The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced the formation of a new Retrofit System Reform Panel to gather insight from industry leaders, regulators, and consumer protection experts.

As part of the Warm Homes Plan, the government has announced that it will bring forward reforms to the current disjointed system of regulation which will strengthen and improve enforcement where standards are not met.

This panel will assess the entire energy efficiency and renewable energy retrofit landscape, ensuring that consumers can be confident in the quality of home upgrades.

Why has this been Introduced?

In 2024, routine checks identified cases of substandard solid wall insulation fitted under the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). These findings highlighted systemic issues, with poor workmanship and inadequate oversight affecting a significant number of installations.

The widespread nature of these problems has exposed gaps in current installation standards, enforcement, and consumer protection measures, showing that the existing framework is not robust enough to ensure consistent quality for homeowners investing in energy efficiency upgrades.

What is the Scope of the Retrofit System Reform Panel?

The Retrofit System Reform Panel will work with ministers to identify areas for improvement in the retrofit delivery process and in particular on how to deliver a simplified system of standards and protections for building retrofit. These must be easily understood by both consumers and industry.

They will also identify a clear process for consumers when issues do arise and ensure that any changes that are made support the growth of the retrofit supply chain.

Moreover, any improvements must focus on long-term reforms to the retrofit system that can be adopted by all the devolved nations as the current oversight bodies operate across the UK.
The panel will concentrate on the following areas:

Retrofit standards
Accreditation of installers
Compliance with standards, oversight and enforcement.
System for quality assurance and audits
Consumer protection (redress, remediation, guarantees)
Skills and capability of installers

Simon Flint, Elmhurst’s Retrofit Support Team Leader, welcomes the introduction of the Retrofit System Reform Panel, which takes a quality-first approach to retrofit:

“We welcome the establishment of this new Retrofit System Reform Panel and, if asked, Elmhurst will work closely with those involved to help improve the process for both the industry and consumers.

Everyone working in the retrofit sector must come together to ensure that assessment, design, and installation processes are not only transparent and robust, but ultimately deliver high-quality outcomes that genuinely improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in our buildings.”

Government Launches Advisory Panel to Reform Retrofit Sector

Why has this been Introduced?

What is the Scope of the Retrofit System Reform Panel?

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