Stroma to retrofit existing social housing stock

Stroma suggests that retrofit is considered the preferred route to meeting government targets, but realises the practical and theoretical implications of retrofitting properties.

Legislation such as the Climate Change Act, which demands an 80 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050, and the Fuel Poverty Bill, which aims to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016, is putting increasing pressure on the government to increase sustainable efforts.

Statistics suggest that housing currently accounts for 27 per cent of the UK's CO2 emissions.

The energy performance of existing stock must be addressed and improved, if the government is to meet targets.

Investment in refurbishment is the way forward and the social housing sector is expected to lead this initiative.

The government-backed Technology Strategy Board's (TSB) 'Retrofit for the Future' competition forms part of this drive.

The scheme aims to address key objectives for the housing sector: reducing CO2 emissions, reducing energy bills, a secure and affordable energy supply, and forming an efficient supply chain for housing associations and registered social landlords.

Each of the organisations that have won contracts to participate will develop sustainable and financially viable, whole house refurbishment solutions which can be rolled out across the UK for similar housing types.

Success will be measured by the extent to which a solution balances carbon reductions with capital cost, occupant comfort, along with the potential for replication.

Stroma Design, partnering with Connaught, is one of the successful applicants and plans to pioneer its fabric first approach to retrofit during phase 1 of the scheme, the feasibility stage.

The approach involves reducing energy demand through air tightness, insulation and ventilation improvements before introducing renewable energy technologies.

Stroma will consider each property individually, taking into account all possible variables including property type, location and orientation, to determine the most appropriate retrofit measures.

Performance testing has already been carried out on the existing properties by Stroma.

The Energy Saving Trust will carry out two year post-completion testing and monitoring to ascertain the level of improvement achieved.

Stroma realises that the practical and theoretical implications of retrofitting properties are greater than those associated with new build.

Consequently, Stroma has already held numerous liaison meetings with the relevant tenants, registered social landlords and housing association representatives to ensure that their requirements are considered throughout the scheme.

Stroma plans to be involved at every stage of the process, proposing regular site visits to ensure that the scheme runs smoothly and disruption is kept to a minimum.

Stroma is currently working with several housing associations and building contractors to retrofit existing social housing stock, providing design services, strategic advice and assessment works.

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