Top 4 Reasons to Retrofit Your Property Sustainably

For commercial landlords in the UK, the landscape is changing fast. Tenants are demanding more from the buildings they lease, including lower energy bills, smarter systems and eco-conscious credentials. At the same time, legislation and ESG pressures are ramping up. If you're not already thinking about how to make a building sustainable, now is the time.

Sustainable commercial property isn't just a buzzword, it’s fast becoming the standard. And the good news is that retrofitting your building doesn’t have to be a financial burden. With technologies like battery storage, solar PV and funded battery schemes such as GreenBattery, the path to a smarter, more profitable asset has never been clearer.

What is Sustainable Retrofitting?

Sustainable retrofitting is the process of upgrading existing buildings with energy-efficient and low-carbon technologies. It’s about making your property future-ready, without the costs and complexities of demolition and rebuild. For commercial landlords, it’s the opportunity to increase tenant appeal, reduce operational costs and align your portfolio with ESG goals and government incentives.

Is it Worth It?

If you’ve ever wondered “is sustainable retrofitting worth it for commercial buildings?”, the answer is increasingly clear: yes, and sooner rather than later. Especially in areas where traditional commercial stock is aging and tenants are actively seeking energy-efficient space.

4 Reasons to Retrofit Now

1. Attract and Retain Better Tenants

Tenants, especially national brands and businesses with ESG targets, are under increasing pressure to report their emissions. Their Scope 1 and 2 emissions include energy used in your building. If your commercial property is not energy-efficient, it's no longer just an inconvenience, it's a dealbreaker.

Smart meters, on-site renewables, EV charging and energy dashboards are becoming standard expectations. If you can offer these from day one, your building becomes far more attractive and competitive.

2. Unlock New Revenue from On-Site Energy

It’s time to start seeing energy as an opportunity. By integrating solar PV and commercial battery storage, your building can generate, store and manage its own power. This not only slashes bills but creates opportunities for load shifting, demand-side response and grid services.

With a funded battery model like GreenBattery, there’s no upfront capital required. You get a top-tier battery system installed and maintained (at zero cost) and you share in the savings and revenue.

3. Boost Asset Value and EPC Ratings

Legislation is tightening for commercial landlords (you can read more about that here). From 2028, commercial buildings in England must achieve an EPC rating of C or above to be legally leased. By 2030, that minimum rises to B. Ignoring this will mean costly void periods or urgent, reactive upgrades down the line.

A proactive retrofit now not only avoids those issues, it can increase asset value. Energy-efficient buildings command higher rents and longer tenancies. Whether you’re holding long-term or planning a sale, boosting energy efficiency is a smart move.

4. Access Funding and Avoid Penalties

There is an increasing pool of funding options, tax benefits and low-interest finance schemes available to support commercial property sustainability. But these incentives won’t last forever. Waiting could mean losing out, while also facing growing regulatory risks and increasing insurance premiums for inefficient buildings.

Why Battery Storage is the Secret Weapon

PV panels are now well-established, but battery storage is where the real strategic advantage lies. If you're talking to companies about installing PV but they're not also telling you about the benefits of battery storage, you're speaking to the wrong people.

What can a commercial battery do for your building?

• Store excess solar energy and use it when the sun’s not shining

• Buy power off-peak, store it and use it during peak hours to avoid high tariffs

• Reduce grid reliance, especially in areas with unstable infrastructure

• Sell power back to the grid or engage in revenue-generating grid balancing markets

• Enable EV charging hubs without upgrading your grid connection

With a GreenBattery from VEST, you don’t need to worry about upfront costs or maintenance. We take care of everything. You just benefit from reduced bills, happier tenants and a greener building.

How to Make a Building Sustainable

Many landlords assume sustainability is only possible in new builds. That’s a myth. With the right retrofit strategy, any building (no matter how old) can become a sustainable commercial property.

Here’s how to start:

1. Audit Your Current Energy Use

• Understand where your energy is going. Lighting? Heating? Cooling?

 2. Install Smart Monitoring Systems

• Real-time data helps tenants manage their usage and supports ESG reporting.

• Smart systems also allow you to optimise building performance.

 3. Upgrade Lighting and HVAC

• LED lighting and efficient heating/cooling systems are fast, high-impact wins.

• These upgrades often pay back within 2–3 years.

4. Add Solar PV

• Generate clean electricity from your roof.

• This reduces bills and helps meet sustainability targets.

5. Install Battery Storage (Funded)

• Pairing solar with a battery maximises your return.

• GreenBattery offers a fully funded model with no upfront capital needed.

6. Improve Insulation and Windows

• Often overlooked but crucial for long-term savings.

• Better insulation improves EPC and makes spaces more comfortable.

Energy = Opportunity

So much of UK commercial stock is energy-inefficient. This presents a massive opportunity. Retrofitting older properties is not just about meeting regulation, it's about staying competitive in a market that’s moving fast.

By leading the charge, you’ll position your portfolio as modern, sustainable and future-proof. And with rising energy prices, the payback is faster than ever. At VEST, we specialise in helping commercial landlords turn energy from a headache into an asset.

GreenBattery is our funded battery solution, designed specifically for commercial and industrial properties in the UK. We install, manage and maintain a battery on your site at no cost to you. You get guaranteed energy savings, predictable returns and full transparency.

We work with landlords, asset managers and estate teams to:

• Assess property suitability

• Manage installation with minimal disruption

• Integrate with PV and other onsite generation

• Monitor and optimise long-term performance

  
  

Act Now, Reap the Rewards

The energy transition isn’t a future issue, it’s happening now. As a commercial landlord, you have a unique window to capitalise on sustainability, future-proof your assets and unlock real value.

Get in touch if you want to learn more.