Building surveyors warn against ‘eco-bling’

ADVICE: Kevin Marling

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

Leading Humber building surveyors Delaney Marling Partnership are urging homeowners and businesses to adopt a ‘fabric first’ approach to energy efficiency upgrades, warning that superficial installations of heat pumps and solar panels risk wasting money and undermining genuine sustainability.

With Government grants fuelling a surge in demand for air source heat pumps (ASHPs) and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, the firm says too many properties are receiving ‘eco-bling’ - flashy renewables retrofitted onto draughty, poorly insulated buildings with disappointing results.

“High-tech kit on a leaky building is like fitting a Ferrari engine to a car with flat tyres”, said Kevin Marling, chartered building surveyor at Delaney Marling Partnership. “The system labours inefficiently, bills stay high and promised savings evaporate.”

Government data backs this up: 

• Up to 25 per cent of domestic heat loss comes from uninsulated walls alone (English Housing Survey).

• Rushed renewables retrofits without fabric-first upgrades can see efficiency drop by 30-50 per cent (DESNZ guidance)

Practical steps for property owners include:

• Target UK building regs U-values (e.g. 0.18 W/m²K for walls) using 100mm-150mm PIR/phenolic boards; 200-300mm+ for maximum performance.

• Commission whole-building audits with thermal imaging to ensure ASHPs achieve COP >3.0 via 140-200mm roof insulation.

• Add Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) ventilation alongside strategic upgrades like 270mm+ pitched roofs to maintain air quality without heat loss.

These evidence-based strategies align with Passivhaus standards and net-zero goals, delivering payback in five to seven years through lower bills and higher property values.

“True sustainability blooms from solid foundations, not shiny gimmicks,” added Kevin. “We encourage whole-building surveys to assess fabric condition, materials and dew point calculations before sizing heat pumps or solar PV - it’s a whole-property approach.”