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Abstract: The work forms part of the CALEBRE project (2008–2013), the aim of which was to investigate a suite of technologies and staged approaches for retrofit upgrades for ‘hard-to-treat’ solid/thin cavity masonry-walled UK domestic buildings that would i) reduce operational energy demand/carbon emissions, and ii) be acceptable and appealing to the building occupants. The E.ON Retrofit Research House (Nottingham, UK) was used as an instrumented test platform as part of this study. The retrofitting phases (and technologies) have been used as the basis for the modelling methodology in this paper, together with the corresponding envelope assemblies, material properties, climate, and internal load parameters. The approach to retrofit was to increase air tightness (reduce ACH), decrease static U-values of the external envelope (wall, floor and glazing), and upgrade heating system efficiency. This was complemented by a combination of options that included a whole-building system of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR). These interventions were analysed alongside simulated passive buffering of variations in indoor air psychrometric conditions using conventional (clay, timber) and advanced (mesoporous silica) wall surface treatments. Each retrofit scenario was modelled using an energetic hygrothermics building performance simulation (BPS) approach to determine the combined effects of retrofit packages on indoor air psychrometric conditions, external envelope (dynamic) heat transfer, operational energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and mould growth potential. It is proposed that this approach can provide the basis for an intelligent risk management strategy to inform both the design and deployment of retrofit upgrade packages intended for residential buildings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: There is a widespread interest in reducing environmental impacts of all industries and processes to help achieve the targets set in the Climate Change Act of 2008. The use of alternative construction techniques to build the walls of UK housing has the potential to reduce their environmental impact in a range of ways. This includes the reduction of embodied energy as well as operational energy use, the latter through improved thermal performance. A major challenge to be overcome if alternative techniques are to be used is the acceptability to purchasers. The current acceptability of a range of construction techniques and issues that are important to purchasers were examined using a questionnaire. Although the acceptability of lower carbon alternatives is less than that of the conventional technique, findings in this research suggest that there is potential for their use in UK housing. The acceptability of alternative construction techniques varies greatly with type. Concerns expressed about the construction techniques could often be dispelled by existing research, indicating that education is key to improving acceptability of alternative construction techniques and hence opening the way to accessing their environmental benefits. The respondents identified environmental issues, finance, operating costs and risk as key areas of concern, which need to be considered during decision-making. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]