Most of the buildings that will exist in twenty years are already standing today, which means retrofitting — not new construction — is where the biggest energy savings are waiting to be unlocked. Upgrading an older building's envelope, systems and controls can cut its energy bill dramatically while improving comfort and indoor air quality for the people inside it.

This Training Course from the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy takes participants through the full retrofit journey: auditing an existing building, choosing the right combination of technologies and materials, and managing the project from design through to measured, verified savings. It suits anyone who designs, manages, finances or regulates buildings and wants practical, applicable retrofit skills.

What You'll Gain

• A clear framework for assessing an existing building's energy performance and identifying where to intervene first.
• Practical knowledge of envelope, HVAC, lighting and renewable-energy upgrades and how to combine them.
• The ability to build a cost-benefit case for a retrofit, including financing options and payback analysis.
• Project-management skills for running retrofit works with minimal disruption to occupants.
• Understanding of the certifications (LEED, BREEAM, Energy Star) that retrofit projects can target.

Who Should Attend?

• Architects and building designers who want to add retrofit expertise to their project toolkit.
• Building managers, facility operators and construction engineers responsible for reducing running costs.
• Energy auditors and sustainability consultants focused on improving existing-building performance.
• Policy makers, developers and real-estate investors evaluating retrofit as a value-creation strategy.

Module 1: The Retrofit Opportunity

• Why most future energy savings sit in existing buildings, not new ones.
• Global trends and policy pressure driving retrofit demand.
• The payoff: lower bills, higher property value, reduced emissions, better comfort.

Module 2: Where Buildings Lose Energy

• Energy use patterns across residential, commercial and industrial building types.
• The usual suspects: heating, cooling, lighting and insulation gaps.
• Connecting energy loss to both environmental and financial impact.

Module 3: Auditing the Existing Building

• Steps in a retrofit-focused energy audit: data collection, inspection, equipment analysis.
• Tools used on site: thermal cameras, energy meters, modelling software.
• Turning audit findings into a prioritised list of interventions.

Module 4: Reading the Rules – Standards and Codes

• International and local efficiency standards: ISO 50001, LEED, BREEAM.
• How regulation shapes which retrofit measures make sense.
• Compliance as a design constraint, not an afterthought.

Module 5: Upgrading the Building Envelope

• Improving insulation, windows and doors to cut heating and cooling demand.
• Air sealing and reducing uncontrolled air leakage.
• Choosing sustainable envelope materials such as low-emissivity glazing and insulated panels.

Module 6: Modernising HVAC and Lighting

• Installing high-efficiency HVAC and tuning controls for savings.
• Retrofitting lighting with LEDs and smart controls.
• Balancing energy savings with occupant comfort.

Module 7: Adding Renewables and Smart Technology

• Where solar, wind and other renewables fit into a retrofit.
• Building energy management systems, smart meters and IoT monitoring.
• Energy storage as a complement to on-site generation.

Module 8: The Financial Case for Retrofitting

• Estimating upfront costs against long-term savings and ROI.
• Financing routes: green bonds, energy performance contracts, tax credits, grants.
• Life-cycle cost analysis as a decision tool.

Module 9: Managing the Retrofit Project

• Scheduling, budgeting and coordinating contractors.
• Minimising disruption to people still using the building.
• Quality control during installation.

Module 10: Proving and Sustaining the Results

• Tracking energy performance after the retrofit is complete.
• Using data analytics to confirm savings against the original targets.
• Building in ongoing maintenance so improvements last.