Launched on 6 October, Phase One of the Victorian Terrace retrofit project is the result of a BRE, Government and industry partnership aimed at generating best practice knowledge of the most effective ways of upgrading existing solid wall dwellings so that they are highly energy efficient and affordable to heat, emit less carbon and meet the requirements of the UK’s ageing population.
The project involves the transformation of a Victorian building (on the BRE site in Watford) with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of F, into a row of Victorian terraced dwellings that are B rated. Under Phase One, the whole exterior of the building has been renovated, and the first two units have been retrofitted with a range of both conventional and innovative products** which will be tested in the coming months to generate valuable performance data. Phase two of the project will involve the development of two further units in the row that will use a range of different products and materials that are new or near to market.
Major capital funding for the project has come from the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC).
Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: ‘It’s vital we learn as much as we can about how to make Victorian terraced houses more energy efficient, as this is a common type of housing. Under the Government’s Green Deal we will be making it easier for householders to install insulation by removing the upfront costs and providing quality-assured improvements. The practical knowledge gained from this project will be extremely valuable as we set out on the biggest overhaul of home energy efficiency in history.’
As well as the focus on carbon reduction and energy efficiency, the project also factors in the effects of climate change on homes and the requirements that future properties will have in supporting our ageing demographic: by 2050, 50% of the population will be senior citizens.
The project is launched at a crucial time for homeowners who are faced with escalating energy costs that show no sign of abating – if current fossil fuel-based price trends continue, the average household energy bill could nudge £5,000 a year by 2020, with huge implications for the four million UK households currently suffering fuel poverty.
Chief Executive of BRE, Dr Peter Bonfield commented ‘The UK’s existing housing stock currently achieves an average EPC rating of D/E, with more than five million homes managing only F/G. To achieve these emission reduction targets, the average EPC rating for all housing will have to be upgraded to a band B or better, a level currently achieved by only 1-2% of homes. The Victorian Terrace will act as a laboratory test bed from which we will create an evidence base of knowledge and guidance that can be accessed by the construction industry, stakeholders and householders to deliver a step change in the roll out of sustainable housing refurbishment fit for future generations.’
The Victorian Terrace will undergo an intensive programme of testing and monitoring to establish the impacts of this work, from which a series of refurbishment specifications will be developed. They will consist of a programme of sequential improvements, each being considered in terms of its CO2 savings and payback periods, so that the property owners can make informed decisions on improvements to their homes tailored to their individual budgets.
The results of the project will be widely disseminated through the National Refurbishment Centre in 2011 to increase awareness of the benefits of low carbon retrofit solutions, help develop the skills base needed for undertaking the work, and foster the development of a more coherent market for this work.
In addition, the Victorian Terrace project links to more than 450 exemplar refurbishment homes of varying types and ages around the country, test results from which will also feed into the new specifications, monitoring protocols and best practice guidance
Once launched, the Victorian Terrace will be open to the construction industry and householders to come and view it and apply best practice knowledge gained to their own projects and homes.
National Refurbishment Centre is a strategic partnership between the BRE Trust, the Energy Saving Trust and industry partners to enable the practical delivery of green retrofit through a national demonstration initiative. www.rethinkingrefurbishment.com
BRE News: LINK
Cornerstone Magazine Article (Vol. 31, No.3 2010, P. 61): LINK
