Hard to Treat Homes

Bev CoombeMembership and Communications Manager

Agenda

• Introduction

• Solutions

• Case Study - Sempatap

• Summary

• Questions

Introduction - What is a Hard to Treat Home?

These types of property often fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Solid wall construction

• No loft space

• Off the mains gas network

• Non traditional construction

• Non standard cavity

Introduction – The facts about Hard to Treat Homes

• HTT properties tend to be more difficult and expensive to improve in terms of providing adequate insulation and heating.

• Over 50% of fuel poor households live in HTT homes

• There are around 9.2 million dwellings that can be considered HTT (43% of the housing stock)

• 6.6 million properties have solid walls (31% of the total housing stock)

• Of the 326,000 high rise flats in England 48% have solid walls.

Introduction – The facts about Hard to Treat Homes

• HTT homes account for 43% of stock but actually emits over half the CO2 from all homes.

• Over half of the HTT stock is in the private sector.

• 65% of PRS is HTT

Introduction - What is a solid wall?• 9” masonry walls and other non-traditional construction types such as single leaf masonry, >9” walls (e.g. thick stone walls)

• concrete walls, metal or timber panels and some mixed wall types (e.g. Where the ground and first floors are constructed of different materials)

• BRE estimate that around 7% of unfilled cavity wall stock cannot receive CWI.

• High rise flats (at least 6 storeys high) – esp. 1953-1972

Breakdown of SWI - Tenure

Tenure No. of HTT dwellings (000’s)

% of tenure that has solid walls

% of total solid wall

Owner Occupied

4,549 30 69

Private rented

1,151 51 17

Local authority

562 23 9

RSL 337 21 5

Total 6,599 31 100

Breakdown of SWI – Dwelling type

Dwelling type

No. of HTT dwellings (000’s)

% of dwelling type that has SW

% of total solid wall

End Terrace 723 35 11

Mid Terrace 2,187 50 33

Semi Detached

1,562 24 24

Detached 838 18 13

Converted Flat

590 83 9

Flat – low rise

544 20 8

Flat – high rise

155 48 2

Total 6,599 31 100

Breakdown of SWI – Region

Gov Office Region

No of HTT dwellings(000’s)

% of GOR that has SW

% of total solid wall

South West 587 26 9

East England 639 27 10

South East 740 21 11

Total 1,966

What are the solutions?

Internal Wall Solutions

Typically consists of either dry lining in the form of flexible thermal linings available in 1 metre by 12.5 metre rolls, laminated insulating plasterboard (known as thermal board), or built-up systems using fibrous insulation such as mineral wool held in place using a studwork frame.

What are the solutions?

External Wall Solutions

Comprise of an insulation layer fixed to the existing wall, such as a protective render or decorative cladding. Dry cladding offers a wide range of finish materials that can be used – timber panels, stone or clay tiles, brick slips or aluminium panels.

What are the solutions?

Other Solutions

A majority of HTT properties will benefit from the provision of draught proofing.

Some HTT homes have a standard loft space that can be insulated.

Loft spaces with restricted access/headroom can often be insulated using blown cellulose which is made from recycled newspaper.

Properties with a cellar/basement can have the underside of the floorboards insulated.

Cost and Carbon Savings

Measure InternalWall

External Wall

Loft(0-270mm)

DraughtProofing

Annual Saving

Around £470

Around £500

Around £205

Around £30

Co² Savings

Around 2.4 tonnes

Around 2.5 tonnes

Around 1 tonne

Around 150 kg

Source – Energy Savings Trust

Case Study – Internal SolutionThe problemA solid wall Victorian terraced property with an uninsulated converted loft space.

The solutionSempatap is thermal insulation on roll which is applied like wallpaper and at only 10mm thick does not cause significant disruption during installation.

This product can be applied to ceilings as well as walls and provides a solution for properties without a loft space as well as those with solid walls. It can also be applied to the underside of floorboards in a cellar/basement.

Case Study – Internal SolutionThe product is applied using a special adhesive using a roller or brush and can be easily cut to size using wallpaper shears or scissors.

Once the product has been applied it can be painted, papered or even tiled.

The manufacturer of this product expect it to have a life expectancy of 30 years.

Due to the flexibility of the product it can be used on uneven walls and irregular surfaces and can be used on sloping walls and ceilings in converted loft spaces.

The product is only applied to the exterior facing interior walls of the property.

Case Study – Internal Solution

Summary- key points

There are around 9.2 million HTT homes

6.6 million properties have solid walls

There are solutions for HTT homes

• Internal/external insulation• Loft insulation• Draught proofing

Solid wall insulation can save up to £500 a year and around 2.5 tonnes of carbon.

Draught proofing can save up to £30 a year and around 150kg of carbon.

Loft insulation can save up to £205 a year and around 1 tonne of carbon.

Summary- key contacts

National Insulation Associationwww.nationalinsulationassociation.org.ukinfo@nationalinsulationassociation.org.uk

One-stop shop representing both internal and external solid wall manufacturers and installers.

Facilitates the Solid Wall Action Group for our members and key stakeholders.

Working with the industry to promote solutions for hard to treat homes and offer advice to the general public.

Details of products available from our solid wall manufacturer members are available today and include technical specifications.

Any Questions?