Old House - Super House
Launch of the Victorian Home of the Future >>
Russell Timber Technology are proud to have supplied High Performance Sustainable & Energy Efficient Secured by Design Doors & Windows to the groundbreaking experiment innovated by Camden Council at 17 St Augustine Road.
Camden Council & its partners have just refurbished this Victorian council house in a conservation area to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% whilst preserving our heritage. At the launch in September 08 workshops were held on the heritage issues, techniques and policy implications of turning existing homes into low energy homes.
Context >>
Existing houses are increasingly recognised as one of the key barriers to major reductions in CO2 emissions.This is especially true for the 4.4 million houses built before 1919, most of which will have twice the emissions of comparable houses built to current building regulations. However these houses play a pivotal role in defining the character and heritage of our neighbourhoods. The challenge of this project is to show that reducing emissions is compatible with the preservation of this heritage.In achieving this, it would show how Victorian and other period housing can be bequeathed to future generations so that they benefit from their heritage value without being burdened with the mill stone of high carbon.
Technologies >>
At the heart of this project is greatly increased insulation and air tightness. The "U" Values are about 20% lower than those required by the Building Regulations for new build. Initial air leakage was over 30 m3/m2hr; this has been significantly reduced to 6.2 m3/m2hr - well below that required by current regulations. In addition the house has local heat exchange ventilation, 6m2 of Solar Thermal and 3.5kWp of Solar PV. It is believed changes made to the house, which was built in 1850, could cut carbon emissions by up to 80 per cent.
The project has been assisted and monitored with Camden Council by the Sustainable Energy Academy, the National Energy Foundation and University College London. Monitoring the effects of greatly increased insulation and air tightness are resulting in constructive and reliable information for use by public bodies and individuals alike. Other cutting edge improvements to the property include:
- Floor roof and wall insulation at or approaching passive haus standards (external walls dry lined/ over clad)
- Windows that beat current building regulations by 35%
- Solar thermal power (6m2) and 3.5kWp solar PV
- Heat recovery ventilation
- Rainwater harvesting testing
Every Sunday until 12 October the house at 17 St Augustine's Road is open for free public tours so members of the public can see how the technology could transform their own home - cutting energy use, saving money on fuel bills and reducing their carbon footprint.
Russell Timber Technology are UK fore runners of energy efficient, air tight, security, sustainable, timber window and door products and have the ability to adapt products to improved specifications.Products comply with all levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Please contact our technical and estimating department on info@russelltimbertech.co.uk
