Revolutionary retrofits

Discover the measures taken to radically improve the thermal performance of these existing homes

- 

Applying Passivhaus standards

This retrofit project, by RISE Design Studio, has cut the energy consumption of this mid-terrace 1930s house by 75%. Prior to the project, the house had undergone several piecemeal alterations over the years. 'It suffered from single glazing, uncontrolled draughts, damp from cold bridging and very poor insulation,' says Sean Ronnie Hill, founder and director at the practice.

Numerous interventions have brought the house up to 21st-century standards of thermal performance. 'We applied EnerPHit principles – the Passivhaus standard for retrofits – exceeding Building Regulations for insulation in most cases by twofold,' explains Sean. The airtightness of the property was addressed to minimise uncontrolled heat loss, before vapour-open wood fibre external insulation was applied to the solid walls to boost thermal performance.

Triple-glazed windows and doors also form part of the new energy-efficient thermal envelope. An air source heat pump now provides space and hot water heating, while an MVHR system ensures excellent internal air quality. As a result of the retrofit project, the house now benefits from an impressive A rating on its Energy Performance Certificate.

Victorian update