Retrofitting the UK’s ageing homes is now an urgent priority. Simon Storer of the Insulation Manufacturers Association highlights the challenges and opportunities of meeting evolving safety, sustainability, and efficiency standards through effective insulation solutions.
It is well known that the UK has some of the least energy efficient and worst maintained homes in Europe, with nearly six million houses built before 1919 and over half built before the first insulation requirements were added to the Building Regulations in 1965. These ageing, poorly insulated homes lose substantial heat and are in varying states of repair. But the sheer volume and variability of the UK’s older building stock requires tailored retrofitting approaches, not a simple one-size-fits-all solution.
A shifting regulatory landscape
In contrast, higher standards for energy efficiency have been introduced for new build housing: the new and updated Part L of the Building Regulations for England came into force in June 2022, followed by new energy efficiency updates in Scotland and Wales in November and December 2022. The Future Homes Standard is currently under consultation. While these standards are not yet good enough and more will need to be done to meet the net zero challenge, there is very little to promote and deliver the improvements needed for existing buildings.
The Government’s Warm Homes Plan represents a potentially important step forward. With £3.4bn allocated over three years (roughly £1.1bn annually) the plan introduces grants and low-interest loans to support investments in insulation, solar panels, batteries, and low-carbon heating systems. These measures aim to lower energy bills and reduce emissions, helping to address the UK’s notoriously inefficient housing stock. If we are to move to a net zero carbon country by 2050 (2045 in Scotland), it will be vital to make improvements to homes and other buildings to reduce emissions. This means installing a whole range of energy saving measures; from better insulation and more efficient appliances to replacing fossil fuelled boilers with low carbon alternatives such as heat pumps.
Fabric first approach
PIR and PUR insulation has an invaluable role in upgrading our underperforming housing stock and ensuring a sustainable future. Good insulation is essential and is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy demand and cut CO2. Lower U-values in walls, floors and roofs will result in less heat lost, and better thermal performance, which in turn will help to deliver the standards required.
Highly effective and versatile, polyisocyanurate (PIR) and polyurethane (PUR) are some of the most effective insulation products available and provide versatile solutions in the form of boards, blocks, cavity injected, composite panels, and spray or panel insulation. These versatile products ensure that heat loss from properties is substantially reduced, meaning enhanced energy efficiency.
Healthy homes
Well insulated buildings can also yield significant benefits for the lives of their users and occupants. The importance of thermal comfort, providing pleasant internal conditions during the winter and summer months, is a prime example. This factor is seen to influence performance and productivity, as well as the physical and mental health of building users.
Another social benefit associated with better insulation is the reduction and potential elimination of fuel poverty. This issue is alleviated as a greater proportion of heat is retained more effectively in homes when incorporating superior fabric efficiencies. The provision of an enhanced building envelope results in a reduced overall fuel demand needed to achieve equivalent, sustained warmth over the winter months than for a building with lesser thermal performance.
Good practice & detailing
To upgrade buildings to the standards required, it will be essential to establish its existing condition and carry out an accurate energy audit by a competent assessor, who can provide appropriate energy improvement measures. Factors such as the building’s design, location and construction materials may influence the best solution; correct detailing, materials and process are all important considerations as is pre-installation preparation and other remedial work such as ensuring gutters and downpipes do not leak. An adequate ventilation scheme should also be introduced as improved airtightness will alter the air flow and internal building environment.
With the need for retrofit on the increase it is most important that work is carried out with a holistic approach following a comprehensive set of standards: assessment, compliance, installation and commissioning, to ensure the building performs as intended and that works are carried out in the correct order.
Professional co-ordination coupled with consumer motivation, can deliver a successful retrofit. But good design and workmanship necessitates a proper level of quality assurance throughout the process, and good detailing is important for new-build and retrofit alike.
Moreover, to ensure thermal performance is achieved, all contractors need to make sure the levels of site supervision are of a good standard, the manufacturer’s installation instructions are followed and installation instructions around potential cold thermal bridges and detailing are achieved.
Upgrading and retrofitting our ageing housing stock with high performance insulation plays a crucial role in lowering heating demand, cutting CO2 emissions whilst simultaneously tackling fuel poverty and improving comfort and wellbeing. Only through such concerted improvement efforts can we not only minimise environmental impact but also create a lasting asset for future generations.
Simon Storer is chief executive of the Insulation Manufacturers Association