The project

2,278,000 dwellings exist in Scotland. 23% are pre-1919 tenement flats. However, pre-1919 dwellings lose a large amount of heat due to low thermal resistance and high air leakage, and current insulation methods for pre-1919 dwellings are also not fit for purpose: they are both expensive and time consuming.

Since 20% of Scotland’s emissions come from buildings, and 80% of our built environment will exist in 2050, retrofitting pre-1919 dwellings more efficiently is essential in helping Scotland reach a lower carbon footprint.

Innovation

Energystore Ltd’s superbead insulation is a less invasive insulation method to be used in pre-1919 dwellings. Energystore Ltd’s superbead insulation consists of an expanded polystyrene bead that provides high resistance to heat loss when bonded with adhesives.

This project aimed to install the insulation in 10 pre-1919 dwellings across Scotland and test its thermal benefits.

Read the full report.

Outcomes

• SAP rating improved between 5-8 points
• 3,450kWh/yr average energy reduction
• 750 kgCO2/yr in emissions curbed
• £136/yr saved on natural gas energy bill
• If applied to all walls in some analysed dwellings, £800/year could be saved.
• Showed that due to its less invasive installation method, many pre-1919 builds could  be effectively retrofitted in this way.