INSULATION


FABRIC-FIRST: A ROUTE TO ZERO CARBON


The ‘fabric-first’ approach will remain the most direct route to achieving our Net Zero target, as well as compliance with the energy performance requirements of Building Regulations.


Before designating more expensive renewables, the Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA) makes the case for a


high-performance building envelope, through thermally efficient insulation, improved detailing and maximum airtightness


R


ising energy costs coupled with government’s reluctance to commit to its manifesto promise


to build 300,000 homes per year has further exposed the huge challenge of our 2050 Net Zero commitment. Set against the Future Homes Standard and a revision to Part L of the Building Regulations, both of which have seen thermal performance requirements increase, we must now look at the bigger picture in order to futureproof homes and meet our climate change ambitions. The fabric-first approach to energy efficiency


ensures that a thermally insulated building envelope will achieve high performance, low maintenance, reduced energy bills and long-term energy efficiency. After all, it is the first line of defence against external stressors. However, getting the fabric right is the most important consideration as the basis of any design. A well-designed and insulated building fabric not only provides the benefits of energy reduction and better control of internal temperatures, it will keep the occupants warm in winter and cool in summer. With little or no maintenance, energy efficiency


is built into the building fabric for the life of the building. By reducing the total energy envelope of a building, the size and capacity of any bolt-on renewables can be reduced, which in turn will reduce capital and running costs. When energy demands are reduced to a low level, it is then possible to service those demands in the most efficient way. What is important


is not adding undue burdens in terms of the renewables’ running costs.


DETAILING AND JUNCTIONS During house design, taking the time on details is essential. For example, ensuring junctions are appropriately designed and constructed, as this makes a significant contribution to reducing heat loss. Responsible for up to 30% of a dwelling’s heat loss, thermal bridges occur at breaks in insulation at junctions and openings, causing heat loss which ultimately leads to a drop in internal temperature and an increased demand for heating. Good design and workmanship necessitates a proper level of quality assurance throughout design and construction, and good detailing is particularly important for new-build and retrofit projects alike. Designers and housebuilders must also consider


design decisions and aesthetic preferences such as dormers, as they can result in more complex thermal and construction detailing, which in turn can increase heat losses. In other words, the more complex the form and design, the more the detailing starts to matter. The key to the success of the fabric-first


approach is optimising build quality to ensure that the as-built performance matches the design performance. If the building is leaky and inefficient to begin with, there’s only so much the new technology can achieve.


THERMAL EFFICIENCY In terms of our existing housing stock, some improvements have been made over recent years and plenty of our draughty, leaky and inefficient homes are better than they were. But, we still have many homes that are woefully inadequate, with occupants and owners either unaware or unwilling to understand even the basic energy improvements that could and should be carried out. To make our housing stock better for the long-


term, we must achieve more thermally-efficient building envelopes, which in turn will result in more comfortable buildings. Getting the fabric of the building properly insulated should always be the starting point and this includes insulation such as high-performance PIR. It is a fundamental step in achieving the Net Zero target, as well as compliance with the energy performance requirements of the revised Building Regulations Part L. As we continue on our journey to Net Zero


2050, sorting out housing is one part of the mammoth task. But equally, the UK will need to rethink how it generates energy and rebuilds its energy systems to be more sustainable. Only then will we be able to achieve and make some headway to securing our climate change aims and address the global warming challenge.


IMA www.insulationmanufacturers.org.uk


www.essmag.co.uk


ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Winter 22/23


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