As key sponsors of the Great British Refurb Campaign, Knauf
Insulation has supplied its Internal Wall Insulation (IWI) system,
Loft Roll 44 and Space Blanket as part of a low-carbon refurbishment
of a Victorian house in Manchester.
The house was shortlisted for the refurbishment by Knauf Insulation
and WWF-UK, to coincide with the Conservative Party conference in
Manchester, to showcase the energy efficiency levels and reduction
in carbon emissions that can be achieved. The home is expected to
see reductions in CO2 of 1.15 tonnes per annum, and financial
savings (through reduced energy bills) of around £170 per annum, if
financed under a ‘Green Deal’ type scheme, proposed by the
Conservative Party, without the financial outlay from the homeowner.
The house was selected due to the escaping heat from the hard to
treat external solid walls, which were ideally suited to Knauf
Insulation’s IWI system - a highly cost effective method for
achieving increased energy efficiency for any type of property,
whilst maintaining the exterior appearance of the building.
The innovative glass mineral wool system for internal insulation has
been designed for upgrading existing solid external walls quickly
and easily, with minimum disruption to occupants – a key benefit for
this project. Dyson Insulation contractors installed the IWI system
to the solid external wall in the kitchen and upstairs front
bedroom. The system consists of composite thermally engineered studs
and insulation slabs, which can be combined to provide greater
depths of thermal insulation than achievable by using a single
thickness. The simplicity of the IWI system allows a competent
builder to install and finish the system using dry lining techniques
or a traditional plaster skim finish.
To increase thermal efficiencies within the loft, 200mm Loft Roll 44
was installed to top up the existing 100mm insulation to recommended
levels. The loft hatch also benefited from insulation as well as a
seal around the hatch, eliminating any cold areas and draughts.
Knauf Insulation’s Loft Roll 44 is a low density glass mineral wool
roll, which is lightweight, flexible, resilient and non-combustible.
Knauf Insulation was also able to solve the problem of cold air
seeping up from the cellar by supplying 200mm Space Blanket
insulation, friction fitted between the floor joists. A plastic wire
meshing was fixed under the insulation, to ensure a tight and secure
fit, insulating the floor beneath the living room and the front
hallway in the cellar. Space Blanket is a premium ‘encapsulated’
glass mineral wool product, containing a part metallised polythene
film that reflects heat and makes it extra easy and comfortable to
install – with minimal mess for the homeowner and installer.
In addition to the extra insulation, pipe lagging, draught proofing
and low energy efficiency lighting, a remote thermostat to control
the boiler was fitted into the property helping to control heat and
gas usage and dramatically reduce the energy consumption.
Rebecca Williams, homeowner explains: “The refurbishment has been so
successful in terms of being a quick and simple process – with
minimal disruption to our daily lives, as well as helping to
significantly reduce the heat that was previously escaping through
the solid walls, the cold air coming up from the cellar and high
energy bills.”
Phil Rigby at Knauf Insulation, comments: “There are plenty of
simple steps that can be taken to improve energy efficiency levels
and reduce carbon emissions, in any type of property. With the
majority of a building’s heat escaping through the external fabric,
it is imperative to have efficient insulation levels to maxmise
energy efficiencies and reduce heating bills in the long run.”
Kevin McCloud, presenter for Channel 4’s Grand Designs is
spearheading the Great British Refurb Campaign and since its launch
in April this year, has already earned the support of leading
Government figures and thousands of British homeowners. It is hoped
the new plans unveiled by the Conservatives will tackle carbon
emissions from properties and help homeowners reduce their energy
bills. The Conservatives’ ‘Green Deal’ acknowledges the urgent need
to reduce emissions from the housing sector, and will make
low-carbon refurbishment more accessible for the majority of
households.
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