Retrofit homes for the future

HHP aims to deliver 80% cuts in carbon emissions from two homes in Newark using low tech durable solutions including insulation, passive solar heating, and community renewable energy.

Follow our progress here

The homes

HHP is demonstrating its low tech approach to energy efficiency on two council houses in Newark. This project is part of a nationwide Retrofit for the Future programme for social housing which aims to address the challenge of making existing homes more energy efficient.

The pair of properties was built in the 1950s. They are a Wimpey ‘no-fines’ concrete construction, two of 300,000 similar properties around the country. Traditional energy efficiency measures such as double-glazing, an energy-efficient boiler, and loft insulation have already been installed. However, the properties still have a relatively high heating demand, with an average annual energy use of 44,000 kWh (costing approximately £2000).

The homes were chosen as one of the pair was void. The residents of the other house were keen to take part, even though this means temporarily leaving their home of 40 years.

The homes are managed by Newark and Sherwood Homes, on behalf of Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Win win win?

A solution for such a common form of social housing could help deliver Government goals for:

Energy security

Carbon emissions

Fuel poverty

Design requirements

HHP aims to help property owners achieve significant energy savings, develop comfortable homes and get good value for money. The design for the properties also had to deliver the following ‘customer’ requirements:

Low maintenance

Ease of use and low cost for tenants

80% (or more) CO2 reduction

Budget up to £150,000 per house

Completion by end 2010

The solution

HHP’s design meets these requirements, and more:

Cost: £75,000 per house (relatively high as this is a prototype)

Carbon savings: 94% CO2 savings

Energy bills down from £2,000 to £500

Timeline: completion by October 2010

The design favours low tech solutions over expensive technology:

Retrofitted, fully-insulated cavity walls

Underfloor and loft insulation

Passive solar heating, topped up with electric convector heaters

Shares in a local community-owned wind turbine

Risks remain, including:

Quality of the original structure

Calculations of the benefits of the thermal mass and solar passive heating solution

Subsequent resident behaviour

These will be managed and monitored through the build and monitoring phases.