Sun, 03 May 2026 09:58:27 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3574 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3574 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:34:22 +0000 Steffen595
read the thread regarding thermal decrement, but I am still a bit lost. Am trying to model several roof types just corrugated iron, or iron plus reflective foil and air gap in between and the software comes up with crazy values as if the air gap creates a massive decrement. I can imagine it gets you some delay (the gap) because it a bad conductor, but it won't change the decrement factor from 1 to 0.06. (that is the results of Ecotect) .
Reg. corrugated iron roof and no insulation: am in Australia.

Cheers,

Steffen]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3490 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3490 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:34:43 +0000 GHC
Many thanks,
Peter]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3350 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3350 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:07:37 +0000 Energy Saver
I have currently only found details on a company called Infiltec.

Thanks in advance]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3394 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3394 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:59:44 +0000 PaulD
I decided to release a free version of our software (new build not RD SAP) in December 2008 which can be obtained from our website after registering. This version can produce a calculation and a predicted energy assessment for submission to building control. When the building is finished, if you have a requirement for an EPC you can use the software to upload the project calculation file and associated drawings to our server whereby we can check the calculation for compliance and lodge the energy performance certificate on your behalf. This is all done automatically from the software with the click of a button. There is a charge for producing a certificate although by removing duplication of effort ie we check your original calculation. I have tried to make this as reasonable as possible.

The software is available for free and hopefully in the spirit of this forum.

Regards
Paul Dennis
www.completepicture.co.uk]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3379 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3379 Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:57:59 +0000 James Norton
J]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1449 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1449 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:11:20 +0000 ali.gill
Acronyms
clg communities and local government
epc energy performance certificate
dec display energy certificate
dea domestic energy assessor
cibse chartered institution of building services engineers
lcc low carbon consultant

Improving the energy efficiency of our buildings: A guide to energy performance certificates for the construction, sale and let of non-dwellings
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/guidancenondwellings
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Improving the energy efficiency of our homes and buildings: Energy Certificates and air-conditioning inspections for buildings
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/improvingenergyefficiency
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Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and New Homes: A Builder's Guide
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/epcsbuildersguide
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Green findings - Energy Performance Certificates and Home Information Packs - Simple review of findings from epc's produced to date 09/07.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/greenfindings
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Display Energy Certificates
http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/theenvironment/energyperformance/certificates/displayenergycertificates/
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Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/theenvironment/energyperformance/certificates/energyperformancecertificates/
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Energy Assessment Process - The calculation software/methodologies involved
http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/theenvironment/energyperformance/energyassessmentprocess/
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When the measures are being introduced
http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/theenvironment/energyperformance/whenmeasures/
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Energy Assessor Qualification and Accreditation
http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/theenvironment/energyperformance/energyassessorqualification/
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Modern Building services : The new age of Energy Certificates for Buildings
http://www.modbs.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/4395/The_new_age_of_Energy____Certificates_for_Buildings.html

Well that should keep you busy. If anyone has any links to articles, resources or other documents can they be posted below and discussions take place on the EPC Discussions thread.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3370 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3370 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:14:25 +0000 Chris Wardle https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3364 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3364 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:09:39 +0000 conkeil
has anyone got a copy of the above from rics they would like to pass on

thanks

conkeil]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3156 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3156 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:53:41 +0000 qeipl
I've spent a sizable chunk of today trying to find out if a coil heat exchanger in a cylinder is going to provide a DHW supply at a suitable temperature.
In the absence of any hard evidence I cobbled together a calculation which has come out with a positive result but I'm not convinced that my high school physics is as sharp as it should be.
I'm hoping that someone on this forum knows how to answer the question.

The coil is made from 22mm (ID) smooth copper pipe and is 10m long. I imagine it is a helical coil.
The maximum available flow rate through a 15mm pipe is around 20 litres/minute (measuring jug under the kitchen tap at full bore), which an online calculator converted to 43l/m for the 22mm pipe.
The desired delta T is 45 degrees.

All offers of help gratefully received.
If you need any more parameters please ask.

Thanks,

Malcolm]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3224 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3224 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:25:38 +0000 Jeremy S
I've kept quiet on the subject of 'units' (as used to measure things and stuff, rather than to stuff pots and pans in) for a long while, as I know I've a tendency to be pernickety and pedantic, but it seems that the 'industry-standard' makes a meal of some otherwise straightforward calculations by using irrational units.

A Watt (W) is the S.I. measure of power, the rate of energy expenditure; it is defined as being the power developed as 1 Joule (J) of energy is expended per second. (A Joule is the energy required to maintain 1 Newton of force for 1 metre, and a Newton is the force required to accelerate 1kg at 1m/s2 - that's pretty much by-the-by, but presented for completeness - in effect 1W = 1kg.m2/s3, but that's a little hard to visualise!)

So, in discussing buildings, we measure energy use in..... kWh! That's a 1000J per second for an hour, or 3,600,000J or 3.6MJ (that's 3412BTU, in old money). And now we're approaching the crux: thermal performance standards, such as Passivhaus/Carbonlite, are defined using kWh/m2/year, i.e. a 1000J per second for 3600 seconds per square metre per 31536000 seconds - which is an overload of seconds, I reckon.

So 1kWh/m2/year is 3.6MJ/m2/31536000s, which is 0.114W/m2; defined in these (to my mind, more rational) units, the Passivhaus standard (15kWh/m2/year) for space heating becomes 1.7W/m2, i.e. a 1kW heater could heat 584m2 - about 24m square - that's a big room! My point here is that this simplified unit is easier to appreciate and, more importantly, much easier to use in determining the required power supply, and things like volumes of thermal stores (as specific heat capacity is measured in J/kg.degC).

What I don't understand is, assuming that the original work done to determine such standards was done by engineers competent in physics, that they could come up with such a convoluted unit when a far simpler one was already to hand.

I don't expect that there'll be an overnight switch to my way of thinking (you fools!), but can anybody else see the sense in what I'm driving at? Are there good reasons for not using the simplest S.I units?

best wishes, Jeremy

P.S. As for electricity bills...]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2786 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2786 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:45:23 +0100 James Norton
Worth the money?

What to charge?

Please discuss,

J]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1598 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1598 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:05:21 +0100 donna
I am thinking of day the Residential Domestic Energy Assessor Cause can any one give advice if this is a good course and if it would be worth doing now the way the properly industry has slowed down. How is easy is it to get work once qualified.

Is it a job that alot of women go into?

Would well any comments

Thanks]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3036 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3036 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:48:16 +0000 10100
ie 0 in the u value calculation?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3049 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3049 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 16:42:38 +0000 djh
There are various useful-looking ones for U-values, moisture & temperature calcs. The surface temperature one looks relevant to some recent discussion in Tony's "Measuring the temperature under my solid floor" topic, because it shows the figures for propagation of heat in different directions - horizontally through a wall, up through a roof or down through a floor. The numbers it uses for surface resistance in each case are the same as those in the PHPP manual, so I guess they're reasonably accurate.

Enjoy, Dave]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3046 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3046 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 12:23:41 +0000 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1512 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1512 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:49:51 +0100 GHC https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3002 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3002 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:12:53 +0000 mw-fox
For my MSc I am currently researching into environmental modeling as a tool for very the early design stages of a project. The theory is that there should be a simple tool that can be used to simulate sketch designs - to get the basic principles right before getting planning permission!

I would appreciate any thoughts on this, and I have also put together a 2min questionnaire, and I would appreciate anyone filling this in for my research:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=z1mFBI0WgnaHgJDCfMJz5g_3d_3d

Many thanks, Matt]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2911 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2911 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:35:49 +0000 tony https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2916 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2916 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:34:53 +0000 suomi
They have an old Spencer Surdic wood burner (boiler) that is now showing its age. This wood burner has been running on parts that were taken from a neighbour, but now they cannot get anything for it apart from the glass. It’s going to need replacing in the next couple of years.

The problem is I do not know what the baseline is in order to make comparisons.

It has a high output boiler, the one with four holes in it running from bottom to top. Does anyone know what the outputs of these burners are with the high output boiler in? Heat to room and heat to water?

The current system is backed up by a gas boiler, the burner on its own is good for the water but not for the radiators (one small double, three large singles and one short long double).

When looking for a replacement what is the minimum I need? (It’s not that well insulated and is daftly)

Also can anyone recommend any, maximum price of £800?
Cheers]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2785 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2785 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:44:18 +0100 James Norton
J]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2681 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2681 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:54:23 +0100 olihaden
I'm a graduate building surveyor working for a multinational construction consultancy. As part of my induction I have to undertake a group research project on the above topic and produce a report based upon what we find. As graduates from different disciplines our knowledge in this area is relatively limited; does anyone have any contacts or information that may be of use to us? In particular we're interested in the views of other industry professionals, system manufacturers such as Honeywell etc., contractors, and any intelligent building users. Of course the ultimate goal is to explore how energy use can be optimised.

To narrow it down, areas we've identified to research are as follows:

Introduction – what are intelligent buildings?

Advantages and disadvantages of intelligent buildings

Applications – discussion of the uses in different building types and sectors/markets

What can be achieved by implementing control systems and how they can optimise energy use – lighting, heating, cooling, access etc.

Different platforms – BAC, LON and the compatibility between systems

Political issues – regulations, CO2 emissions, social/corporate responsibilities, energy performance certificates, the effect of soaring energy costs, statistics

Independent views on the topic – input from companies outside of the company such as Honeywell, along with other industry professionals such as architects

Case studies – a review of successes, problem areas, issues encountered, value and results for the client. This can then link into other areas

Client issues – cost – affordability, capex, opex/maintenance and upgrade costs, obsolescence, clients with large property portfolios; construction issues – design, installation and workmanship, operational reliability, programme delays, use for new-build and refurbishment schemes

Development of a hypothetical building to illustrate the potential advantages/savings an intelligent building can produce


Any pointers or help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Oli]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2103 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2103 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:52:13 +0100 davvac
I'm looking at CfSH level 4 on two current projects for a Housing Association.The unit by unit nature of The Code means that I will have to get the 44% improvement of the DER over TER on the worst flat with the "better" units over performing.

I work for a medium sized builder by the way, hence perhaps the "noob" nature of the question.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2481 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2481 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:09:38 +0100 MarkH
Or, to look at it another way, to provide a given amount of heat to a room, which would be cheaper to run?

Thanks :smile:]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2225 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2225 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:15:19 +0100 Mike George https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2315 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2315 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 07:22:59 +0100 liberteeen https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2272 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2272 Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:57:53 +0100 Tracy Oldfield The building faces south with most of its window facing this direction for thermal gain, and we have built it with very high levels of insulation as well as thermal mass to hold in the heat.
We intend most of our water heating to be solar (probably 40 Navitron tubes), and back up hot water with a wood burning stove (proably Clearview), which will also provide all the space heating.
Our SAPs give us the following figures taking into account solar gains:
heating 22,047kwh/yr
water heating 5,450kwh/yr
My stab at calculating heating has come out at 2.5kw which seems very low for heating a whole house. The above figure for heating includes heat to the room with the stove in as well as radiators/underfloor heating to the rest of the house. Most of the space is open plan with four 9sqm bedrooms.
Can anyone interpret these figures into required size of stove and back boiler for me? Also is it more efficient to use underfloor pipes or radiators?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1450 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1450 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:21:39 +0000 ali.gill One of my lecturers moonlights training domestic energy assessors and his advice was to swerve the domestic energy assessor role due to the lack of revenue suggesting £30-40 a time.
i'd love to hear from people that paid for the training with the income promises some of the training firms were suggesting the reality is probably quite a blow, especially coupled with the diminishing number of properties coming onto the market.

of course theres code for sustainable homes assessors to research yet!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1965 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1965 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:15:01 +0100 njtkc but because of size and building regs we need to minimise the internal space lost for insulation any suggestions.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2104 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2104 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:46:17 +0100 davvac
All other variables are the same - u values, LE lighting, air permeability etc.

Thanks

Dave]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2031 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2031 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:53:55 +0100 delboy Can anyone recommend a cheap Professional Indemnity Insurer for SAP assessors?
Cheers]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1986 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1986 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:45:21 +0100 wisemandesigns I am looking at getting an energy audit on a house. Walk through inspection checking for the usuals - insulation, air leakage, ventilation, draught strips/excluders, no. of CFLs, heating/controls etc. I know about the blower door testing but I see a number of people offering Thermography pictures. Is this 1. practical (I was told the weather - wind,cloud, sun, temp., has an effect of the result) and 2.Should an air tightness test be the first test to do and the image pictures a back-up.
Appreciate your time on this.
Alan]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1880 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1880 Sun, 08 Jun 2008 10:41:14 +0100 Mike George
More specifically:
Re Basalt walll ties - I came across this aparently posted by a manufacturer on another forum. [See bottom of page 1] http://www.aecb.net/forum/index.php?topic=1498.0A relevant case study:a project designed in Pembrokeshire, with dense concrete block walls, a 300mm wide cavity fully filled with three 100mm mineral wool batts and Bassalt Ties (425mm long ties). The calculated U-Value for the walls is 0.12 W/(m2 K). The same walls with stainless steel wall ties would have a U-Value of 0.17 W/(m2 K) (~42% less thermally efficient).

I am interested in testing just what proportion of energy is lost through a cavity wall tie. Is it significant? How would one go about calculating this [without software].

The difficulty I see is that this cannot be accurately done in the conventional way ie 1/R as ties do not have a given uniform thickness with which to derive their R-value Or do they?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1558 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1558 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:05:36 +0100 Neil K
I may be barking up the wrong tree, but the equipment doesn't look particularly sophisticated from the pictures, and I am wondering if it is worth all the hassle of getting someone up here to airtest if there is a DIY solution. (By 'up here' I mean to an island in Scotland, so not exactly a drive round the M25)

Any experience out there I can tap into?

Thanks,]]>