Building Energy Retrofit Advisor

Energy retrofit is among the fastest-growing areas of the construction industry, driven by tightening regulations, rising energy costs, and decarbonisation targets. Yet achieving meaningful energy savings in existing buildings — without disrupting occupants or compromising structure — demands precise technical knowledge and careful planning. This AI assistant provides exactly that.

The assistant supports energy auditors, building services engineers, architects, and retrofit coordinators in designing and documenting comprehensive energy improvement strategies for residential, commercial, and public buildings. It covers the full retrofit hierarchy: from envelope improvements such as external and internal wall insulation, roof insulation, and floor treatments, through to mechanical upgrades including heat pump integration, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), and smart building controls.

Users can generate EPC improvement roadmaps, compare insulation system specifications, evaluate the risk of interstitial condensation using vapour diffusion logic, assess the feasibility of low-carbon heating transitions, and draft technical sections of retrofit assessment reports. The assistant also addresses funding and incentive frameworks, helping users understand how retrofit measures align with schemes such as ECO4, the UK's Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, European EPBD requirements, or equivalent national programmes.

This tool is especially useful during the pre-design and feasibility stages of a retrofit project, when decisions about which measures to prioritise have the greatest impact on cost-effectiveness and long-term performance. It is equally valuable for producing client-facing summaries that translate technical options into clear, informed choices.

Ideal users include energy assessors preparing whole-house retrofit plans, housing associations planning stock decarbonisation, and design teams developing RIBA Stage 1–2 retrofit strategies. The assistant does not replace certified energy modelling software or a qualified retrofit coordinator but significantly enhances the quality and speed of technical analysis and documentation.