PAS 2035
PAS 2035:2023 Retrofitting dwellings for improved energy efficiency - Specification and guidance is one of a number of Publicly Available Specifications covering retrofit, refurbishment and building upgrades. The others public specifications include; PAS 2030:2023 Installation of energy efficiency measures in existing dwellings and PAS 2038:2021 Retrofitting non-domestic buildings for improved energy efficiency.
PAS 2035:2023 (Incorporating Corrigendum No. 1) Retrofitting dwellings for improved energy efficiency – Specification and guidance describes retrofit building physics, building pathology, thermal models and calculations, approaches to retrofit in the medium term and at scale, performance considerations, standards and constraints, fabric first, interfaces, wholedwelling assessments, distressed replacement, retrofit designs, testing, commissioning and handover. It also also describes the various retrofit related roles, such as the main contractor and retrofit installer, retrofit advisors, coordinators, assessors, and evaluators aswell as standards, frameworks, competency and qualifications relating to these roles.
The PAS document says "Statutory national targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in response to the threat of climate change imply that very significant improvements need to be made in the energy efficiency of the UK’s building stock, including nearly all its 27 million domestic buildings. The Climate Change Committee sets “carbon budgets” under the Climate Change Act 2008, and the Government’s Net Zero Strategy includes a commitment to improvements in Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scores in existing dwellings." It goes on to say that it "supports work towards those objectives by promoting and defining technically robust and responsible “wholedwelling” domestic retrofit work, i.e. highquality work that supports:"
- "a) improved functionality, usability and durability of buildings;
- b) improved comfort, health and wellbeing of building occupants and visitors;
- c) improved energy efficiency, leading to reduced fuel use, fuel costs and pollution (especially greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use);
- d) reduced environmental impacts of buildings;
- e) protection and enhancement of the architectural and cultural heritage as represented by the building stock;
- f) avoidance of unintended consequences related to any of the above;
- g) minimization of the “performance gap” that occurs when reductions in fuel use, fuel cost and carbon dioxide emissions are not as large as intended or predicted; and
- h) protection of the general public and the client in relation to retrofit work."
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Alterations to existing buildings.
- Do the building regulations apply to works to existing buildings?
- Demolition.
- Material amendment.
- Material change of use.
- Minor material amendment.
- Non material amendment.
- Change of use class.
- PAS 2038:2021 Retrofitting non-domestic buildings for improved energy efficiency.
- Planning permission.
- Permitted development.
- Principal designer.
- Renovation v refurbishment v retrofit.
- Retrofit.
- Retrofit projects and roles
- Types of work to existing buildings.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.




















