Loreburn sets new standard for retrofitting

Loreburn Housing Association has recently launched an innovative retrofit initiative aimed at enhancing the energy efficiency of its housing stock. Working in collaboration with Procast Group, Loreburn introduced the Smith Way Retrofit Project earlier this year to address the unique challenges of retrofitting homes built with timber kit construction.

Originally constructed for efficiency and affordability, these homes face difficulties in meeting modern energy standards, leading to high energy bills and poor energy performance. To tackle these issues, Loreburn focused on four homes in Smith Way, Beattock, implementing upgrades such as improved insulation, new windows, upgraded heating systems, renewable energy sources, and smart technologies for effective energy monitoring and management.

Stuart Mackay, head of investment and sustainability at Loreburn, highlighted the significance of the Smith Way development in kickstarting Loreburn’s Retrofit Journey due to its timber framed construction and low energy performance levels. With over 40% of Loreburn’s building stock comprising timber framed construction, finding retrofit solutions suitable for these properties was crucial.

Retrofitting aims to create a more sustainable and comfortable living environment by considering the interplay of different components within the property. Advanced sensors were utilized to collect data on the homes’ performance before and after the upgrades, which will be analysed by Edinburgh University to evaluate the effectiveness of the retrofitting measures on energy efficiency and tenant comfort.

Stuart further explained that in the pilot project, two properties were upgraded to meet the high AECB Carbonlite standards, while two more were brought up to the current Scottish Government Energy Efficiency standards, achieving an impressive EPC Band B rating for each. Additional improvement work was carried out on two properties as an interim measure, providing valuable insights into the impact of each standard on property performance and the end user’s comfort and finances.

While initial findings from the Smith Way Retrofit Project have been positive, Loreburn understands that developing a viable standard to implement across its housing stock will require ongoing refinement and evaluation. Moving forward, Loreburn will focus on identifying areas for cost savings and optimizing procurement strategies to ensure maximum benefits from each retrofit investment.

This strategic approach will pave the way for the establishment of a ‘Loreburn Standard’ that can guide future retrofit initiatives across Loreburn’s wider housing stock. By incorporating best practices identified through the Smith Way project, this standard has the potential to revolutionize retrofit strategies for housing providers nationwide, influencing future investment decisions and driving towards more sustainable housing solutions.

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