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retrofit briefing Technologhy4Change

Published by BRE Trust

Innovation to insulate the solid walled home while you wait

14/11/2010

New 'kit' approach is aiming for 24-hour turnaround from survey to fit.

The Sustainable Energy Academy and contractor United House have developed a new process using laser measurement technology to help make it easier to insulate solid walled homes internally without decanting occupants.

The six-part process called WHISCERS (Whole House In-Situ Carbon Energy Reduction Solution) is the subject of an international patent application. It comprises:

  • Measuring the internal dimensions of a room by laser scanner
  • The digital data being downloaded to a factory-based off-site cutting machines
  • The machine cuts the insulation boards to match the walls perfectly. Software optimises the cut to minimise wastage.
  • Cut boards are marked with dwelling address, wall position and orientation.
  • Boards are delivered to site as a kit of parts.
  • Boards are fitted to walls with minimum noise, mess and disruption. A room can be fitted with insulation board in two hours.

John Doggart, chairman of the Sustainable Energy Academy, said: "We have developed WHISCERS to be faster, better and cheaper than conventional insulating systems." Alistair Sivill, eco refurbishment manager at United House, said:  "The aim is to develop a standard process to deliver a 24-hour turnaround from survey to fit."

WHISCERS is being trialled on the eco-refurbishment of a three-storey Victorian terraced house in Camden, north London, as part of the Technology Strategy Board's Retrofit for the Future competition. The Camden project is the result of a partnership between United House, Sustainable Energy Academy, Parity Projects, Camden Council and the National Energy Foundation.

The residents - a family with three young children - remained in their home throughout the retrofitting works, which included:

  • Knauf PolyfoamTM XPS extruded polystyrene internal wall insulation to external walls. U value 0.21 W/m2K.
  • Pilkington vacuum glazed windows/new sashes. U value 1.8.
  • Vent Axia heat recovery ventilation unit.
  • 8 m2 solar photovoltaic panels (generating 1.1 kWp electric power).
  • 8 m2 solar thermal panels for water heating.
  • Dual coil solar cylinder.
  • High performance front and back doors. U values 3.0 and 2.2 respectively.
  • Draft proof seal to loft hatch.
  • Loft space insulated with mineral wool roll. U value 0.13.
  • Humidity sensors fitted throughout.
  • Deck mounted low flush shower, bath, WC and basin suite.

The internal wall insulation, combined with low-carbon techniques, is expected to deliver a 77 per cent carbon reduction. Measures installed in the home are expected to reduce fuel bills for residents by nearly £600 a year.

Parity Projects is providing energy modelling for the project and a whole-house monitoring system will measure performance of the energy saving elements over two years.  The project team also identified a number of lifestyle habits for residents so they can contribute to the overall low energy performance of the house, which will help Camden Council to pass on lessons to its residents.

/ Comments

Absolutely fantastic! Congratulations John Doggart and Parity projects. It is an idea that has been brewing in all our minds and you have got on and done it!!

Please send further details ASAP as we have [a] a mailing list of over 300 who came to our Open House where according to John’s colleague we have achieved a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions; [b] We are doing a presentation at the Guild Hall in Bath in January.
Ozzie

posted by Ozzie ffield , 15/11/2010

Apart from the use of sophisticated laser survey and CAM technologies in the off-site preparation of the insulation boards the initiative does not seem to address any of the other issues that one is confronted with when retrofitting a thermal laminate. ie.removal and reinstatement of skirtings, picture rails & decorative plaster coves, making-good defective plaster, uneven substrates, moving electrical sockets, radiators, joinery around the windows etc etc?. But don’t let that put you off !

posted by anonymous , 20/11/2010

Lazer measuring??? A bit over the top!
Each project throws up a different challenge and the approach should be tailored to suit.
I agree with anonymous, we are now on our 5th retrofit of similar structures to the above mentioned and not one room has been a straightforward cut and fit of board. What about cold spots between floors? thermal bridging around window reveals? damp courses etc etc.
The secret lies in tool box talks for all trades on the job so that they are aware of why they are doing things.They all know how to build ,wire ,plumb and plaster etc however they are not aware of why we must achieve air tightness and combat thermal bridging and cold spots.
When the operatives are educated on why, they will produce the product enthusiastically.

posted by martin chandler , 9/12/2010

Please give more details on the boards: is it polystyrene trapped between two surfaces or polystyrene that is then covered with plasterboard? How does this hold up against fire regulations? I know polystyrene melts and is particularly nasty in fires.

posted by Nita Soliar , 15/2/2011

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