Welcome to the Home Group (NW) Retrofit for the Future Blog

The idea behind this blog is to allow people to learn, share and record the experiences of all those involved within the project. The project is part of the Retrofit for the Future competition funded by the Technology Strategy Board. 

The idea is to design and implement ways of reducing energy usage, and therefore carbon emission of an existing house by 80% based on 1990 average emission rates. The strategy is to take a whole house approach and to look at virtually that contributes to energy usage within the dwelling. Innovative and renewable technologies include

Vacupor Vacuum Insulation Panels to both walls and floors . New extension using fully completed off-site modular construction. EnviroLogic Controls for monitoring and heating controls etc. EnviroDoors Triple glazed windows Solar PV Solar thermal Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery

Work has commenced at the site. The roof, of both the retrofit propert and the house next door has been replaced - see the picture below

The old sand and cement render has been removed ready for the Vacupor Vacuum Insulation Panels to be applied tot he exterior of the building.

The new modular extension is under construction in the EnviroHomes factory. This will be craned onto the rear of the property and will contain the kitchen and bathroom. The walls and roof will be insulated to 0.12 W/m2K

Work has started in earnest on the inside of the property now. The ground floor has been taken up this in preparation for the Vacupor Vaccum Insulation Panels to be laid under the new concrete to give a U-value of 0.18. The advantage of using Vacuum Insulation Panels is that a high insulation can be achieved without having to remove any spoil.

Several of the properties adjacent to ours have been demolished to improve the general area. This has meant that the 'flying' bathroom, an addition from the 1970's has gone. This is the reason the extension is being fitted to the rear of the property. It will provide a kitchen and bathroom extension

We have broken a new opening in from the living room into what will be the new kitchen diner. This will include a large glazed area on the internal wall so that the room is still filled with natual light. This will mean that the electric lighting in this room will not be required so frequently.

Upstairs the two rear bedroom windows have had to be altered. These have had to be shortened to allow the roof of the new modular extension to fit to the house correctly. Whilst this will reduce slightly the amount of natural light entering these two rooms this will not be detremental. In addition it means that a good pitched roof can be put onto the extension rather than a flat roof - which is far better or security reasons.

The Vacupor Vacuum Insulation Panels have been laid to the ground floor - these have been temporarily protected with a foam layer.

Mesh has been laid over this and the floor is ready to have the new concrete laid.

You will see the vertical insulation laid up the wall at the floor level  to stop cold bridging

The modular extension continues to be constructed and is currently being insulated. There will another layer of insulation to go on the inside of the structure. Following that Fermacell boards will be used to give a final lining to the module.

First fix electrics and plumbing has started - it feels like the house is starting to come back to life again!!

The new timber triple glazed windows have been fitted. these were manufactured in our own joiners shop because of delivery timescales with the original suppliers.

These have been made to be a straight replacement, in style, for the existing plastic double glazed units

Work continues a pace on the modular extension

The walls have had the original render removed and have been prepared for the external vacupor Vacuum Insulation panels. We will be using Vacupor PS10-10 on this project.

The solar PV has been fitted to the roof. This has an installed capacity of 1.0kWp. Its not ideal in orientation because it faces just south of west

Its a great day the modular extension has arrived and was craned into place in less than half an hour.

As you can see it came with everything in it and ready to go - only the external render to finish. We were pleased with the installation dispite the weather being awful!!

Another milestone day! the Vacupor PS10/10 vacuum insulation panels are starting to go on. These are external insulation and will mean that the overall thickness of the wall will be increased by only approx. 15mm. This means there will be little difference in the junction between this property and next door.

Careful attention to the detailing around the revels etc has been considered and panels made especially for these places.

The solar thermal panels to assist the combi-gas boiler are in place. The system is being piped up and will soon be making hot water

The house is nearing completion. The upstairs is now virtually decorated. You can see in this photo the temperature, humdiity and CO2 combined instrument for the monitoring system there is one of these in every habitable room.

The solar is now being filled. We will build a cupboard around it to "hide" it when it is finally commissioned

The finished article!! Only the tenant to move in and then to go through the training of how to get the best from all the items fitted to the property

The picture below shows the small step in the facade between the two adjoining houses