Why Choose This Course?

Older and traditional buildings make up a significant portion of the UK’s housing stock and require specialist knowledge when it comes to retrofit. Applying modern materials or methods without understanding the building’s construction and moisture dynamics can lead to costly and damaging outcomes. This course helps you build the knowledge needed to make informed, responsible decisions. Whether you work in housing, construction, surveying, or conservation, it equips you to improve energy performance without compromising building fabric or heritage value.

Content Overview

This course covers the core principles and practices for improving energy efficiency in traditional buildings, including:

• Understanding traditional building construction and materials
• Moisture movement, breathability, and building physics in older structures
• The risks of applying modern retrofit methods to heritage buildings
• Assessing building condition prior to energy efficiency upgrades
• Selection and application of appropriate retrofit measures
• Internal and external wall insulation considerations
• Windows, doors, roofs, and floors – traditional building upgrades
• Regulatory context, conservation principles, and planning constraints
• Assessment is based on a combination of practical application and underpinning knowledge, in line with NOCN requirements.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal prerequisites; however, the course is most suitable for individuals with some background or interest in construction, retrofit, building maintenance, or heritage conservation. It is ideal for professionals such as retrofit coordinators, surveyors, project managers, contractors, or housing officers working with older properties. A basic understanding of building performance or retrofit principles will be helpful.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course and its assessment, learners will receive a nationally recognised qualification awarded by NOCN. This certification demonstrates specialist knowledge in the appropriate energy efficiency measures for older and traditional buildings and can contribute to ongoing professional development within retrofit, conservation, and housing sectors.