Initital findings of Technology Strategy Board (TSB) Retrofit projects (as presented at Retro-Expo 2012)
I have written about Retro-Expo elsewhere and to keep both posts brief, this is a separate blog about the initial findings of the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) retrofit projects and its database ‘Embed’.
Initial findings of the TSB Retrofit for the Future projects were presented, though none of it particularly surprising, and include the following:
It was also timely to hear from Geoffrey Stevens at the Energy Savings Trust (EST) and Paul Ruyssevelt (TSB/UCL) about what promises to be a fantastic resource in the Embed database with around 300 retrofit projects and their 5 minute interval monitoring data, which researchers will be able to download (and upload to) directly. The Embed database includes TSB Retrofit for The Future and EST solid wall projects as well as other cases and it is my understanding the database would also include TSB findings from structured interviews with occupants.
Unfortunately analysis of the data is delayed but the EST promised access will be available within the next 6 months. I have also since been told by the EST that they will be able to release data to researchers on NDA basis (Non Disclosure Agreement) which means that they would need to review the use of any data prior to publication (contact: embed@est.org.uk).
While the Embed database will clearly be a useful resource, its success will depend on the simultaneous declaration of related research methods, measuring instrument specifications and data collection details to allow appropriate analysis and comparison, particularly relevant as different databases will be combined.
Most of the available data will be energy use, renewable energy production, internal room temperatures and relative humidity and air quality (CO2), but probably not any monitoring of fabric performance as this was not generally undertaken. This is a somewhat missed opportunity as many seminars and the STBA report raised issues of lack of data and research in this area, as also discussed here.
UPDATED LINKS 2015: REPORT and EMBED access here to data and TSB data here.
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Initial findings of the TSB Retrofit for the Future projects were presented, though none of it particularly surprising, and include the following:
- Difficult to get it right: some significant reductions were achieved with pre-retrofit average air-tightness of 10 m3/m2hr and post-retrofit on average <6 m3/m2hr, though some projects achieved worse airtightness post-retrofit (why this occurred is being looked at). It is difficult to get thermal bridging, insulation and air-tightness 100% right, but 80%+ CO2 reductions are possible.
- Thermography before and after retrofit was shown to be useful to flag up particular weak points.
- MVHR installation was in some cases problematic and not always installed correctly. Properties with MVHR had often higher electricity use than before. Occupants also complained of noise or draughts and complex controls to manage it.
- Occupant feedback: Majority of occupants are positive or very positive about the retrofit dwelling particularly related to thermal comfort. However, post-retrofit a greater proportion of occupants (30%) felt they had no good understanding of controls (versus 10% pre-retrofit). Simple controls and explanation of equipment are clearly essential.
- User manuals & information: there is an increased risk of providing wrong information and it appeared that the maintenance team did not necessarily know correct operation either. Complex manuals are no good and commissioning advice is crucial without information overload.
- Internal insulation: occupants were unhappy about loss of space; but understood the benefits.
- Occupant engagement: where people were engaged in the process and with the team, they felt they had more knowledge and control. (which ofcourse new occupants do not benefit from in future)
It was also timely to hear from Geoffrey Stevens at the Energy Savings Trust (EST) and Paul Ruyssevelt (TSB/UCL) about what promises to be a fantastic resource in the Embed database with around 300 retrofit projects and their 5 minute interval monitoring data, which researchers will be able to download (and upload to) directly. The Embed database includes TSB Retrofit for The Future and EST solid wall projects as well as other cases and it is my understanding the database would also include TSB findings from structured interviews with occupants.
Unfortunately analysis of the data is delayed but the EST promised access will be available within the next 6 months. I have also since been told by the EST that they will be able to release data to researchers on NDA basis (Non Disclosure Agreement) which means that they would need to review the use of any data prior to publication (contact: embed@est.org.uk).
While the Embed database will clearly be a useful resource, its success will depend on the simultaneous declaration of related research methods, measuring instrument specifications and data collection details to allow appropriate analysis and comparison, particularly relevant as different databases will be combined.
Most of the available data will be energy use, renewable energy production, internal room temperatures and relative humidity and air quality (CO2), but probably not any monitoring of fabric performance as this was not generally undertaken. This is a somewhat missed opportunity as many seminars and the STBA report raised issues of lack of data and research in this area, as also discussed here.
UPDATED LINKS 2015: REPORT and EMBED access here to data and TSB data here.
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