Partly out of curiosity and partly thinking it may be relevant to your plans ...

You mention 'energy consultant' and 'qualified passivhaus consultant'. What exactly do those terms mean/refer to in your context?

Hi Chris,

Assuming you have good links with contractors who did what you asked them to do you are in a strong position to do baseline surveys for householders, make recommendations and then actually have someone who could do the work. The issue I have on a regular basis is not being able to find contractors. The experience you will have re air-tightness and dealing with thermal bridging will be invaluable.

It could be worthwhile contacting local architects with a flyer to describe what you can offer as I guess many don't have PH skills/knowledge.

Still wondering about this career change. Had a conversation with People Powered Retrofit in Manchester about doing energy assessments for them who suggested I do the PAS 2035 Retrofit coordinator course- Is this worth it? Isnt it just for Government schemes- of which their aren't really any? I realise I didn't answer the question about PH consultant- its a 2 weeks course with an exam at the end- done by architects etc. Ive seen the AECB do retrofit courses, are they worth doing? What job possibilities would there be a the end? If I were doing energy assessments what software would be good to use? Have used PHPP but this seems a bit OTT for a basic energy assessment. Also wondering about trying to get qualified to fit ASHPS- I have some experience. Seems like you have to go through the rigmarole of getting a NVQ level2 in basic plumbing to do this.

The AECB Carbonlite Retrofit course is really good - a deep dive into building physics. They also do an add-on module which it seems ought to qualify you as a Retrofit Co-ordinator but for reasons I am not aware of apparently does not.

PAS 2035 sets out a sensible framework for project control and risk minimisation. That has to be good, especially as the PAS 2035 standard was (is) a response to well-documented failings in the past. However, since individuals and organisations have achieved good results in the past without the disasters referred to then it probably is not the only viable model. Ask all the 'Superhomers' (superhomes.org.uk) or a number of initiators of well-publicised schemes. Read Passive House Plus for really successful projects, etc. etc....

If you did the Carbonlite Retrofit course you'd have the learning (and you probably have all the site co-ordination experience anyway) and then (or already, now) you could perhaps be a retrofit co-ordinator, rather than a Retrofit Co-ordinator. I have helped clients co-ordinate their retrofits for some years but always on privately-funded projects rather than Public- (or Energy Co. -) funded schemes.

PPR's Home Retrofit Planner tool is very good - I have used it on a number of occasions. It is SAP-based but they have painstakingly ironed out a lot of the 'wrinkles' in SAP.

I do 'elemental' surveys, which simply look at estimated existing U values, calculated 'after works' U values and consider thermal bridging and air-tightness. I do not attempt to estimate costs of works or post-works running costs. Some people like this approach and some don't, and the 'models' exist for both.

Good luck whatever you choose. I think even if you go down the HP route your more general retrofit (and PH NB) experience will be invaluable to your clients, so you may end up being a 'HP Contractor+++' (in terms of added value.