‘Efficient lighting’ among chances being missed to retrofit offices to better energy standards

Investors, owners, and occupiers are missing ‘easy wins’ – including more efficient lighting systems - to retrofit offices and reduce their building’s energy consumption, according to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC).

This is one of the key findings of the UKGBC’s recently published guidance on retrofitting large office buildings. The guidance sets out the most cost-effective and carbon-effective office retrofit measures in the immediate and longer term, reframing retrofit as an iterative process rather than a standalone project.

The report concludes that significant reductions in operational energy use are possible through both optimisation and light retrofit (26% and 15% respectively), which also tend to be the most cost-effective measures. This includes the use of energy-efficient LED lighting systems, which can achieve energy savings of 50-70% compared to older technologies (according to the Climate Group).

UKGBC’s report also highlights the following key information:

• For the UK to meet the carbon trajectory set out in UKGBC’s Whole Life Carbon Roadmap, an overall 59% reduction in energy consumption in the office sector is required by 2050.
• Commercial buildings are not currently being retrofitted at the pace or scale necessary, risking the UK not meeting critical net zero milestones.
• 77% of UK office stock currently has an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating below B and is anticipated to be unlettable by 2030.
• Without action, many owners will be left vulnerable to stranded assets, as market demand for sustainable space grows and minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) tighten.
• Office owners and occupiers are missing key ‘trigger points’ in lease and maintenance cycles that facilitate easier, more efficient office retrofits.

UKGBC’s new guidance has been informed by live data and insights shared by a Task Group of industry experts, including representatives of Arup, ISG, British Land, Canary Wharf Group, Deloitte, and Lloyds Banking Group.

The report includes a range of real-world case studies that provide practical examples of retrofit strategies and tangible outcomes across a arrange of metrics, including operational energy performance, whole life carbon emissions, and projected returns on investment, as well as health, wellbeing, and social value.

You can download the UKGBC guidance here.

Tamlite has long championed energy efficient, sustainable lighting. For more information about responsible specification, please see our free e-book Let’s talk about light. Tamlite offers a comprehensive range of energy efficient LED lights for workplaces across a range of settings. 

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