Bradfords Building Supplies has launched an employee domestic retrofit training scheme in
partnership with Target CO2, which aims to help its team members to reduce their energy
bills long term and to learn valuable knowledge they can share with their colleagues and
customers.

The company, which has more than 40 branches across the South West, has partnered local
domestic retrofit experts, Target CO2, to offer employees a free in-person home energy
assessment.

The assessments have resulted in an end-to-end retrofit plan, including an up-to-date EPC, a
ventilation guide and condition report. Participants have also received guidance on
recommended solutions and products with an indication of increased energy efficiency and
potential carbon emission reductions achievable if measures are installed.

With all employees attending the retrofit assessments as they are conducted, they can
easily identify with the examples in the retrofit plan and the products and scenarios they
see every day. This makes it all the more relatable when they discuss retrofit with colleagues
and customers.

Those Bradfords employees taking part in the scheme are expected to share their learning
with colleagues to help build the capability of Bradfords to provide a quality solution for
retrofit enquiries across the region it serves.

Giles Bradford, Head of Sustainability at Bradfords, said: “By providing this initiative to
employees, we not only give them an actionable plan to reduce their own bills and emissions
but also a solid understanding of the requirements of domestic retrofit which they can share
with peers and customers.

Between now and 2050, over 2 million homes across the South West will need retrofitting.
Our scheme may be a drop in the ocean as far as this target goes for now, but along with our
wider partnership with Target CO2, it sets us up to be able to best support the UK domestic
retrofit agenda as it gains momentum.”

With the recent introduction of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)
regulations now impacting landlords and expanding government funding schemes for low-
carbon heating, this scheme supports Bradfords customers – from trades to DIYers – to
meet changing regulatory requirements.

Ben Smith, Co-Founder at Target CO2, said: “Understanding how to tackle a retrofit project is complex, and will differ greatly from house to house, so it is vitally important that all sectors of the construction sector get to grips with the solutions available. That is why it is so fantastic to be part of this scheme and witness the engagement from Bradfords staff, who will be able to pass on their knowledge to customers and beyond.”

Feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with employees noting the relative ease of some of Target CO2’s recommendations, such as installing thermostatic radiator valves or addressing ventilation gaps, as well as the potential for larger scale projects to install additional insulation, heat-pumps or solar panels.

Jo Flint, Facilities Administrator at Bradfords, who took part in the scheme, said: “The home energy assessment really opened my eyes to how insulation and ventilation are linked to each other and to energy and cost savings. I will be implementing the advice around trickle vents and extraction fans, and sharing the knowledge I have gained, as well as considering renewables solutions such as solar panels.”

Insights from the assessments will be used to develop an understanding of the South West’s retrofit needs, which in turn will inform Bradfords’ domestic retrofit proposition. The initiative also helps Bradfords and Target CO2 to develop their partnership further to provide retrofit solutions across the region.