Our sustainable and low energy use design services support councils, housing associations, and landlords in delivering energy-efficient and environmentally responsible retrofit programmes. We help social housing providers develop design-led solutions that reduce energy consumption, cut carbon emissions, improve EPC/SAP ratings, and deliver long-term fuel savings for residents.
These services are specifically tailored to support funding programmes such as the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), Off-Gas Retrofit Programme (ORP), Energy Company Obligation (ECO), and other government or grant-backed energy improvement initiatives.
What Are Sustainable / Low Energy Use Design Options?
Sustainable or low energy use design options are retrofit solutions that minimise energy demand, reduce carbon emissions, and maximise efficiency. They consider:
- High-performance insulation and thermal upgrades
- Low-carbon heating, ventilation, and hot water systems
- Energy-efficient windows, doors, and building envelope improvements
- Renewable energy integration, such as solar PV or heat pumps
- Whole-house retrofit approaches to optimise building performance
For non-traditional, PRC, and hard-to-treat properties, these design options are carefully tailored to ensure retrofit measures are safe, effective, and suitable for the building’s construction type.
Why Sustainable Design Options Are Essential
Retrofit programmes that incorporate sustainable and low-energy design options:
- Reduce residents’ energy bills and mitigate fuel poverty
- Help landlords meet PAS 2035, net zero, and carbon reduction targets
- Improve EPC/SAP ratings across housing stock
- Ensure retrofit interventions are long-lasting, safe, and high-performing
- Maximise eligibility for grant funding programmes like SHDF, ORP, and ECO
By focusing on sustainability and energy efficiency, landlords can deliver retrofit projects that are future-proof, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible.
What Our Service Provides
Our sustainable retrofit design services offer:
Stock and Property Analysis
- Review of EPC/SAP data, stock condition, and building construction
- Identification of non-traditional or hard-to-treat properties requiring tailored solutions
Design Options Development
- Creation of low-energy retrofit designs, including insulation, heating, ventilation, and renewable systems
- Whole-house and targeted interventions to optimise energy efficiency
Feasibility and Cost Analysis
- Evaluation of technical feasibility, projected energy savings, carbon reduction, and financial impact
- Alignment with funding programme requirements and organisational priorities
Implementation Guidance
- Clear technical specifications and guidance for contractors
- Compliance with PAS 2035, building regulations, and grant programme standards
Supporting Retrofit Programmes
Our sustainable design options help social landlords:
- Deliver SHDF, ORP, and ECO-funded retrofit projects
- Achieve net zero and carbon reduction targets
- Improve EPC/SAP ratings and energy efficiency across housing stock
- Plan interventions for long-term performance, safety, and resident comfort
- Develop audit-ready evidence for funders, regulators, and internal governance
Deliverables
Clients receive:
- Bespoke sustainable retrofit design packages
- Low-energy intervention specifications and drawings
- Technical and feasibility reports demonstrating energy, carbon, and cost savings
- Guidance for installation, quality assurance, and PAS 2035 compliance
- Documentation suitable for asset managers, boards, regulators, and funders
All outputs are written in plain English, translating technical energy information into actionable retrofit strategies.
Why Work With MDA?
MDA has extensive experience delivering sustainable and low energy retrofit designs for social housing, including non-traditional, PRC, and hard-to-treat properties. Our expertise combines:
- Technical knowledge of energy-efficient design and low-carbon systems
- PAS 2035 and funding programme compliance (SHDF, ORP, ECO)
- Practical understanding of social housing stock, construction types, and resident needs
With MDA, landlords gain a trusted partner to design retrofit programmes that are safe, cost-effective, energy-efficient, and sustainable, helping them meet long-term decarbonisation and resident comfort goals.