Green build NEWS

One hundred of London’s public sector buildings will be retrofitted by May under Mayor Boris Johnson’s RE:FIT programme.

Nearly 86 buildings have already been retrofitted. It is estimated this will save £1.3m of taxpayers' cash through reduced energy bills each year.  Performance of buildings and energy conservation measures are taken before and after installation and will be monitored throughout the agreement using sub-meters and calculation.

London’s buildings - responsible for 80% of the capital's carbon emissions - are being fitted with technologies such as photovoltaic solar panels, low-energy lighting systems and new, efficient boilers.

Organisations using RE:FIT can cut the red tape and associated costs that would normally accompany any major building works in the public sector. They can choose a contractor from a pre-vetted list of 12 that will offer a guaranteed energy saving upfront and pay back costs using predicted fuel bill savings.

Johnson said: “Retrofitting London is a win-win, not only does it make perfect economic and common sense by cutting energy costs but it also reduces carbon emissions and stimulates the capitals burgeoning low carbon economy, creating jobs and boosting skills.”

It is estimated that low-carbon goods and services will equate to £40bn of investment by 2025 and could create 200,000 jobs.

RE:FIT was trialled on 42 buildings in the Greater London Authority group, including fire stations, police stations and Transport for London offices. Energy efficiency improved in some buildings by as much as 40%. The programme follows an audit to decide which energy efficiency measures are most appropriate. Savings are guaranteed by whichever energy saving company (ESCo) works on the retrofit. This way, savings are calculated in advance of work starting. Behavioural change is not included in the scheme, although some organisations and suppliers are working together on this issue by choice.

Measures to cut carbon at Newham University Hospital NHS Trust included the installation of a more efficient ventilation system using heat recovery and free cooling, which will enable the hospital to save £50,000 a year on its energy bills.

Capital design project manager at the hospital Kai Kin Lee said: 'The key benefit, for us, was that we only paid once we’d seen returns. The project exceeded the investment requirements set out in the RE:FIT scheme, and delivered additional operational benefits over and above energy and carbon reductions.'

For more information, visit www.lda.gov.uk/projects/refit