As you are aware the 2023 revision to PAS 2035/2030 was announced in October 2023 with changes being phased in over the next 18 months. But what are the key changes and how will they potentially affect you as a retrofit installer of specifier?

Both PAS 2035 and PAS 2030 are affected and by way of reminder:

PAS 2035 details best practice guidance for domestic retrofit projects, and specifies a process retrofit projects must follow which is based off a whole house approach as to minimise the risk of unintended consequences. PAS 2035 must be used in conjunction with the PAS 2030 document.   

PAS 2030 sets out robust and uniformly applicable technical specifications for the installation of energy efficiency improvement measures. The PAS 2030 document is used by installers of energy efficiency measures to ensure that they meet the requirements set out in the document, and to ensure that work carried out is to the highest standard.    

Energy efficiency measures installed under current Government energy efficiency schemes must be compliant with PAS 2035/2030 to ensure installations are done to the highest quality and the risk of unintended consequences, such as condensation or damp, are minimised.   This means that your understanding of both is critical.

PAS 2035/2030: 2023 - The Key Changes

The Government remains committed to the retrofit of the 17 million UK homes which have an EPC rating of below a C. At the same time they remain focussed on quality of installation and protection of consumers during the retrofit process and it's this that PAS 2035/2030 has set out to address since first publication back in 2019. 

The latest revision comes as a result of an industry led working group (which included a representative from SWIGA) and their efforts over the past 12 months or so.

1: The first major change is that the new PAS 2035/2030: 2023 is available as a completely FREE download - something which hasn't happened before. To download your copy simply wisit the BSI webstore via the following link and fill in your details :

https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/retrofitting-dwellings-for-improved-energy-efficiency-specification-and-guidance-2?version=standard 

2: PAS 2035/2030 guidance has been updated to reflect national policy rather than European policy as before.

3: BEIS Retrofit Technical Guides have been included as references.

4: The role of Retrofit Contractor has been better recognised and referred to as Main Contractor to avoid confusion.

5: Contents of a Medium Term Improvement Plan are now requirements rather than guidance.

6: There is now a requirement to produce an air tightness strategy for some fabric projects but this need not be over-onerous.

7: Where there is a requirement for further monitoring and evaluation this now references the new BS 40100 Building Performance Evaluation and considered from conception through to completion.

8: A process for the distressed replacement of heating appliances has been introduced to enable to fast replacement of faulty heating appliances whenever necessary.

9: Guidance and requirement for climate resilience and adaptation has been strengthened.

10: Requirements and guidance relating to moisture in buildings has been introduced.

11: Improvements have been made to better facilitate retrofit at scale.

12: Risk pathways have been removed.

13: The role of Retrofit Coordinator has been better clarified.

14: A new Annex E has been introduced in relation to buildings of historic significance.

15: Annex C relating to ventilation has been simplified.

16: The requirements for independent inspection under PAS 2030 has changed.

PAS 2035/2030: 2023 - Implementing The Changes

Trustmark have announced an 18 month transition period meaning that all changes to the new PAS 2035/2030: 2023 must be fully adopted by April 2025 at the very latest.

PAS 2035/2030: 2023 - The Changes In More Detail

If you're involved in the retrofit of residential buildings it's your responsibility to understand and work to the new PAS 2035/2039: 2023 standards within the deadline. You should therefore download, read and digest the new version via the BSI website where it is available for free. Simply click the following link and follow the instructions:

https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/retrofitting-dwellings-for-improved-energy-efficiency-specification-and-guidance-2?version=standard 

To help you better understand the key changes as listed above to BSI recently held an online webinar which was recorded and has now been made available to view and listen to. It lasts around one hour and explains all you need to know in simple terms. Simply click the following link to watch the presentation:

BSI Presentation - PAS 2035/2030: 2023, The Key Changes Explained >>>