NSBRC Masterclass: Improving energy effi ien


For many homeowners, a renovation project begins with a practical need. Perhaps you need more space, a better layout or simply want to modernise an ageing property. ncreasingly, however, renovation and retrofi t projects are also driven by a desire to reduce energy bills, improve comfort and create homes that are fi t for the future.


I


mproving an existing home can also be one of the most sustainable choices you make. By upgrading and extending – rather than rebuilding – many homeowners can reduce the environmental impact associated with new construction while improving the performance of the property they already have. Whether you’re undertaking a sympathetic renovation of a period property, extending a family home or embarking on a whole-house retrofi t, improving energy effi ciency presents one of the greatest opportunities to add long-term value. The challenge isn’t a lack of technology. From high- performance insulation and modern glazing to heat pumps, solar PV and smart heating controls, homeowners have more options than ever before. The real challenge lies in understanding which measures are right for your property – and in what order they should be introduced.


WHY EVERY HOME IS DIFFERENT Unlike new build homes, existing properties come with their own unique characteristics and constraints. The age of the building, its construction, existing insulation levels, ventilation and even its orientation can all infl uence which improvements will deliver the greatest benefi t.


18


investing in new technologies, it’s worth taking the time to understand how your home currently performs and identifying where improvements will have the greatest impact.


START WITH THE BUILDING – NOT THE TECHNOLOGY


The best energy effi ciency upgrade isn’t a product – it’s a plan.


While many renovation projects focus on improving how a home looks or functions, retrofi t goes a step further by improving how it performs. In reality, the two often go hand in hand, presenting the perfect opportunity to create homes that are warmer, healthier and signifi cantly more energy effi cient. There is rarely a one-sie-fi ts-all solution; what works well in one property may be unsuitable for another. So before


One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is choosing a heating system before addressing how much heat the building actually loses. The most effi cient heating system in the world can’t compensate for a home that loses heat through poorly insulated walls, roofs, fl oors or draughty windows and doors. That’s why many renovation professionals advocate a fabric fi rst’ approach. Improving insulation, reducing unwanted air leakage and addressing thermal bridging can dramatically reduce a home’s energy demand before any new heating technology is considered. Not only can this improve comfort throughout the year, but it can also reduce ongoing energy costs and, in some cases, allow for a smaller, more effi cient heating system to be installed. Technology should follow the building – not the other way around. f you’d like to see what a fabric-fi rst


approach looks like in practice, the BC’s etrofi t one features lifesie examples of common UK homes,


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68