Social housing to trial large-scale retrofits
n
A large-scale retrofitting programme in the UK is
set to start after 87 social housing projects were given a share of £17m to test low carbon building technology. The competition, entitled ‘Retrofit for the Future’, aims to create housing prototypes that could eventually be rolled out across the UK. The scheme is run by the
Technology Strategy Board in conjunction with the government. Examples of key retrofit features
include: substantial internal insulation upgrades using natural materials; heat recovery in high temperature areas; air-tightness strategies to eliminate draughts; and intelligent heating systems. The results of the projects will be shared to help show how the UK’s
current housing stock could be made more energy efficient. David Bott, director of innovation
programmes at the Technology Strategy Board, said: ‘It is critical that we look at ways to dramatically improve the performance of our existing housing stock. Retrofit for the Future provides the test beds we need to ensure the development of long-term, mass solutions.’ In the initial design phase, more
than 190 organisations received up to £20,000 each to carry out full feasibility studies and devise innovative proposals. Eighty-seven will now receive an average of £142,000 to carry out retrofits on current social houses. Each demonstrator house will be evaluated by the Energy Saving Trust for at least two years. www.innovateuk.org
Code 4 homes scheme
eschews renewables
A consortium of partners has been created to build 12 Code Level 4 homes without relying on renewable technologies. Named AIMC4, the government-
backed consortium comprises six members who aim to build the Level 4 houses under the Code for Sustainable Homes – believed to be the first project of its kind. Twelve energy efficient innovative
homes will be constructed using fabric and primary building services. Funding for the project comes from a £3.2m investment from the developers, matched by funding
www.cibsejournal.com
from the Technology Strategy Board. Three different methodologies
will be investigated: timber, masonry and hybrid. The focus will be on optimising
the actual fabric of the building, rather than add-ons. In particular, the six companies
are looking to reduce heat loss from a building’s fabric, improve passive solar gain into buildings, reduce uncontrolled air leakage from a building, and improve the accuracy of controlling space heating, ventilation and/or heating in buildings. www.aimC4.com
April 2010 CIBSE Journal
15
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