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The Retrofit for the Future programme, sponsored by UK Government's Technology Strategy Board from 2009-13, demonstrated innovative approaches to deep retrofitting of social housing, using a whole-house approach for achieving an 80% CO 2 reduction target. This paper critically examines the intent and outcomes of this programme (in which all authors participated) through a cross-project meta-study of the primary data, substantiated by insights from secondary sources. Given that only three (out of 45) projects met the expected CO 2 target in reality, despite generous funding and professional expertise, it suggests that decarbonizing existing housing will not be particularly easy. Important lessons are learnt from the formulation, target-setting, monitoring and evaluation procedures and feedback mechanisms of this initiative, which can inform the delivery and effectiveness of future national energy retrofit programmes. Furthermore, to support 'scaling up' of effective retrofit programmes and reduce the gap between intent and outcome, it is recommended that attention be moved from what level of CO 2 reductions are to be achieved, to how (delivery models) these radical reductions can be achieved, and by whom (supply chain). Such alternative delivery models to the 'whole-house' approach include, retrofit over time, city-scale retrofit and community-based energy retrofits.

This paper uses a socio-technical building performance evaluation (BPE) approach to assess the pre-and post-actual performance of two discrete deep low energy retrofits in the UK-a Victorian solid-wall house and modern 1990s cavity-wall house. A 'low-energy first, then low-carbon' approach was adopted in both cases, to achieve an 80% reduction in annual CO 2 emissions. Preretrofit, both houses had lower measured annual gas consumption as compared to predictions made by energy models, although the electricity consumption in the modern house was higher than modelled, due to occupancy pattern and occupant behaviour. Post-retrofit, it was found that the Victorian house achieved nearly 75% CO 2 reduction, while the modern house achieved only 57% CO 2 reduction over the baseline emissions. Key reasons were higher than expected air permeability rates, installation issues with micro-renewable systems, lack of proper commissioning, usability of controls, occupant preferences and behaviour. Despite the gap between expected and actual carbon emissions, occupant comfort and satisfaction was significantly improved across both retrofits. This evidence-based understanding of the process and outcomes of deep low carbon retrofits is vital not only for learning and innovation, but also for scaling-up deep retrofit programmes for meeting national and international carbon targets.

Research in UK and elsewhere has highlighted that older people are particularly vulnerable to negative health effects of overheating. This paper examines the magnitude, causes, preparedness and remedies for addressing the risk of summertime overheating in four case study residential care and extra-care settings across the UK, spanning different building types, construction and age. The methodological approach adopted is interdisciplinary, drawing from building science and social science methods, including temperature monitoring, building surveys, and interviews with design and management teams. The findings suggest that overheating is a current and prevalent risk in the case study schemes, yet there is currently little awareness or preparedness to implement suitable and long-term adaptation strategies (eg. external shading). There was a perception from designers to managers, that cold represents a bigger threat to older occupants' health than excessive heat. A lack of effective heat management was found across the case studies that included unwanted heat gains from the heating system, confusion in terms of responsibilities to manage indoor temperatures, and conflicts between window opening and occupant safety. Given that care settings should provide protection against risks from cold and hot weather, design, management and care practices need to become better focused towards this goal.