RETROFIT & SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS
Retrofitting energy-efficient windows key to upgrading of social homes
With local authorities and housing associations facing acute pressure to upgrade millions of social homes in line with modern Net Zero and thermal performance standards, retrofitting energy- efficient windows and doors will offer a vital way forward
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his is the view of Retrofit Right – Making Social Housing More Energy-Efficient, which explores how the sector can decarbonise 4.4 million UK social homes across the UK – mostly built between 1945 and 1980 – in line with legislative requirements and available funding. This new whitepaper from polymer specialist REHAU confronts the scale of this challenge by demonstrating the crucial nature of informed specification of window and door systems. It underlines the importance of these key components in affecting heat loss in residential properties, detailing relevant standards, regulations and metrics such as those governing thermal performance, noise attenuation, security and ventilation. The report goes on to emphasise the importance of local authorities establishing, bolstering and maintaining supply chains to ensure the specification of high-quality components in these retrofitting efforts. As explained by Martin Hitchin, chief executive at REHAU UK, this third-party supply chain support is also key to bridging knowledge gaps and easing workloads within the social housing sector that may be exacerbated by the scope of the required works. “The UK’s residential sector is under great
pressure to reduce emissions in line with Net Zero targets, including a 78% drop in emissions by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2050,” he explains. “As social housing is publicly owned, there’s undoubtedly additional pressure on local authorities to decarbonise, and to ensure that every pound spent works as hard as possible to achieve the desired energy efficiency improvements. For strained local authorities and housing association teams, this combination
of raised expectations and the sheer scale of decarbonising millions of social housing properties make this a daunting challenge. “As major sources of heat loss within properties, windows and door systems have a key role to play in improving the thermal performance of social housing. This is why we launched this latest whitepaper – it provides valuable advice on how to approach the frame specification and upgrading process, complying with relevant standards and regulations, and the importance of medium retrofits in achieving these goals. Retrofit Right goes on to emphasise the importance of selecting sustainable materials such as coextruded polymer and advises social housing stakeholders to go beyond the point-of-purchase when selecting new frames. Specifically, it encourages decisionmakers to explore data-driven technologies including integrated digital ID cards for individual frames
to streamline later maintenance works for local authorities and housing associations. Material considerations and performance standards of frames are undoubtedly key for local authorities and housing associations carrying out retrofitting projects,” Martin concludes. However, those selecting components should also see how added services can streamline ongoing maintenance works, including breakages and installing additional accessories.
Innovations such as REHAU’s Window.
ID provide quick access to key data and fenestration experts, greatly reducing the need for time-consuming inspection or measurement appointments. As detailed in Retrofit Right, these innovations can allow housing associations and local authorities to save money by reducing the number of visits to affected properties, ensuring efficient and effective maintenance.
Sustainable heating for a heritage peak district home
A project to sympathetically restore and extend a home set in an area of outstanding natural beauty could already be described as difficult. Yet renovating this property with sustainability in mind adds further challenges, especially when it comes to heating and plumbing.
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his was the situation facing Renewable Planet, the energy consultants on this particular project in the Peak District. Taking place on green belt land, any works would require a
sensitive approach to design to minimise environmental impact while also meeting local planning policies that encourage low-carbon solutions. Though the building was not listed, there were additional requirements regarding the elevations of the property, which were to remain unobstructed. To supply the property effectively and efficiently, Renewable Planet recommended installing two 10kW heat pumps. These pumps needed to be positioned away from the main building to preserve unobstructed views around the home, adding further complexity. Specifically, these pumps would need to be discreetly placed while also allowing access for maintenance and adequate airflow.
Realising a pipe dream
To address these requirements, Rehau’s Rauvitherm pre-insulated PE-Xa pipe was specified. With a high-flexibility PEX foam layer and corrugated outer jacket, Rauvitherm is a pipe system that is highly flexible and robust at the same time. These features allow for more complex connections, making the pipe system well- suited to small- to medium-sized heat networks
22 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER MARCH 2025
and heat pump installations. For this particular project, it could offer superior thermal retention while minimising heat losses from the pump to plant room.
“Having considered many options and specifications and after extensive research following on from a high number of installations, we chose this system to support the quality and consistency of installation
and minimise heat losses,” explained Peter Mycoe, director of Renewable Planet. “It allowed us to ensure that these systems are installed properly for our clients, and can operate both efficiently and effectively.”
A trench-based triumph
Positioned approximately three metres from the house, the heat pumps were connected via a trench extending from the front of the property, running along to its opposite side before going to the plant room in the cellar. Everloc male adaptors were used to connect a lead-in bend in the trench, to two 18m lengths of 40mm Duo Rauvitherm. Combined with Everloc compression technology and heat shrink shrouds, Rehau was able to provide a reliable, leak-tight system using Rauvitherm PE-Xa pipes. The flexibility of the pipework also allowed the team to easily navigate the trench under an access bridge that went into a small opening in the cellar wall, preserving the building exterior’s overall aesthetic.
Low carbon, high performance
The system meant Renewable Planet could provide a low-carbon, high-performance heating system that did not obstruct the home’s views and outlook. This sustainable solution was implemented without compromising on the property’s appearance or local planning policies encouraging low-carbon solutions, while also allowing for an effective and efficient system.
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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