Steve Goodhew

Making Heat Visible Promoting Energy Conservation Behaviors Through Thermal Imaging

Householders play a role in energy conservation through the decisions they make about purchases and installations such as insulation, and through their habitual behavior. The present U.K. study investigated the effect of thermal imaging technology on energy conservation, by measuring the behavioral effect after householders viewed images of heat escaping from or cold air entering their homes. In Study 1 (n = 43), householders who received a thermal image reduced their energy use at a 1-year follow-up, whereas householders who received a carbon footprint audit and a non-intervention control demonstrated no change. In Study 2 (n = 87), householders were nearly 5 times more likely to install draught proofing measures after seeing a thermal image. The effect was especially pronounced for actions that addressed an issue visible in the images. Findings indicate that using thermal imaging to make heat loss visible can promote energy conservation.

The perceived barriers to the inclusion of rainwater harvesting systems by UK house building companies

This work investigates the barriers that exist to deter the implementation of rainwater harvesting into new UK housing. A postal questionnaire was sent to a selection of large, medium and small house-builders distributed across the UK. Questions were asked concerning potential barriers to the inclusion of rainwater harvesting in homes separated into five sections; (1) institutional and regulatory gaps, (2) economic and financial constraints, (3) absence of incentives, (4) lack of information and technical knowledge, and (5) house-builder attitudes. The study concludes that although the knowledge of rainwater systems has increased these barriers are deterring house-builders from installing rainwater harvesting systems in new homes. It is further acknowledged that the implementation of rainwater harvesting will continue to be limited whilst these barriers remain and unless resolved, rainwater harvestings potential to reduce the consumption of potable water in houses will continue to be limited.

Identifying an appropriate approach to judge low carbon buildings

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report research conducted in the UKs East Midlands region which explores optimising practice for low carbon building through an architectural award system.Design/methodology/approach – To explore the complexity of the contexts, philosophies and demonstrations involved in best practice for low carbon buildings, a mixed research approach was adopted through an online survey and interviews with 13 experts.Findings – The research provides practical means to evaluate low carbon buildings and suggests an approach where aesthetic design and technical compliance are given similar weightings. It also presents the opinions of construction professional practitioners and academics on best practice for low carbon buildings.Research limitations/implications – The research focuses on investigating the judging criteria and opinions of construction professionals who have, in the past, strongly identified with sustainable building design practice.Practical implications – As this r...

In-Construction Testing of the Thermal Performance of Dwellings Using Thermography

If the UK target for all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016 is to be achieved in practice, and not just in theory, considerable attention will need to be paid to closing the gap between designed and built performance. Physical test methods capable of providing evidence that the design thermal performance of the building fabric is achieved in construction will be a key element in seeking to close this gap. This paper presents an argument for developing test methods suitable for in-construction testing, and explores the benefits and limitations of thermal imaging techniques (thermography). The method and findings of a pilot thermography study are reported, which identifies some practical considerations for the use of the technique on a “live” construction site. The paper will be of interest to thermography practitioners, housing developers and researchers interested in methods of investigating the thermal performance of energy efficient dwellings.

Sustainable Construction Processes: A Resource Text

This book explores the concepts and practicalities that lead to sustainable construction. It breaks new ground by providing the reader with the underlying principles of how to build sustainably and then assesses many of the tools required for the task. From energy to materials and from procurement to operation, all aspects play their part in turning a theoretically sustainable building project into a reality. There are many guidelines for the designer on how to maximise the sustainability of buildings but this resource text supplements these by focusing on the construction and operational aspects of sustainable buildings, as well as some of the more fundamental design-related considerations.

In situ thermal conductivity measurements of building materials with a thermal probe

Transient line source measurements have been employed in various industries, e.g., plastics, foodstuffs, and refractory bricks, to measure thermal conductivity and sometimes thermal diffusivity. Measurements have traditionally been carried out in carefully controlled thermal environments. In pursuance of better data to inform energy efficiency calculations for building envelopes, a transient line source using thermal probe technology is assessed for in situ measurements, where materials may be subject to varied moisture content under diverse environmental conditions. A robust stand alone field apparatus has been developed. Laboratory based measurements have been undertaken, and results are reported for agar immobilized water and polytetrafluoroethylene, as well as aerated concrete and oak at specific moisture contents. The field apparatus was used to measure in situ the thermal properties of walls in real buildings, one of aerated concrete and one of mass earth construction. A new and simplified method of identifying appropriate analysis time windows has been developed, which allows an assessment of confidence levels in thermal conductivity results. Thermal diffusivity results were discounted as the effects of contact resistance between the probe and sample could not be differentiated from the heat capacity effects of the sample material. Valid thermal conductivity results were achieved for reference materials containing moisture and in situ measurements. The in situ thermal conductivity values were shown to be at significant variance with design values. Consistent thermal conductivity results were achieved for common building materials above 0.15 W⋅m −1⋅K−1, and indicative results were achieved for values below this despite measurements being taken under varying environmental conditions. The principal cause of error in the measurement of materials with higher thermal resistance was identified.

A comparative analysis of implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in the Mediterranean

Purpose – The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2002/91/EC introduced various obligatory requirements intended to achieve the reduction of use of energy resources in buildings. This directive had to be transposed into national legislation by the EU member states. Concurrently the European Committee for Standardisation developed a number of technical standards to assist member states to define the methodology for the calculation of the energy performance of buildings. The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative review of the relationship between the European directive and the standards, and the different country legislation and methodologies that have been implemented in Malta, Italy, Spain and Cyprus.Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is based on a review of national legislation in the four states. Reference is also made to publications by the Concerted Action for the EPBD and to related publications by the national bodies responsible for the implementation of the EPBD. Th...

Sustainability of solid brick walls with retrofitted external hemp‐lime insulation

Purpose – Dwellings constructed before 1920 often had solid brick walls with poor thermal performance. Today there is a drive to reduce both energy demand and carbon dioxide production. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that mixtures of chopped hemp straw with lime based binders added to the external surface of brick walls can substantially reduce the air to air thermal transmittance, or U‐value W/m2 K, and that these mixtures provide a sustainable remedial treatment for solid brick walls. The aim is to achieve wall U‐values as good as, or better than, the current UK Building Regulations design value of 0.30 W/m2 K.Design/methodology/approach – Several Microsoft Excel spread sheets have been constructed to determine the steady state and transient thermal properties of various brick walls. These spread sheets are validated by comparing their output with the published thermal data to be found in the CIBSE Design Guide. The sustainable aspects of a number of different externally hemp‐lime insulated...

Evolution and validation of a thermal probe model

This article describes the progress on the modelling of a thermal probe apparatus for in situ measurement of the thermal properties of construction materials, using the commercial heat transfer simulation program Voltra. The article describes the evolution from a model representing a theoretical line source to a model representing a two-dimensional elementary thermal probe. The new model uses a more dense spatial grid. The results of simulations modelling a solid stainless steel probe, and a stainless steel shell filled with glass inserted into stabilized water (agar), glycerine with fibre, toothpaste and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are described. These models are validated using data obtained through recent laboratory studies; continuity with the earlier work is demonstrated. Comparison of simulation results with experimental data confirms that percentage errors for conductivity and diffusivity are lowest for the model of the glass-filled probe.

An assessment of the potential returns of energy certificates for the UK household sector

Purpose – This article seeks to investigate the interconnections between the expectations of the impact of energy certificates issued within the UK domestic building sector through the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the actual number and financial implications of the energy saving measures (ESMs) achieved.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology uses two previously published surveys and compares these with a third independent survey by the authors focusing upon the discrepancies between planned action and implemented action, introducing the term human factor element (hfe).Findings – The article concludes that annual carbon savings arising from implementation of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) may be as low as 73.4 ktC over the five year term of the Kyoto Protocol even though 44 per cent of energy saving measure costs of £200 million are recouped within the same time period and savings will continue for up to 40 years. Achieving annual savings of only 14.7 ktC by 2010, s...