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| retf:retrofitting [2025/12/12 16:26] – Dave Darby | retf:retrofitting [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 | ||
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| - | # Low-impact retrofitting | + | This topic is part of [[gt: |
| + | ====== Retrofitting | ||
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| - | ## What is low-impact retrofitting / refurbishment? | + | ===== What is low-impact retrofitting / refurbishment? |
| Retrofitting is about existing buildings. Not everyone has the opportunity to [build a natural home](http:// | Retrofitting is about existing buildings. Not everyone has the opportunity to [build a natural home](http:// | ||
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| - | The average home in the UK loses 30% of its heat through the building fabric, Including roof, walls, windows and doors, and so by insulating and draughtproofing, | + | _The average home in the UK loses 30% of its heat through the building fabric, Including roof, walls, windows and doors, and so by insulating and draughtproofing, |
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| - | Insulate | + | _Insulate |
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| Most people don't really understand the fabric of their buildings, and so we tend to put all the responsibility for a retrofit project onto the builder who gives the quote. It's in your interest to have some knowledge beforehand, or you could end up spending more money than necessary and/or making the wrong decisions. Lack of understanding leaves you open to unwittingly using materials that can be damaging, and require more work (and money) to put right later. | Most people don't really understand the fabric of their buildings, and so we tend to put all the responsibility for a retrofit project onto the builder who gives the quote. It's in your interest to have some knowledge beforehand, or you could end up spending more money than necessary and/or making the wrong decisions. Lack of understanding leaves you open to unwittingly using materials that can be damaging, and require more work (and money) to put right later. | ||
| - | ### History | + | ==== History |
| In post-war Britain, there was an explosion in products from the petrochemical industry. Pre-war, homes tended to be draughty and damp, and plastics were seen as the solution - wonder products that were light, hard-wearing and waterproof. Petrochemical-based products such as vinyl paints and wallpapers, synthetic sealants and plastic sheeting were used to waterproof our homes, creating unhealthy internal environments due to condensation and mould. The synthetic measures didn't increase the comfort of the property, and created as many problems as they solved. Trapped moisture in houses is unhealthy for people, and moisture trapped in the fabric of the building is damaging for the building itself. Breathability and ventilation are essential ingredients of the retrofit concept. Without them, a building and its inhabitants will suffer. Petrochemical-based products prevent breathability. Also, in the past we have tended to prioritise total draught exclusion without giving enough consideration to ventilation. | In post-war Britain, there was an explosion in products from the petrochemical industry. Pre-war, homes tended to be draughty and damp, and plastics were seen as the solution - wonder products that were light, hard-wearing and waterproof. Petrochemical-based products such as vinyl paints and wallpapers, synthetic sealants and plastic sheeting were used to waterproof our homes, creating unhealthy internal environments due to condensation and mould. The synthetic measures didn't increase the comfort of the property, and created as many problems as they solved. Trapped moisture in houses is unhealthy for people, and moisture trapped in the fabric of the building is damaging for the building itself. Breathability and ventilation are essential ingredients of the retrofit concept. Without them, a building and its inhabitants will suffer. Petrochemical-based products prevent breathability. Also, in the past we have tended to prioritise total draught exclusion without giving enough consideration to ventilation. | ||
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| - | Make sure that you have thermostatic valves on your radiators, so that you can heat rooms individually, | + | _Make sure that you have thermostatic valves on your radiators, so that you can heat rooms individually, |
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| - | ## What are the benefits of low-impact retrofitting? | + | ===== What are the benefits of low-impact retrofitting? |
| The main benefits of a good retrofit are: | The main benefits of a good retrofit are: | ||
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| - | A 10-minute guide to radical refit from the Green Building | + | _A 10-minute guide to radical refit from the Green Building |
| </ | </ | ||
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| - | ## What can I do? | + | ===== What can I do? ===== |
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| - | If you have a whole house retrofit plan, you can take opportunities as they arise - for example, if you install a new hot water cylinder, make sure it's a twin-coil so that solar hot water can be connected to it when you're ready. | + | _If you have a whole house retrofit plan, you can take opportunities as they arise - for example, if you install a new hot water cylinder, make sure it's a twin-coil so that solar hot water can be connected to it when you're ready._ |
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| - | Make sure that all paints and finishes are natural and breathable, for the health of your building and the people in it. | + | _Make sure that all paints and finishes are natural and breathable, for the health of your building and the people in it._ |
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| - | Retrofit | + | _Retrofit |
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| - | Simple | + | _Simple |
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| - | ## Further resources | + | ===== Forum ===== |
| + | |||
| + | This topic belongs to the section [[gt: | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Further resources | ||
| - [Centre for Sustainable Energy](https:// | - [Centre for Sustainable Energy](https:// | ||
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| - | ## Specialists | + | ===== Related topics ===== |
| + | |||
| + | - [[ensa: | ||
| + | - [[diys: | ||
| + | - [[plan: | ||
| + | - [[clts: | ||
| + | - [[ptrn: | ||
| + | - [[buil: | ||
| + | - [[insu: | ||
| + | - [[ntpa: | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Specialist curators of this topic ===== | ||