Life Cycle Energy Saving Strategies and Evaluation Framework for Pre-1919 Constructions

Applications accepted all year round
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

About the Project

Background:

Buildings account for approximately 40% of energy consumption and 30% of carbon emissions in the UK. Energy saving in the built environment is a critical focus area to meet government targets for reducing carbon emissions, which are supported by the continuous updates to building regulations. Over the past 20 years, significant efforts have been directed at improving the energy performance of new builds and retrofitting existing buildings. However, despite these efforts, around 50% of the UK's building stock is still rated below Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C, and a substantial portion of this comprises pre-1919 constructions.

Pre-1919 buildings present unique challenges for energy efficiency retrofitting. These buildings typically have solid walls, single-glazed windows, and lack modern insulation and ventilation systems. Their traditional construction methods were designed to maintain breathability, which makes the application of contemporary energy-saving measures problematic. Retrofitting pre-1919 buildings require a tailored approach to balance energy efficiency improvements with the preservation of the building’s structural and historical integrity.

Research Gap:

While various technologies exist to enhance the energy efficiency of older buildings, their application to pre-1919 constructions face significant limitations. For example, these buildings were designed to be breathable, with no impermeable membranes or moisture barriers. Common retrofitting methods, such as external wall insulation or increasing airtightness, can lead to unintended consequences, for instance: (1) Condensation and Damp Issues: Thicker insulation trap moisture within the solid walls, leading to damp conditions that are harmful to occupants’ health and damaging to the building’s structure; and (2) Impact on Floors: Ground source heat pumps (GSHP), though effective in reducing operational energy, may cause long-term issues such as low temperatures affecting uninsulated floor structures, leading to degradation. Besides, although there are industry guidelines and best practices for retrofitting older buildings, these are largely based on experience rather than systematic academic research.

Therefore, there is currently no comprehensive scientific methodology or evaluation framework specifically tailored for life cycle energy saving strategies in pre-1919 buildings. A robust system is needed to address these unique challenges and evaluate the effectiveness of retrofitting measures over the entire life cycle of the building.

Aim and Expected Outcome:

The aim of this research is to develop an efficient and scientifically grounded retrofitting strategy tailored for pre-1919 buildings. The study will:

1. Database Analysis and Simulation: Analyse existing building databases and conduct physical simulations to identify typical features and retrofitting challenges of pre-1919 constructions.
2. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Perform LCA for various retrofitting measures to evaluate their operational and life cycle energy performance.
3. Evaluation Framework Development: Develop a comprehensive evaluation framework that scores retrofitting options based on quantifiable criteria, including operational energy consumption, life cycle energy consumption, and impacts on the building's structural integrity and surrounding community, ensuring a balanced approach to energy efficiency, sustainability, and heritage conservation.
4. Machine Learning Integration: Use machine learning techniques to automate the optimization of retrofitting designs and enhance the predictive accuracy of retrofitting outcomes.

By utilizing this evaluation framework, practitioners will be able to design retrofitting solutions that minimize operational energy, reduce life cycle carbon emissions, and preserve the historical and structural integrity of pre-1919 buildings. The research outcomes aim to improve the scientific rigor, predictability, and efficiency of energy-saving retrofitting practices, contributing to the decarbonization of the UK’s building stock.

Funding Notes

there is no funding for this project