In-situ monitoring of thermal refurbishment on pre-1919 properties in Scotland

Abstract

This work analyses the use of in-situ monitoring techniques to establish the building performance of pre-1919 traditionally constructed buildings and evaluate different thermal refurbishment strategies using component U-values as a recognised indicator of building envelope performance. The buildings monitored were of traditional construction (solid wall), some of which were listed or in a conservation area, constructed from lime‐bonded rubble or ashlar, typically circa 500 mm thick, with natural slate or tile roofs, timber doors and single glazed windows. In-situ pre-intervention Uvalues were obtained after monitoring each building component constituting the existing building envelope and again at post-intervention; where insulation materials were added at varying interfaces. Using the improvement data two case studies were modelled using the UK Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) software; showing that significantly reduced levels of building heat loss and carbon dioxide emission were achieved after thermal rehabilitation..