Our post-occupancy evaluation (POE) and monitoring services help councils, housing associations, and social landlords assess the effectiveness of retrofit energy improvement schemes. By analysing how properties perform after installation, we ensure that funding programmes such as the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), Off-Gas Retrofit Programme (ORP), Energy Company Obligation (ECO), and other initiatives deliver measurable energy savings, carbon reductions, and improved resident comfort.
POE and monitoring are essential for validating retrofit performance, identifying improvements, and supporting PAS 2035-compliant energy efficiency programmes.
What Are Post-Occupancy Evaluations and Monitoring?
Post-occupancy evaluation is the process of assessing a property’s energy performance, comfort, and indoor environmental quality after retrofit works have been completed. Monitoring involves collecting and analysing ongoing energy use data to confirm that retrofit measures are operating as intended.
Key benefits include:
- Verification of energy savings and EPC/SAP improvements
- Assessment of resident comfort, thermal performance, and indoor air quality
- Identification of maintenance or optimisation needs
- Evidence for funding compliance, reporting, and audit purposes
For non-traditional, PRC, or hard-to-treat properties, POE and monitoring provide crucial insight into how retrofit interventions perform in practice.
Why Post-Occupancy Evaluations Are Needed
Retrofit programmes can sometimes underperform due to installation issues, occupant behaviour, or building-specific constraints. Without post-occupancy evaluation and monitoring:
- Energy savings may be overestimated or unverified
- Carbon reduction and net zero targets may not be achieved
- Funding compliance and reporting requirements (SHDF, ORP, ECO) may be compromised
- Opportunities to optimise performance or plan maintenance may be missed
POE and monitoring provide evidence-based assurance that retrofit works are delivering their intended benefits.
What Our Service Provides
Our POE and monitoring service includes:
Energy Performance Assessment
- Collection and analysis of energy consumption data
- Comparison against projected savings and EPC/SAP improvements
- Identification of discrepancies and recommendations for optimisation
Resident Feedback and Comfort Evaluation
- Surveys and interviews to understand occupant satisfaction and comfort
- Assessment of thermal comfort, ventilation, and air quality
Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting
- Installation of sensors or smart meters where appropriate
- Analysis of temperature, humidity, energy use, and system performance
- Regular reports documenting energy, carbon, and comfort outcomes
Compliance and Audit Support
- Evidence to support SHDF, ORP, ECO, and PAS 2035 funding requirements
- Audit-ready reporting for regulators, funders, and internal governance
Supporting Retrofit Programmes
Our POE and monitoring services support:
- SHDF, ORP, and ECO-funded retrofit programmes
- PAS 2035-compliant post-installation verification
- Energy efficiency measures including external wall insulation, heating upgrades, ventilation improvements, and renewable energy installations
- Non-traditional and hard-to-treat housing retrofits
- Long-term decarbonisation, energy savings, and resident comfort strategies
By implementing post-occupancy evaluation and monitoring, landlords can optimise retrofit performance, demonstrate value for money, and provide confidence to funders and residents.
Deliverables
Clients receive:
- Post-occupancy evaluation reports detailing energy performance and resident feedback
- Monitoring data analysis with actionable recommendations
- Evidence for funding compliance (SHDF, ORP, ECO) and PAS 2035 requirements
- Guidance on maintenance, optimisation, or additional interventions
- Clear, audit-ready reports for boards, regulators, and asset managers
Why Work With MDA?
MDA has extensive experience delivering post-occupancy evaluation and monitoring for social housing retrofit, including non-traditional, PRC, and hard-to-treat properties. Our expertise ensures:
- Accurate measurement of energy savings, carbon reduction, and thermal performance
- Compliance with PAS 2035, SHDF, ORP, ECO, and other funding programme requirements
- Practical recommendations to optimise performance and resident comfort
- Confidence for landlords, funders, and residents that retrofit works are effective, safe, and long-lasting
With MDA, social landlords gain a trusted partner to verify and optimise retrofit programmes, ensuring maximum energy efficiency, sustainability, and value for money.