Retrofit Brum – FAQs
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What does retrofitting mean?
The term ‘retrofitting’ is used to describe improvements and installation works to upgrade a home’s energy efficiency performance which can help to reduce fuel bills, prevent damp and mould and create a more comfortable and healthier home.
What improvements will I receive?
This will depend upon how the local authority have assessed the energy performance of your home, each home has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. An EPC rating tells you how energy efficient your property is, with a rating from A (best) to G (worst) and is valid for 10 years. Improvements could include things like:
- External wall insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Loft insulation
- Solar Panels
- Draught Proofing.
Why are the local authority retrofitting my home?
This is because your home has been assessed as being a low performance energy home . This means that it has a certificate which is either grade D, E or F. The local authority will also be retrofitting some homes that have been rated a low-grade C.
How will it improve my home – what are the benefits?
Greater comfort, potential savings on energy consumption, reduced exposure to cold, damp and poor indoor air quality.
Do I have a say in this?
Yes, ARK and Birmingham City Council aim to collaborate with residents, tenant groups, and local community organisations to keep you informed about ongoing developments, and to give you a voice in shaping future tenant and resident engagement activities as the retrofit project expands to other areas across the city. Your experience of the whole Retrofit process is crucial for informing Birmingham City Council and the builders of what has worked and what lessons can be learned.
How long will the retrofitting process take?
The duration varies depending on the extent of the work required. Simple upgrades may take a few days, while more comprehensive retrofits could take several weeks or months, the weather also can impact on timescales. Where there is rain or high winds works do have be put on hold. The contractor (EQUANS or Fortem) will be communicating with you regarding timescales of works, and potential delays.
What should I do if I have questions or concerns during the retrofit process?
You can contact the Customer Liaison Officer assigned to your scheme, these are employed by your builder, and are there to help with scheduling, updates, and any questions you may have. Anything outside this remit will need to be reported to repairs or customer services accordingly. You can inform us here at ARK on our email address: retrofit@arkconsultacy.co.uk. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to resolve your issues, however we will pass them on to the Birmingham City Council’s Housing Management Directorate.
Please note: the EQUANS regeneration team will be carrying out the retrofit work only, this is separate to the EQUANS repair team.
What if the retrofit work causes damage to my property?
The contractors will take care to protect your property. If any damage occurs, please contact the Customer Liaison Officer immediately if you notice any issues. It is also worth taking photographs of the damage and making a record of the time and date the damage occurred.
Will the retrofit solve my damp and mould issues?
It should prevent any future mould appearing; however, it won’t stop it if the right conditions allow it to grow. There are 3 key factors which encourage damp and mould, they are: excess moisture (cooking, drying clothes inside or water ingress say from a roof leak), low ventilation and cold temperatures. Present damp and mould must be treated – any damp and mould present should be treated with a fungicidal wash / spray and cleaned off with clean warm water.
What measure can I take to reduce damp and mould?
You should try and reduce excess moisture through steps, such as opening trickle vents and closing doors to stop the moisture spreading to colder parts of the home, making sure extractor fans are on and working, keeping furniture away from walls to allow air to circulate around the room more easily, as well as making sure your home is heated properly.
We understand that, for some, heating your home can be difficult due to the cost of living. If you require any additional support, please click on the link below to see the support available to you.
Additional Support
What disturbance and disruptions are likely to take place during this process?
The contractor (EQUANS or Fortem) will try to minimise the disruption caused by the works happening on your property.
Construction activities generate significant noise and dust. This is particularly disruptive if you or other household members are home during the day.
Construction areas can pose safety hazards, especially for children and pets. There may be tools, materials, and incomplete structural elements that can be dangerous if not properly managed, any safety issues should be reported to your Customer Liaison Officer.
Construction vehicles including trucks delivering materials and portable cabins, may take up a significant portion of available parking, limiting space for residents and neighbours, as well as increasing traffic.
If I am unhappy with the works, who do I speak to outside of EQUANS or Fortem?
We would encourage you to fill out of the survey here whether your experience has been good or bad, this allows the Retrofit Brum team to flag any occurring issues and trends to senior management at the Council. We can flag issues to the housing management team directly or the site manager, if required.
How can I get involved and influence tenant engagement?
If you have completed our survey and are still not happy with the process you can ring us on 07895799132 or come along to one of our resident drop-in sessions, which are advertised on our website (Retrofit Brum – ARK Consultancy). We are also looking for residents to become part of Focus Groups eventually becoming part of a Tenant Retrofit Advisory Panel, if you are interested let us know by filling out the enquiry form.
Please note: We will be regularly updating our Frequently Asked Questions .