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Research
Retrofit tips
Roof windows/ sun tunnels
Roof windows are an easy and effective way to bring natural light into a habitable
space where there is a pitched or flat roof.
Gaps between the window frame and rafter/trimmers should be filled with PIR
insulation or proprietary insulation collars such as the Velux BDX.
Windows should be secured in place using supplied fixing tabs screwed to
doubled up rafters and trimmers. Ensure you have the correct flashing type to Roof window
suit the chosen roof coverings.
Sun tunnels are an easy and very effective way to bring natural light into a
concealed space where natural light is not normally possible, such as hallways
and bathrooms, reducing the need for artificial light. Sun tunnels can be installed
on both pitched and flat roofs and help improve the daylighting within a home.
Sun tunnel collectors should be installed in a position that receives the largest
quantity of direct sunlight.
Sun tunel
http://www.sustainablebuildingsolutions.co.uk/solution-data-sheets/roof-windows
Green wall
Positive drainage throughout the system keep plantings in optimal growing conditions at both the bottom and the top
of what may be a several stories tall planting. A long term, lightweight planting medium that is not subject to
deterioration through decomposition.
http://www.sustainablebuildingsolutions.co.uk/solution-data-sheets/green-wall-system
fixings per board are installed through the insulation into the solid brickwork. The
insulation is made watertight and robust with one to two layers of reinforcing mesh
embedded with two layers of base coat. The desired finish is then applied. Around
reveals, sills and heads, affix 30mm of insulation, then apply the render finish. This
will reduce any possibility of thermal bridging.
http://www.sustainablebuildingsolutions.co.uk/solution-data-sheets/externalwall-insulation-flexible-bostik
Solar thermal
PV
Solar thermal
a refrigerant cycle that converts it into higher temperatures for use within the home. The heat is collected via means
of a loop array that may be placed in a trench (c.1m deep). GSHPs can also be used for summer cooling.
A horizontal closed loop field is composed of pipes
that run horizontally in the ground. A long
horizontal trench, deeper than the frost line, is dug
and U-shaped or slinky coils are placed horizontally
inside the same trench. Horizontal loops tend to be
more cost effective to install.
A vertical closed loop field is composed of pipes
that run vertically down into the ground. A hole is
bored in the ground, typically 25150m deep. Two
pipes (pipe pairs) in the hole are joined with a Ushaped cross connector at the bottom, forming a
continuous loop. The borehole is commonly filled Horizontal
with a grout surrounding the pipe to provide a
thermal connection to the surrounding soil or rock
to improve heat transfer. Thermally enhanced
grouts are available to improve this heat transfer.
Grout also protects the ground water from
contamination and prevents artesian wells from
flooding the property. Vertical loop fields are
typically used when there is a limited area of land
available. Bore holes are spaced at least 57m apart
and the depths depend on ground characteristics
(which dictate the ability of the ground to generate
heat) and building characteristics (which dictates
Vertical (winter and summer use)
the heating requirement itself).
Once installed the GSHPs offer a reliable and low cost form of heating requiring only relatively small amounts of
electricity to drive the pumps. Heat pumps aim to supply a constant temperature to buildings. They initially heat the
building and then top-up any heat loss on a constant flow basis.
Mostly, the heat absorbed is solar heat stored in the surface of the earth but at depth, it is likely to be a mixture of
solar and planetary heat. For the majority of GSHP implementation stored solar heat is the major heat source.
This heat is then passed onto the heat pump unit, which compresses the liquid further (the Law of Thermodynamics)
creating an even hotter liquid, which is then used to heat the water in the buffer tank. This heat can then be transferred
to radiators and under-floor heating systems, as well as being used to heat domestic hot water.
The length of the ground loop array depends on the heat demand the building, its energy performance and the subsurface ground conditions.
The pump will still need electricity to run, but the idea is that it uses less electrical energy than the heat it produces.
This is called the co-efficient of performance (COP).
Water
Grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting
Grey water recycling within domestic homes is the process of taking used water from showers, baths and wash hand
basins, filtering it and storing the filtered water for re-use in flushing toilets, watering gardens and running washing
machines. Grey water recycling systems can be connected in with rainwater harvesting systems to further reduce the
use of potable water in situations where it is not needed around the home.
There are many different systems for grey water
recycling varying from ones that are located
underground like rainwater harvesting and collect
water from the whole house, to ones that can be
located in a single bathroom and collect water from just
that bathroom to feed the toilet.
Rainwater harvesting fits in with the Codes for
Sustainable Homes in achieving reductions in use of
potable water which cannot realistically be achieved
through water efficiency measures alone. It is
estimated that up to 50% of domestic water
requirements do not need to be of a potable quality.
Harvested water can be used for flushing toilets,
watering gardens and even used in washing machines.
Where possible install a gravity system which requires
a header tank to be installed in the loft area which feeds
from both the harvested water and the mains supply the mains supply will only be used in the event of the rainwater running out. The advantage of this system is that it
still works if there is a power cut or pump failure.
If it is not possible to install a gravity system, such as in a property with a habitable roof, then a direct system should
be installed. This system requires a mains supply feed back to the harvesting tank that is controlled by a solenoid valve
in order to keep the system running when there is no rainwater left in the tank.
Grey water recycling can reduce water drainage by up to 30% earning valuable points on the Code for Sustainable
Homes. The systems are easy to install and are often maintenance free so they are a fit and forget system. Rainwater
Harvesting has an underground storage tank that should be installed on a concrete plinth and then encased in concrete
to ensure the water table doesnt lift the tank out of the ground when there is no water inside. Ensure the pipework
feeds from the rainwater harvesting tank to the inside of the house is installed with black and green striped pipework,
so it is not mistaken for a blue mains water pipe. Water usage is 125 litres per person per day.
http://www.sustainablebuildingsolutions.co.uk/solution-data-sheets/grey-water-recycling-and-rainwater-harvesting
Shower save
Showersave is a maintenance free, simple to install, cost
effective waste water heat recovery system (WWHR). There
are now in excess of 20,800 systems installed within UK and
Holland. We are already selling into some of the UKs largest
house builders.
The system is likely to pay for itself within 4 years, a
significantly
better
return
than
any
other
sustainable/renewable product. The system achieves
almost the same benefit to householders as a solar thermal
panel at 30% of the initial cost, with no ongoing
maintenance, or need to support with a customer service
team.
http://www.sustainablebuildingsolutions.co.uk/solution-data-sheets/shower-save
Materials
Whats the best insulation material to use in eco
renovation
Material which is loose and which comes in rolls, like
cellulose and glass wool, is used in lofts and flat areas
predominantly. Batts and slabs can be used there but also
used vertically on the inside or outside. Rockwool is
commonly used on the outside, but so are woodfibre batts.
Generally a render over the top of the insulation material
protects it from the weather.
The preferred render from an environmental point of view is lime, since
it is breathable, and my personal favourite system for this is called Steico
Protect, which is easy for any plasterer to apply and is available, like many
of my favourite products from Ecomerchant, a trading style of Burdens
Ltd.
The level of insulation is ideally determined by the U-value of the overall
building element when the work is completed. Thats how the Building
Regs and Energy Performance Certificates quantify it. The precise
amount depends upon not just the insulation you use, but other
materials present in the wall, floor, ceiling, door etc, such as timber,
brickwork, concrete, metal and plastic. Look at the relationship between
the thermal conductivity of any material (the k-value) and its heat
transfer (the U-value) properties.
U-value
The U-value is the ratio of the temperature difference across an insulant
and the heat flow per unit area through it. The lower the number the
better the insulant. To compare two insulants with different thickness
and thermal conductivity, it is necessary to calculate the U-value for each.
U-value is described in watts per square metre Kelvin (W/(m2K), or the
amount of energy lost in watts per square metre of material for a given
temperature difference of 1C or 1K from one side of the material to the
other.
Sustainable
Materials which contain glue might contain formaldehyde which can offgas and cause indoor air pollution with attendant potential health
problems.
The net climatic effect of building insulation is the sum of the greenhouse
gas emissions associated with the energy used in manufacturing (its
embodied energy) plus the leakage into the atmosphere during use of
any (halocarbon: significant, or pentane, less so) expanding agents that
have a greenhouse effect, minus the emissions saved due to energy
saved as a result of the insulation (which is zero if renewable energy is used for heating/cooling that would not have
been used elsewhere).
Determined by the embodied carbon (kgCO2e) emitted during manufacture, minus any sequestered carbon per cubic
metre of material. All of the materials at the top with a negative figure are made from natural materials which have
absorbed carbon from the atmosphere while they were growing.
Performance
Summary
Use as much insulation as you can afford and you have
space for
Use insulation from natural materials wherever possible,
in preference to polystyrene and other fossil-derived
insulants
Avoid the use of foams wherever possible (improperly used these can expand and cause structural damage)
For lofts, use Warmcel recycled cellulose
For exterior insulation use wood fibreboard with wood fibre tongue and groove cladding and lime render; or
Woodwool/Rockwool with lime render.
Concrete
Polished concrete is an unlikely sustainable material that is gaining in
popularity. If it is polished and tinted to the homeowners taste and style there
is no need for traditional flooring to be put over it. From creating a tiled effect
with different colors to inlaying other materials such as glass the design
possibilities are endless. Concrete is extremely durable, easy to clean and
never needs to be replaced.
Polished concrete
Wool Carpet
Carpet has typically been made using volatile organic compounds or toxins that
are harmful to the environment and to our health. There are eco-friendly
options though. Consider carpets made of wool. Wool is a natural resource
spun into a thread that can be dyed any color imaginable, and then be woven
to create a carpet. It is one of the first materials to be used as a floor covering,
is very durable and can last centuries. Other natural materials used to make
carpets or rugs are sisal, jute and cotton.
Wool Carpet
P.E.T Berber Carpet
Polyester (P.E.T) Berber is another sustainable carpet to consider. It is made of
recycled plastic bottles, and has a minimal impact to the environment. There
are several benefits to this recycled material. It is durable, spill resistant and
comes in a variety of aesthetically pleasing colors and patterns. It typically has
a flecked appearance making it suitable to most color schemes. There are
drawbacks too. Berber can be easily snagged causing it to unravel if not
repaired promptly. The recycled material can be a little rough to walk on in
Berber Carpet
your bare feet.
Rubber
Rubber flooring made from recycled tires is usually found at the local gym or
on the neighborhood playground. It is slowly finding its way into our kitchens,
sunrooms and bathrooms as a versatile, beautiful and lasting option. It is great
to walk on and water resistant. It also comes in many color and pattern
options.
Rubber
Leather
It is derived from the center-most part of the cowhide and is thicker than the
leather pieces used for such things as belts, wallets and handbags. The soft
warm feel under foot makes it perfect for bedrooms, closets and small areas
with little foot traffic. It is not a great material for bathrooms, kitchens or other
moist areas of a home. It is very durable and will wear well over time. Worn,
scratched and aged leather develops a personality of its own and can be
beautiful to look at for years to come.
Reclaimed Hardwood
There are two types of hard wood to consider. Reclaimed wood is ideal as it
reuses existing wood from trees that were chopped down a long, long time ago.
Salvaged wood flooring can look beautiful in older homes or in a beach cottage.
The other option is to purchase hardwood labeled FSC certified. This is a
designation by the Forest Stewardship Council and they promote the
responsible management of forests throughout the world with a focus on
adhering to high social and environmental standards.
Leather
Wood
http://freshome.com/2012/10/15/10-most-popular-eco-friendly-floor-solutions/
Typical household paint contains up to 10,000 chemicals, of which 300 are known toxins and 150 have been linked to
cancer [source: Chadderdon, Grafman]. Some of the most harmful chemicals found in paint are volatile organic
compounds, or VOCs.
VOCs are unstable, carbon-containing compounds that readily vaporize into the air. When they enter the air, they
react with other elements to produce ozone, which causes air pollution and a host of health issues including breathing
problems, headache, burning, watery eyes and nausea.
http://freshome.com/2012/10/25/10-eco-friendly-ways-to-renovate-your-home/
http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/construction/materials/low-voc-paint.htm
Another more established use for straw is as a roofing material. The types of straw
used in thatching may need to be sourced from further a field than bale-building blocks, as they are not as widely
farmed in the required way in the UK anymore. But there are other types of reed thatching that can still be found
locally if need be.
Green Roofs
Where varying quantities of vegetation can be planted on your roof to replace some
of the ecology your house was built upon, or solar harvesting roofs. Solar panels
have come a long way since their invention some years ago, having now developed
to the point where you can buy tiles with an integrated solar collection capacity for
increased aesthetic value. The downside of solar roofing in the UK is that our
climate can not always be trusted to make them worthwhile.
Wattle and daub
When it comes to wall building, there has recently been resurgence in wattle and Wattle and daub
daub construction (a technique pioneered centuries ago). But if you are looking for
something a little more modern, with considerable insulating properties, structural
insulated panels (SIPs) might be the way to go. Well established on the continent
and in the USA, SIPs can be used to make walls and floors and allow for extremely
quick construction. They can be made from polystyrene sandwiched between two
"sterling" boards (made from wood particles), but straw can replace the polystyrene
for maximum environmental-friendliness.
http://www.homeprotect.co.uk/home-insurance-articles/renovation/eco-friendly- Structural insulated panels (SIPs)
building-materials
Cases of study
Eco-Sustainable House / Djuric Tardio Architectes
The delays in securing permits, along with
conditions of the urban situation and our desire
to continue and refine our own research on wood
constructions, led us to propose a type of
construction system. This type is still not released
in urban areas and rather reserved for detached
houses in less dense sites. The urban rules and the
site context, which is very typical, have suggested
the template, which has proved a real asset to the
project.
Completely built in wood panels placed on a
pedestal (the ground here is very bad), the house
is completely prefabricated in a workshop and
delivered to the site to be finally assembled in just
two weeks. This is a building system in Finnish
wood panels that come from sustainably
managed cooperatives of small private forest
owners.
The pre-cut panels, supplemented by wood fibre insulation and non-treated siding, arrived at the site almost finished,
reducing pollution to a minimum (the site being located in a dense suburb). The faades, in wood panels too, were
mounted along the floor. With a very efficient exterior insulation system which completely allows the elimination of
thermal bridges, wood construction has
the advantage to make the building very
powerful.
The under-floor gas-fired heating with low
temperature becomes almost superfluous.
The double-glazed + argon windows of the
patios and the South faades, deliberately
oversized, capture the sun in winter and
are sheltered by a canopy and a pergola in
summer. This allows together with their
performance and surface, an easy control
of the solar gain and air flow as needed, without
necessitating an intensive use of air conditioning or
heating.
The main facade on the street, lodging the rooms in the
North, is a composition of large glazed openings and
single opening shutters designed in stainless steel
mirror with no glazing. The reflections of the
vegetation and the movement of these shutters in
stainless steel mirrors make the faade changing.
The ventilation of the rooms is regulated by the openings of the shutters, and the penetration of light through the
windows. The recovery of rainwater can water the garden and planters allow homeowners to cultivate aromatic plants
and garden without water over-consumption.
http://www.archdaily.com/227288/eco-sustainable-house-djuric-tardio-architectes/
http://www.archdaily.com/289503/para-eco-house-tongji-university-team/