Wetherby part of new initiative to roll out ultra-low energy retrofit homes

Wetherby Building Systems Ltd is joining forces with leading energy and services specialists Engie to transform pre-existing retrofit homes into low maintenance, net zero carbon homes with the help of its insulated render systems.

This initiative comes as part of a wider acknowledgment to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

UK households account for over 25% of the entire UK CO2 emissions, with half the market achieving an EPC rating of D or less.

So, attention has been drawn to design and deliver a programme that will not only lift residents out of fuel poverty but improve environmental performances throughout the home to greatly reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.

Sutton Housing Partnership (SHP) securing capital funding means they will undergo a programme of works to retrofit up to 100 homes in the London Borough of Sutton.

SHP’s enlisting of Engie to deliver the first of its kind pilot scheme will see eight non-traditional unity homes undergo a transformation to achieve a net zero energy goal.

Wetherby provides a suitable external wall insulation system for the façade aspect, which will help towards achieving the net zero energy goal.

Unity homes

Unity homes were a feature after the Second World War, to address the severe housing shortage at the time. The lack of readily available building materials or skilled tradesmen at the time meant many of these homes were constructed with precast reinforced concrete (PRC).

However, since very little consideration was given to the structural integrity or insulation content of these homes, the consideration was that many were defective under the housing defects legislation in the 1980s, meaning thermal efficiency is now in desperate need of improvement. 

Engie will utilise its recently launched whole house retrofit model, Engie Zero for this pilot scheme, which has derived from the Energiesprong UK performance standard.

Energiesprong is a ground-breaking whole-house renovation approach, pioneered in the Netherlands. It upgrades a home with innovative energy-saving and energy-generating measures, which include new highly insulated outside walls and windows, a solar roof, and a modern heating system.

Wetherby A1 EWI system

The energy efficiency measures by Engie for SHP will include Wetherby’s A1 external wall insulation system.

Wetherby’s A1 EWI system incorporates a non-combustible stone wool insulation, reinforcing mesh and basecoat to achieve the highest possible European fire classification to the BS EN 13501-1 standard.

The long-term compressive strength and high impact resistance of Wetherby’s A1 system will provide maximum thermal efficiency for the home owner.

This will play a huge part in contributing to the net zero carbon target by dramatically reducing their energy bills and creating significantly warmer homes.

The system also benefits from excellent acoustic performance making it ideal for absorbing and regulating the noise in the residential area. Due to its non-combustibility, it will provide the residents with superior fire protection giving them piece of mind that they can feel safe and secure in their homes.

The system will be complete with Wetherby’s Heck ED Mineral Render and Heck Silicone Paint, providing excellent breathability and giving the aesthetic a much-needed contemporary new look whilst keeping them in line with the surrounding community. 

‘Ambitious plans’

Steve Tucker, Managing Director of Sutton Housing Partnership, comments: “It’s fantastic that our residents will benefit from lower energy bills, warmer homes and a more sustainable future, as a result of this funding. 

“We’re very proud to be working towards a carbon neutral borough and supporting Sutton Council in its ambitious plans to tackle the climate emergency.”

James Cook, Divisional Director for ENGIE UK & Ireland, says: “This is a commendable venture from the Mayor of London, Sutton Housing Partnership and Sutton Council. 

“The climate emergency remains the single biggest threat we face and London’s existing buildings are responsible for nearly 80% of the city’s CO2 emissions – so investment in retrofitting existing stock is paramount.”

Contact:

Wetherby Building Systems,
1 Kid Glove Road,
Golborne Enterprise Park,
Golborne,
Greater Manchester,
Cheshire,
United Kingdom
WA3 3GS

Phone: 01942 717100
Fax: 01942 717101

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