Limits and uncertainty for energy efficiency in the UK housing stock

Gillich, Aaron; Saber, Esmail M.; Mohareb, Eugene

doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2019.110889

Cited by 22 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The energy reductions found are higher than those of previous studies 3 and used in future modelling scenarios, 7 highlighting potential inaccuracies in modelled data. This may be due to the NCM profiles used in modelling, which may overestimate the energy used in baseline cases, meaning energy reductions appear higher.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

“…Considering the above figures, approximately 9.7 million dwellings will require some form of intervention regarding thermal insulation. Solid and cavity wall insulation are fundamental energy efficiency measures in the UK's net zero target, with both representing around a third of projected energy savings from residential building envelopes to 2035 (3) As highlighted in Table 1, solid wall insulation (SWI) has the largest fuel saving potential and highest number of measures yet to be realised when compared with cavity wall and loft insulation. The study will focus on the 1.5 million semi-detached non-cavity wall dwellings, as this type of property is well suited to heat pump retrofit, due to spatial concerns.…”

Section: Insulating the Existing Housing Stockmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2 Space heating and hot water demand make up 40% of energy use and 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in UK households. Almost all homes will need to be low-carbon by 2050, however, at present less than 2% of buildings are heated with low-carbon sources 3 and energy efficiency in the housing stock is amongst the worst when compared with other European countries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Residential retrofit in the UK: The optimum retrofit measures necessary for effective heat pump use

Lingard

2020

Building Services Engineering Research and Technology

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The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the Committee on Climate Change place high dependency on the electrification of heat and use of heat pump systems to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Energy efficient buildings are essential for effective heat pump operation. However, the UK’s housing stock is amongst the least energy efficient in Europe. Household electricity demand will increase with heat pump use, meaning reinforcement to infrastructure and generation capacity. This study uses dynamic simulation modelling to determine the optimum energy efficient retrofit required to minimise energy use and electrical demand for an average semi-detached dwelling using a heat pump. Solid wall insulation is found to be critical in energy abatement, although the heat pump operates at a high demand compared with low voltage network design. A whole house retrofit in-line with current Building Regulations reduces the heating demand and emissions by 65%, and lowers the input electrical demand for the heat pump to under 1 kW. Solid wall insulation and low U-value glazing are the cost-optimal solution, achieving similar abatement. Measures that exceed building regulations are shown to lower heat demand and carbon emissions by almost 80%, highlighting scope for improvement in retrofit standards. Practical application At present, UK policy makers have a preferred alternative to high carbon fossil fuels that is a system heavily reliant on heat pumps powered by low carbon electricity. Heat pump systems require energy efficient buildings to operate effectively. A key factor when improving building efficiency is fabric standards, which can dramatically impact the heat transfer coefficient. Retrofit of energy efficiency measures is key to future net zero success and will have large implications to consumers and supply chains alike.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

Section: Insulating the Existing Housing Stockmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Residential retrofit in the UK: The optimum retrofit measures necessary for effective heat pump use

Lingard

2020

Building Services Engineering Research and Technology

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“…In [69], the authors assessed possible uncertainty sources in a building stock in Sweden, comparing four uncertain factors i.e., global climate models, regional climate models, emissions scenarios and initial conditions. In [78], the uncertainties related to a set of energy saving measures, as well as to the achievable savings, were analyzed. A sensitivity analysis was also employed in [59] to test how variations in building age, envelope, HVAC system and compactness ratio (S/V ratio) will affect the primary energy requirement.…”

Section: Sensitivity Analysis In Building Stocksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Retrofit in European Building Portfolios: A Review of Five Key Aspects

2020

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The research about energy efficiency in buildings has exponentially increased during the last few years. Nevertheless, both research and practice still cannot rely on complete methodologies tailored for building portfolios as a whole, because the attention has always been drawn to individual premises. Yet, energy efficiency analyses need to go beyond the single building perspective and incorporate strategic district approaches to optimize the retrofit investment. For this purpose, several aspects should be considered simultaneously, and new methodologies should also be promoted. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss energy retrofit campaigns in building portfolios, drawing an exhaustive and updated review about the challenge of jumping from the single-building perspective to a stock-based analysis. This research discusses the publications available on the topic from five key aspects that are all essential steps in achieving a complete and reliable study of energy efficiency at a portfolio level. They are energy modelling and assessment, energy retrofit design, decision-making criteria assessment, optimal allocation of (financial) resources and risk valuation. This review, therefore, advocates for joint consideration of the problem as a basis on which to structure further disciplinary developments. Research gaps are highlighted, and new directions for future research are suggested.

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“…28 The zero-carbon transition will affect every household as almost all homes will require some form of retrofit, resulting in an extensive market for designers, engineers, contractors and supply chains to capitalise upon. 29,30 There are also clear environmental, social and economic benefits for all stakeholders, including large potential profits. 31…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opportunities and barriers to business engagement in the UK domestic retrofit sector: An industry perspective

Butt¹,

Jones

Fuertes

2020

Building Services Engineering Research and Technology

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This paper investigates the opportunities and barriers to business engagement in the UK domestic retrofit sector. There are approximately 28 million UK dwellings accounting for 30% of UK total energy consumption. Almost all of the existing housing stock will require some form of retrofit in order to meet the UK Government’s Net Zero emissions target by 2050. However, adoption has been much lower than required. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with industry professionals to investigate the key barriers and opportunities for businesses in the retrofit market. The results suggest that there is significant opportunity for businesses, but engagement has been suppressed by three main categories of barriers: (1) Those that cause lack of consumer demand; (2) Those that constrain retrofit projects, limiting their volume and scalability; (3) Those resulting from a lack of government will or direction. Business opportunity for retrofit was seen to extend globally, with substantial market growth possible. The paper suggests potential roles and solutions key stakeholders could take to achieve the volume of retrofit required. The findings should be of interest to all stakeholders who wish to overcome the multitude of barriers to business engagement in the retrofit sector and realise the potential opportunities. Practical application: This study aims to understand the barriers preventing the large-scale adoption of domestic retrofit in the UK in order to identify avenues for increasing business engagement in the sector. Potential areas believed to present significant opportunity for businesses when engaging in, developing and upscaling the retrofit process and solutions are highlighted. This paper should be of interest to building industry professionals already or wanting to undertake domestic retrofit works in future. The paper also gathers the views of current building industry professionals through semi-structured interviews providing an industry centric assessment of the sector’s challenges and possible solutions.

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Limits and uncertainty for energy efficiency in the UK housing stock

Cited by 22 publications

References 15 publications

Residential retrofit in the UK: The optimum retrofit measures necessary for effective heat pump use

Residential retrofit in the UK: The optimum retrofit measures necessary for effective heat pump use

Energy Retrofit in European Building Portfolios: A Review of Five Key Aspects

Opportunities and barriers to business engagement in the UK domestic retrofit sector: An industry perspective

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