What's Green in Brum?

GUEST CONTRIBUTION FROM IAN GREENWOOD

This simple technical proposal has been proven in two full-scale tests on different jobs over two years to improve 10-fold the energy efficiency of walls. Deploying the system with results 4 times better than the current UK Building Regulations could bring micro renewable energy firmly into the realms of possible affordability, especially if incentives beyond current grant levels could be funded. In this way fast-tracking of thermal efficiency of existing buildings becomes possible and something approaching carbon neutrality achieved without replacing Britain’s Victorian housing stock and other buildings that have mainly solid walls (Office of Climate Change: 12.2 million houses).

AND 4 TIMES FASTER THAN DEMOLITION/REBUILD

By applying Triso Super insulation etc (that came in from France some years ago and rapidly became popular in loft conversions because of its ease of use) in a new situation on walls externally to Victorian and other housing the thermal mass efficiency of “hard-to-treat” houses can be harnessed trapping solar gain or energy from heating – summer cool “space-age” insulation. This simultaneously solves draught or condensation problems.

The process is so simple it can be understood by schoolchildren so should be more effective than some other innovations. Bypassing long lead-in times that require extensive research and development would be a huge advantage in current economic conditions. In this document we invite those in key positions to see for themselves. We have already contacted the Building Research Establishment. By placing “space-age” insulation externally a material such as Triso Super 10 (which is a series of foil layers separated by foam) can then be fixed between cross-battens screwed to existing poor quality brickwork, render or stucco or indeed any situation not visually as important as front elevations which are part of the precious heritage of the UK. By applying the system to side and rear walls however, the added value becomes immediately obvious. We used 18 mm vertical boarding which is maintenance-free (as accepted abroad) but the perimeter must be carefully sealed against air leakage and proper flashings on the upside.

If the overall carbon leakage from existing buildings can be halved and a similar exercise achieved in hot situations requiring air conditioning, then energy stress and fuel price rises could be made a thing of the past with knock-on positive effects throughout the economy – gas prices could be reduced if consumption came down a lot. Rapid deployment of these as emergency measures could also prevent the global economy going further towards free-fall and provide employment in Building –a form of fast-track regeneration! (without excess consumption)

Balancing any tax rises needed to fund these and other measures is important so other attachments herewith describe two innovative proposals to enable an energy sustainability offset. These can help tax-neutrality, protecting the vulnerable using a banking adjustment that is urgently necessary to stabilise inflation caused by excessive rewards to the finance sector. This could give industry a solid foundation for the future – see CMBA Treasury.

Althought the cost of these measures could be as low as £20 per sq metre DIY, for the general public scaffolding and professional expertise will require £100.00 per sq m say £10,000.00 for an average “semi” house. As this is beyond the savings power of many people we have suggested that with unity by the whole community (preferably global) government could pull us out of recession by adjusting credit money flow and make a just return to the producer nations by an Environmental Tax to reduce emissions on both sides of the world – a Contraction and Convergence mechanism.

Ian Greenwood is a structural engineer based in Moseley. Website: steerglobal.org

Summarising: The new need is at least an urgent incentive towards energy-enveloping of “hard to treat” buildings i.e. preventing heat leakage, but also useful in promoting natural air conditioning (overnight cooling) both in the UK and in many parts of the world. Utilising the thermal mass of existing buildings and a new mechanism to allow those increases in funding would be relatively simple and could offer a way out of Stagflation as well as a way to stabilise energy prices. An offset can be provided from the free money currently enjoyed by banks, building stability for industry and finance.