As government retrofit initiatives like ECO4 and the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) Wave 3 roll out, housing providers across the UK face mounting pressure to prove that publicly funded works are both effective and lasting. It’s no longer enough to simply carry out energy efficiency upgrades — the challenge now lies in accountability, transparency, and evidence.
Section 2.9 of the WH:SHF Wave 3 guidance couldn’t be clearer: funding recipients must deliver more than upgrades — they must demonstrate that those interventions result in measurable, sustained improvements to tenant health and property performance.
So, how can landlords, local authorities, and delivery partners meet this demand?
The Challenge: Proving Retrofit Works, Long-Term
Retrofit schemes are often technically sound on paper — insulation is installed, heating systems are replaced, ventilation is improved. But without post-installation validation, it’s impossible to know if these improvements actually deliver healthier, more energy-efficient homes.
Key questions often go unanswered:
- Has damp and mould been eradicated?
- Are tenants now living in safe, well-ventilated homes?
- Has indoor air quality actually improved?
- Will these benefits last?
When left unmonitored, even well-intentioned retrofit works can fall short. Issues such as persistent moisture, ineffective ventilation, or even poor behavioural compatibility with new systems can reintroduce health hazards — often quietly and undetected until disrepair claims arise.
WH:SHF Wave 3 Section 2.9 – A New Standard for Performance Monitoring
The WH:SHF Wave 3 guidance outlines a progressive approach to funding — one rooted in long-term value. Section 2.9 specifically recognises performance monitoring as an eligible additional measure, stating it can be used to:
- Demonstrate pre- and post-retrofit performance
- Support funding justification and future grant applications
- Prove environmental and health improvements
- Ensure the long-term wellbeing of residents
- Provide early warning of re-emerging risks, such as mould, damp or poor air quality
This requirement places a clear onus on housing providers to monitor, measure and prove that public money has been spent wisely — and that tenants are better off for it.
Our Solution: Real-Time Property Performance Data
At the heart of our service is an environmental and fabric monitoring system that delivers precisely what the government demands: clear, objective proof that retrofit interventions have worked — and continue to work.
We install discreet, non-intrusive sensors into properties before retrofit begins and again post-completion. These sensors capture detailed, real-time data on the very fabric and environment of each property — including temperature, humidity, ventilation, and mould risk.
Our system empowers housing providers to:
- Benchmark baseline performance before retrofit
- Validate that works have resulted in a healthier home
- Track ongoing performance to futureproof homes
- Flag emerging issues early, before they become disrepair claims
Why It Works: Designed for Compliance, Built for Tenants
Our service is not just data collection — it’s a compliance and quality assurance tool designed to meet the highest standards:
- WH:SHF-compliant: Fully aligned with Section 2.9 of Wave 3 guidance
- Audit-ready: Detailed reports that evidence pre-and post-retrofit changes
- Health-focused: Monitors conditions directly tied to damp, mould, and air quality
- Portfolio-scale: Easy to install and manage across hundreds or thousands of properties
- Cost-preventative: Detects problems early to reduce legal and maintenance exposure.
This is about more than just ticking funding boxes — it’s about protecting the long-term health of tenants and proving the value of every pound spent.
Accountability Isn’t Optional — It’s Essential
As ECO4 and WH:SHF Wave 3 funding becomes more competitive, those who can prove impact will be those best placed to win future bids and avoid costly scrutiny.
Our environmental and fabric monitoring system acts as an independent safeguard for both funders and delivery teams — capturing real-world data that reflects how homes perform after retrofit is completed and tenants have returned to day-to-day life.
“Retrofit is just the start. We help you prove it works — and that it lasts.”
