Engineers' websiteNatalie's LinkedIn post about low-carbon basementsEnbee's 12-minute diary film about the Muswell Hill projectEnbee's short film (under 2 mins) about the Muswell Hill projectNatalie's blog about her workPhD #1 - Balancing Supply and Demand: Developing a Net Zero Energy Framework for Difficult-to-Retrofit Buildings in NottinghamshireNottingham Trent University deadline 8th Dec, start Apr 2025, Led by: Dr Orla Williams (UoN), Co-Supervisors: Dr Kate Simpson (NTU) and Prof Richard Bull (NTU); Community Supervisor(s): Phil Berrill (Nottinghamshire County Council), Chris Beattie (Inspire)PhD #2 - Sustainable Construction UK: Investigating the UK construction industry's culture in relation to meeting long-term social, economic and environmental goalsNottingham Trent University, deadline 14th Feb, start Sep 2025, led by Prof Gavin Killip and Dr Ani RaidenPhD #3 - Re-imagining energy retrofit and home adaptation to deliver safe and resilient homes during interconnected energy, health, housing and climate crisesNottingham Trent University, deadline 14th Feb, start Sep 2025, led by myself with Dr Penelope Siebert and Prof Rowena Hill**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff, Alex, and Dan about websites, branding, and communications - zap@eiux.agency; Everything is User ExperienceSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Own Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**

Tired of lint and dust covering everything inside and outside of your stores? Finally, a revolutionary product for the laundry industry to combat the never-ending problem of lint! Craig Madson, VP of Marketing and Innovation at Alliance Laundry Systems, joins the Laundromat Millionaire Show to share with Dave & Carla their newest innovation - ProCapture. Learn how this product works, the outcome you can expect, the life cycle, the availability, the maintenance, and much more. Don't miss this episode as you decide is ProCapture the solution you've been searching for? Referenced Links: ProCapture Website: https://speedqueencommercial.com/en-us/procapture/Our Sponsor: H-M Company Drain Troughs: https://www.draintroughs.comOur Website: https://www.laundromatmillionaire.comOur Online Course: https://dave-menz.mykajabi.com/sales-pageOur Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/c/LaundromatMillionaireOur Podcast: https://laundromatmillionaire.com/podcast/Our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laundromatmillionaire/Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/laundromatmillionaireOur LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-laundromat-millionaire-menz/Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laundromatmillionaire/Our laundromats: https://www.queencitylaundry.comOur pick-up and delivery laundry services: https://www.queencitylaundry.com/deliveryOur WDF & Delivery Workshop: https://laundromatmillionaire.com/pick-up-delivery-workshop/LaundroBoost Marketing Company: https://laundroboostmarketing.com/Suggested Services Page: https://www.laundromatmillionaire.com/servicesWDF & Delivery Dynamics: A Complete Business Blueprint: https://laundromatmillionaire.com/wdf-delivery-dynamics-a-business-blueprint/Huebsch Command System:  https://huebsch.com/command/Timestamps00:00 Episode 88 Intro00:56 Spotlight – LaundroBoost's AI Chatbots02:05 Craig's role with Alliance Laundry 05:13 Can Dryers be RetroFit with ProCapture?07:24 The Innovation Process09:41 Why Do We Need ProCapture? What does it do?13:42 How was ProCapture developed?18:21 What percent of lint is captured?19:32 What machines are available with ProCapture?22:39 What's the added cost?26:14 Eliminate instead of capturing the lint?27:49 Why pay extra for ProCapture? Are there measurable benefits?32:27 Decreases to Maintenance and Cleaning Costs & Time36:29 How does ProCapture Technology actually work?39:14 Maintenance and Cleaning40:49 LifeCycle of the ProCapture System45:48 Machine Footprint47:58 Customer Feedback on ProCapture so far50:28 Faster Dry Times? Utility Savings?53:30 Call to Action – Sharing Ideas for Innovation & Improvement

In this episode, I geek out with David Goldstein, founder of Hydronic Shell Technologies, about a novel building retrofit technology that wraps old multifamily structures in insulated panels with built-in HVAC systems. Goldstein's approach allows for energy-efficient upgrades without interior disruption, potentially solving a major challenge in building decarbonization. We dive into how the system combines exterior insulation, air sealing, and centralized heat pumps with individual window units to dramatically reduce energy demand and emissions. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribe