THE GREAT BRITISH REFURB AT WORK - 26.7.10
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.
For further information on Knauf Insulation
please visit www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
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