Abstract
The uptake of low-carbon domestic heating systems is a significant strategy towards global targets of reducing greenhouse emissions and mitigating climate change. Pre-1900 hard-to-treat houses will still be existing in the next 25 years, and they have the greatest potential for improved energy-efficiency. This study investigates the potential of fabric retrofit to prepare an older, hard-to-treat house type for heat pump use. The house type was modelled in DesignBuilder and validated using the Ulster University test house. The wall, loft and floor insulation, as well as glazing upgrades can yield up to 50% reduction in heating demand for a hard-to-treat house type, thereby preparing it for heat pump installation. Additionally, upgrading insulation and glazing in line with the current building standards was cost-effective, with a net present value of approximately GBP 12,000.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 4939 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-29 |
| Number of pages | 29 |
| Journal | Energies |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 19 |
| Early online date | 2 Oct 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published online - 2 Oct 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2024 by the authors.
Data Access Statement
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.Keywords
- energy-efficiency
- hard-to-treat houses
- pre-1919 houses
- solid walls
- heat pumps
- Northern Ireland
