Retrofit house – solutions for low carbon housing

Posted on Monday, May 10th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Categories: News
Tags: Tags: green energy, newport

Charter has secured part of £100,000 from the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), a Government initiative, designed to significantly reduce energy use and carbon emissions through the retrofit of an existing house.

The house, based at The Turnstiles in Newport was built in the 1980′s is one of 87 social housing units across the UK that the TSB have funded as part of the “Retrofit for the Future” programme.

Why is the work necessary?

Housing accounts for 27% of UK carbon emissions. 80% of the houses that will be present in the UK in 2050 have already been built. Therefore, the performance of existing housing stock must be dramatically improved to meet the UK’s target of an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.

Lots of energy is currently being wasted at The Turnstiles house, as a result of heat loss through the building fabric and through draughty windows and doors. Due to lack of poor natural lighting, tenants need to put lights on during the da, their appliances are not energy efficient and hot water is not heated or used efficiently.

What is being done to the house?

The design of the house will be improved in order to reduce energy demand, reduce draughts and improve natural daylight. Living and amenity space will be increased to improve the occupants comfort and the house will be fitted with ~ triple glazed windows and doors, instulated internal walls, including extra storage, roof insulation, a ground source heat pump to extract heat from the ground to heat the house and energy from the sun will be used for hot water to generate electricity

These works will take 8-9 weeks to complete.

Who is involved in the retrofit?

Naturally, the most important people involved in the retrofit are the residents. They have lived at the property for 20 years and need to feel comfortable in their home during and after the retrofit has been completed. They have been asked to maintain a diary so that their satisfaction and comfort can be monitored throughout the whole process and they will learn how to use their new energy efficient equipment effectively.

Members of the project team include :

• Charter who own the property and will undertake the building work and maintenance and,
• The Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University, who will undertake the design and remotely monitor the property for two years to establish what impact it will have on the environment and the lives of the tenants.

What will the impact be?

Computer modelling has calculated that there will be an 83% saving on current carbon emissions, equated to a saving of £230 on the resident’s fuel costs. The property will become a more pleasant place to live with improved thermal comfort, natural lighting and increase living and storage space. The successful elements of the prototype retrofit will be rolled out across Wales and throughout the UK.

For further information please contact: megan.smith@charterhousing.co.uk