
Cutting edge, advanced retrofit training. The course has been developed to provide an in-depth knowledge of the PAS 2035 process and an introduction to our AECB Retrofit Standard, enabling graduates to easily work with and achieve these requirements. Become proficient in retrofit coordination and help effect deep and lasting change in the building design and construction industry, as we work together to achieve a net zero carbon future.
FIND OUT ABOUT WHAT THIS COURSE INCLUDES ...
The AECB Retrofit Coordination course follows on from the original AECB CarbonLite™ Retrofit Foundation course – which we are now treating as our Foundation course - in providing greater depth about retrofit project management and risk management. It has been developed to support the PAS 2035 framework and also align with the AECB Retrofit Standard. The new course will equip you and your organisation with an understanding of how to provide PAS 2035-aligned retrofit services to clients while giving individual homeowners and tenants an increased level of confidence and protection across the entire retrofit process.
Who will benefit from this course?
This year-round e-learning course is aimed at professionals in the construction industry; built environment and those involved in the energy efficiency sector who need to understand how the PAS 2035 framework impacts on their projects and which key professionals within their organisations need to upskill as defined in the UK Government ‘Heat and Buildings Strategy’ (October 2021).
The course provides the in-depth technical detail essential to understanding low carbon retrofit and a working knowledge of the PAS 2035 process and framework. The course enables students to become confident and proficient in retrofit coordination in order to help facilitate PAS 2035 compliant projects and support the work of the accredited Retrofit Coordinator and other retrofit roles.
However, please note this course will not provide the certification required to become an accredited Retrofit Coordinator.
This course is particularly useful to explore your path and position in the newly structured retrofit sector. It is ideal preparation if you would like to build a foundation and confidence before deciding whether to pursue accreditation as a Retrofit Coordinator via a Level 5 Diploma course.
What are the basic requirements to take this course?
The course is aimed at those already familiar with retrofit and project management. Students will need to be familiar with domestic construction techniques, able to read and understand construction drawings and specifications, be familiar with the Building Regulations and with construction health and safety regulations and practice, and have experience/understanding of project management (e.g., management of finances, contracts and the work of contractors).
As well as having the knowledge and experience mentioned above, we suggest that any of the following background knowledge and experience may be helpful in aiding your progress through the course at pace:
- Hold a professional qualification in a building-related subject (such as architecture, surveying, engineering or construction management), or a subject related to the management or supervision of construction and domestic construction projects.
- Hold a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at Level 3 or above in a subject related to the management or supervision of construction and domestic construction projects, along with experience of working in the building design/construction industry.
- Have completed our AECB CarbonLite™ Retrofit (CLR) course previously, and also be working in the building design/construction industry.
In order to undertake one of our courses you will need to become an AECB member. We recommend logging in to your AECB membership account ahead of applying, to make the process as smooth as possible.
We also strongly recommend referring to the PAS 2035 guidance document alongside the course. We're glad to say that AECB members can benefit from a 50% discount when purchasing the PAS 2035 guidance document - Please contact training@aecb.net in order to request a discounted purchase.
If you don't currently want to become proficient in understanding the Retrofit Coordinator role, you can choose to join our Government recognised AECB CarbonLite™ Retrofit Foundation course to learn holistically about the retrofit process including how to develop your understanding of heat, ventilation and moisture in existing buildings, awareness of the issues that can arise from repair and and how to make informed decisions, and gain knowledge in how to reduce the performance gap.
View the course Prospectus to read in detail about this course
PAS 2035:2019 was sponsored by the UK Government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This is the key document in a framework of new and existing standards on how to conduct effective energy retrofits of existing buildings, it covers how to access dwellings for retrofit, identify improvement options, design and specify Energy Efficiency Measures (EEM) and monitor retrofit projects.
The standard drives the 'whole house approach' including the 'fabric first' methodology. It defines the qualifications and responsibilities of individual retrofit roles and respective activities required prior to and post EEM installation. It includes a risk assessment process that builds incrementally robust requirements depending on what requirement path (A, B, or C) the retrofit project is assessed to fall within.
The PAS 2035 framework needs to be followed to draw down specific government funding for retrofit projects. It stipulates that Retrofit Coordinators need to register with TrustMark to be able to Coordinate such funded projects. The management of the project must be compliant with the PAS 2035 and its requirements; subject to the transition arrangements outlined below.
PAS 2035 is inextricably linked to PAS 2030:2019 (for installers), the new industry specification to replace PAS 2030:2017 and is the standard to which all energy efficiency installers must be certified and compliant.
The current Technical Author for the 2022 update of the PAS2035 document is Dr Sarah Price. Sarah is also one of the writers of our Retrofit Coordinator course.
If you scroll down this page, you can watch a discussion about the importance of PAS2035.
The content in our AECB CarbonLite™ Retrofit Coordination is attuned to deep low energy retrofit, carbon costing, and promotes the use of the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) with a focus on reducing the performance gap and introducing AECB stock modelling.
The modules follow the order of the PAS2035 stages, and we recommend you read the course in conjunction with PAS 2035 guidance document. AECB students will be able to gain access to a 50% discounted copy of the PAS 2035 guidance document.
The course modules are :
• Introduction
• Preliminary Considerations
• Retrofit Risk Assessment
• Dwelling Assessment
• Technical Information relevant to the Dwelling Assessment
• The Retrofit Design Stage
• Air Tightness and Ventilation
• Improving the building fabric - Floors and Roofs
• Improving the building fabric - Walls and Windows
• Improving the Building Services
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Improvement Option Evaluation and Medium Term Retrofit Plans
• Working With Installers
• Post-installation stages
• Technical information relevant to the post-installation stages
View the course Prospectus to read in detail about this course
- This Retrofit Coordinator course takes on average 105 hours of fully online, self-directed learning.
- The training platform will allow you to clearly track your progress, easily dip in and out of your course and to go faster or slower depending on your work and other commitments, with up to a year to complete the course.
- Students will be guided through the PAS2035 process in order to gain a good working knowledge of it. As such the learning platform guides you clearly through this.
- There are a variety of assessment types, including multiple choice, numerical calculations and scenario-based exercises. In order to help reinforce learning, a short assessment may follow at the end of each lesson.
- Download lesson booklets, for access to course content at times when internet connection may not be reliable, and for your own reference.
- Communicate with fellow students to discuss learning or to post questions arising from the material on the dedicated online forum.
- Easily get in touch with student support for dedicated assistance with any questions arising.
- Feedback on each lesson and module, and help inform and improve the course for future students.
AECB CarbonLite™ Retrofit Coordination Course
AECB Member Price
£449 +VAT
Graduates of the AECB CarbonLite Retrofit Foundation course
£399 +VAT (price available during 2023)
WRITTEN BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS
JOIN THE AECB NETWORK OF MEMBERS & STUDENTS
PAS 2035
Become proficient in the retrofit coordination process
The course works alongside the PAS 2035 framework, and provides individuals with the skills and knowledge required when working on projects under the new PAS 2035 and PAS 2030 standards, in order to then assist the accredited Retrofit Coordinator.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
CONVENIENT STUDY
DEDICATED STUDENT SUPPORT
OUR TEAM & EXPERT WRITERS
We are a dedicated team with a strong background of providing teaching, guidance and student support in the sustainable retrofit sector, and with an abundance of industry knowledge and experience.


Trish Andrews
AECB CarbonLite™ Training Manager
training@aecb.net
Trish is the AECB's new training manager. Trish will be initially helping the AECB achieve its recognition and alignment with PAS2035 and making the CarbonLite Course "Retrofit Coordinator" ready. With a passion for Sustainable Design and Architecture Trish qualified as an architect back in 1999. She also worked at CAT as a Senior Lecturer.
Sarah Everitt
AECB CarbonLite™ Training Administrator
training@aecb.net
Sarah became the Training Admin at the AECB following eight years of providing student support and programme administration for the suite of Postgraduate courses at CAT. Sarah is now helping to develop the training offerings at the AECB, looking after and developing the online learning platforms and overseeing the internal quality assurance of the training provision. Sarah recognises that the quality of the learning provision and student support is of highest priority, and is glad to be helping students and professionals on their journey to effect real and lasting change in the building design and construction industry towards a net zero carbon future.


Andy Simmonds
Head of School
Andy is the Chief Executive Officer of the AECB. Andy is also an architectural designer and builder and a partner in Simmonds.Mills, a practice which specialises in ecological design. Andy brings together his experience as a low energy building designer with research into moisture and energy issues. Andy’s own house was the first certified (and monitored) domestic EnerPHit refrofit in the UK.
Dr. Sarah Price
Course Writer
Sarah was one of the main writers of our AECB Retrofit Standard. Sarah has experience of working on a wide variety of projects related to energy in the built environment from concept through to commissioning. Sarah is also the current Technical Author for the updated PAS2035 document.


Eric Parks
Course Writer
Eric is an architect and long-term AECB member whose career has focused solely on practicing energy saving design. He has been a regular trainer on a Passivhaus Designer course and is keen to assist self-builders, other building practitioners and professionals in designing and building to high standards of energy saving and comfort.
Tim Martel
Course Writer
Tim is an expert in PHPP energy calculations for new build and retrofit projects, Embodied CO2 calculations, PAS2035 calculations, software and moisture issues. He’s the author of the AECB PHribbon software, used with PHPP, and a standalone Embodied CO2 calculator. This is backed up with considerable expertise in Excel, macro/Visual Basic programming and calculations.


Bill Butcher
Expert Advisor
Bill jointly set up Green Building Store in 1995 and amongst other duties runs the construction and consultancy sections of the business advising on numerous low energy and PH projects. Bill is a Certified Passive House Consultant and a Certified Passive House Tradesperson. He also serves on the Technical Panel of the Passivhaus Trust, teaches on the Construction module of the CarbonLite CEPH Designer course and is a tutor on the CarbonLite Retrofit course.
Tina Holt
Course Writer
Dr. Tina Holt trained as an earth scientist with particular focus on the causes and impacts of climate change. She has worked in education, IT and editing technical information for a broader audience. In 2011-12 she retrofitted her own home close to the EnerPHit standard and consults on domestic energy efficiency. Tina worked for the AECB as the lead tutor for the CarbonLite Retrofit course before moving on to CAFS.


Maria Moise
Course Writer
Maria has a Master’s degree in Sustainable Architecture from the Graduate School of the Environment at CAT (the Centre for Alternative Technology). Maria is a trained Retrofit Coordinator and AECB CarbonLite™ Retrofit graduate. She is curious about the different ways buildings can be used throughout their life and how holistic design approaches can help futureproof them. She runs an architecture practice based in York which specialises in existing buildings and helping people understand how to look after and retrofit their homes.
Ian Mawditt
Course Writer
“Around 90% of buildings standing today will still be in use in 2050. Responsible retrofit is essential to ensure these buildings are fit for purpose and are compatible with our future energy systems. We need to start now!”
Member of the technical team supporting the governments of England (MHCLG) and Wales developing revisions to their respective Building Regulations. Technical lead for the review of Part F (ventilation) and for the building fabric specifications for Part L (conservation of fuel and power), including airtightness standards. Co-chair of the technical working group for ventilation and indoor air quality at the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings. Member of the Retrofit Standards Task Group.


Barbara Lantschner
Course Writer
Barbara is an experienced Building Performance Specialist and Retrofit Coordinator, leading Building Performance Evaluation and Deep Retrofit Projects, focusing on Whole House Retrofit, Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE), energy efficiency assessment, energy modelling, performance gap assessment, renewable energy assessment, Indoor Air Quality, ventilation and buiding-users-engagement programmes. The majority of this work is for community organisations, public bodies and housing associations.
Winner of the Saltire Society's Innovation in Housing award 2016 for projects relating to the implementation of POE techniques and SHIFT Awards for Small Retrofit Projects in 2017. Barbara was involved with several research projects, including Mechanical Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality research studies for the Scottish Government.
John Cantor
Course Writer
John established John Cantor Heat Pumps in 1980 and has close links with The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Wales. He has installed various heat pumps, river-sourced and ground-sourced domestic installations, hydro-driven systems, low-energy refrigeration, heat –recovery applications as well as writing books on these subjects. John has contributed both to the AECB CarbonLite™ Retrofit modules on heat pumps as well as various areas within the newer AECB CarbonLite™ Retrofit Coordination course.
SUSTAINABLE KNOWLEDGE CENTRE
We have gathered together here resources that you may find useful to compliment your training.

