NEWS | DIGEST EU quality assurance scheme targets retrofit Government to study hard-to-treat homes University College Londons Bartlett School of Architecture has teamed up with consultancy DG Cities on a government-commissioned study into hard-to-decarbonise housing. The study is seeking input from practitioners and experts across industry to help map solutions for the estimated 10 million British homes that are difficult to insulate or improve. Initiated by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, it aims to identify these homes, define what makes them hard to treat, and develop a framework to inform policy and guidance. Ed Houghton, head of research and service design at DG Cities, said: This isnt just about buildings; its about people hard to treat doesnt just mean the properties, but also the diversity of ownership, needs and uses, as well as the time and budget residents can spend. The project is about understanding how government and industry can ensure nobody is left behind when it comes to decarbonisation. outPHit concept complies with Passivhaus EnerPHit standard An EU-funded retrofit project has developed a series of concepts for quality assurance in renovation projects. The energy efficiency of refurbishments is typically only independently certified upon completion of projects, according to the EU-supported outPHit project. However, the success of projects can only be assured with quality checks that begin at the design and planning phases, it says. For retrofits to reliably achieve a high level of energy efficiency, outPHit has made available the three concepts that cover the entire refurbishment process, from planning to postcompletion verification of energy consumption. The first Design Stage Approval (DSA) concept offers all parties certainty that targeted efficiency can be achieved. DSA is already being trialled in outPHits pilot projects. The second concept establishes a whole-house certification for renovation systems, which facilitates compliance with the EnerPHit standard developed by the Passive House Institute. The third concept, of verifying the energy efficiency of the building post-construction, will enable actual energy consumption to be certified when occupied, and building services settings to be adjusted as needed. We want to ensure that the refurbished buildings meet the high energy targets set once completed and offer their occupants the corresponding level of comfort, said Jan Steiger, outPHit project coordinator, at the Passive House Institute. Lack of feedback on energy consumption is a missed opportunity to optimise the construction industry. Verifying building performance will change that. The concepts were presented by outPHit at a webinar on 19 January. Launch Event April 27th London C OM PL ETE REGISTER NOW E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N T S O L U T I O N S F O R A N Y VA LV E R E Q U I R E M E N T For more than a century we have designed market leading solutions. Our variable flow valves, with outstanding hysteresis performance, can help reduce energy consumption by up to 27% based on a 10% improvement in the controlled flow rate. So, why not take comfort in our efficiencies and learn more at our Dominator Eco & Future of Variable Volume Solutions event in London on April 27th. Scan QR code to find out more. 22204_CRANE_VARIABLE_FLOW_VALVES_AD_133X186.indd 1 10 February 2023 www.cibsejournal.com 13/01/2023 13:42