Events

Renovation for Energy Efficiency – for Construction Professionals and Homeowners

Unlocking the Retrofit Journey in Cumbria: Essential Insights for Construction Professionals & Homeowners

Tailored for those in construction trades and homeowners, this event will explore the key stages of retrofit—from concept to completion. Whether it’s large-scale upgrades or smaller, energy-efficient interventions, we’ll explain how to make buildings warmer, drier, and cheaper to heat. This event is ideal for construction professionals looking to expand their knowledge on retrofit, as well as homeowners considering renovation or retrofitting. We’ll cover what makes energy-saving retrofits different from new builds and extensions.

Architect and chair of CAfS trustees Tracey Hart, and Tina Holt, CAfS Retrofit Project Manager will open the event with an introduction outlining why we need to increase knowledge and skills in the county and the opportunities to improve energy efficiency in Cumbrian buildings now and in the future. 

This event will outline the retrofit journey, from building assessment and design, right through to installation and handover, taking into account building type, age and heating and ventilation systems. It will help construction businesses to upgrade Cumbrian properties for thermal performance without creating unintended issues and will include Cumbrian case study examples. 

Retrofit professionals on hand at the event will share the benefits, opportunities and know-how to upgrade Cumbrian homes for energy efficiency.

Attendees will be able to select three of the following six discussions:

The event will close with a tour of the Lakes College newly opened Green Energy training hub showcasing the opportunities for certified training in renewable energy and heating systems. 

This event opens at 5pm for hot drinks and food, with the formalities starting at 5:30.

Plentiful parking is available and entry is via the main doors.

Speaker Profiles

Tracey Hart is an architect with over 30 years experience. She developed an interest in natural materials and sustainable architecture in the 1990’s and is a passionate advocate for low-energy and nature-friendly buildings that make the best use of traditional and modern building methods.

Having run her own architectural practice in London, Tracey moved to Cumbria in 2011 and embarked upon the self-build, deep retrofit of an off-grid, traditional Cumbrian farmhouse that had been unoccupied for almost 50 years. Having qualified as a certified Passivhaus designer, Tracey currently works as a consultant in sustainability and carbon emission reduction in buildings at Transport for London.

Tracey is chair of CAfS trustees and co-chair of Cumberland Society of Architects, a local branch of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Tina Holt is manager of CAfS Retrofit Advice Service – a service that supports householders renovating or retrofitting for energy efficiency, with independent advice through the entire process.

Certified to a Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures in Older and Traditional Building and Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Assessment, Tina’s experience in energy efficiency includes leading behavioural change programmes, home energy consultancy, project managing advanced retrofits of her own home (twice) and delivering the AECB’s CarbonLite Retrofit online course.