Ending Retrofit’s Rollercoaster: Jack Allen on Wave 3 Funding, PAS 2035 & Truly Warm Homes
Strap in for a straight‑talking, myth‑busting tour of Britain’s retrofit frontline. Host  Matt Milloy sits down with Jack Allen-founder of Building Energy Experts and one of the sector’s sharpest building‑physics brains-to expose why PAS 2035 compliance, airtightness testing and real‑world performance data beat “best‑guess” modelling every time .
Jack pulls no punches about the boom‑and‑bust “Wave” funding fiasco that’s left contractors gasping for air-and explains how the three‑year Warm Homes Wave 3 pot could finally steady the ship if policymakers stop dithering . He calls out the perverse incentives that splash £30k on external wall insulation while ignoring dirt‑cheap airtightness fixes, and argues that councils should fund expertise first and measures second to unlock real value for money .
But this episode isn’t just policy talk. Jack drops jaw‑dropping stats-25 k excess cold‑home deaths, 30 k pollution deaths every year-and shows how a cosy, ventilated, heat‑pump‑powered home can slash bills and asthma attacks alike . His rallying cry? Open‑house programmes, bacon‑butty bribes and a “take‑the‑gloves‑off” marketing push to get the next 20 % of Brits to see, feel and want the retrofit revolution .
If you’re ready for unfiltered insights, fearless advocacy and a roadmap to truly warm, healthy homes, this is the episode to queue up now.
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Water and The Retrofit Solution
In this episode of the Refurb and Retrofit podcast, host Matt Milloy speaks with Samantha Mant from Halcyan Water about the innovative water conditioning technology that addresses the issues of hard water. They discuss the significant energy and carbon savings that can be achieved by treating hard water effectively, the challenges faced by small businesses in the water treatment industry, and the importance of accreditation for market access. Samantha shares insights into the environmental benefits of their product, the science behind it, and the need for greater consumer awareness and adoption of sustainable solutions.
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Mad Men Ad Man Takes On Retrofit
In this episode of the Refurb and Retrofit podcast, Matt Milloy interviews Leo Raymon founder of Eden Labs, who discusses the intersection of sustainability and marketing. They explore the challenges of marketing retrofit solutions, the importance of community engagement, and the emotional drivers that can motivate consumers to adopt sustainable practices. Leo emphasizes the need for a national conversation about sustainability and the role of collaboration among various stakeholders to create demand for eco-friendly solutions. The conversation also touches on overcoming negative perceptions and the importance of storytelling in promoting sustainability. Leo was and is one of those people who is a modern Mad Men. But the good one.
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Employment Focused Training - The Future Of Retrofit
In this episode of the Refurb and Retrofit podcast, host Matt Milloy speaks with Elliot Grover from Greenworkxs about the critical role of training in the retrofit industry. They discuss the urgent need for a skilled workforce to meet net zero targets, the barriers preventing new entrants from joining the industry, and how Greenworks is addressing these challenges through innovative training solutions. The conversation highlights the importance of continuous learning, the need for engaging training methods for younger generations, and the potential of AI in enhancing training processes.
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House Monitoring Tool In The Post
In this episode of the Refurb and Retrofit podcast, host Matt Milloy interviews Hermione Crease, CEO of Permetrix, a company specializing in tools for measuring housing performance. They discuss the importance of accurate data in retrofit projects, the user-friendly nature of Permetrix's testing kits, and the company's commitment to data privacy under GDPR. Hermione explains how their tools provide valuable insights for homeowners and professionals alike, emphasizing the need for accurate measurements to guide retrofit decisions. The conversation also touches on the future of the company, the role of AI in home monitoring, and the challenges of addressing climate resilience in building design.
About Refurb and Retrofit - Transformation In Action
Following the developments, stories and innovations in the refurbishment, retrofit and refit sectors. Bricks made from plants, carbon negative materials and building transformations.
We hear from architects, materials specialists, builders, heating experts, gas and pipe gurus and pioneers of new ways that can help transform housing here in the UK and around the world.
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