Project Case Studies

External wall insulation or cavity wall insulation? Both!

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A couple who are participants on the Eco n’Home project in France have just moved house from a 1730’s apartment to a much newer, 1970’s house. The new house, of 80m2, consists of a cellar, ground floor and a large attic. Their energy consumption is 11500 kWh of fuel per year, 2500 kWh of wood and 3700 kWh of electricity per year. The house currently has an energy rating of ‘Class D’ (225 kWh primary/m ²); the house has single glazed windows, no cavity wall insulation, the cellar is only partially insulated and the loft insulation is only 7cm thick and is of poor quality. It has an old closed fireplace but does not have a programmable thermostat.

With the recommendations through the Eco n’Home project, the house can easily reach an energy rating of ‘Class B’, or if all measures are implemented, even ‘Class A’ (51 kWh primary/m ²). Although the couple had already budgeted to fit external wall boarding, an initial visit by Heol (Local Energy Agency in Morlaix) recommended they also fitted cavity wall insulation. The couple are now going ahead with both of these measures which should be completed in March 2008. The energy visit also made a comparison with the current wool insulation with newer cellulose wadding which could greatly improve the insulation’s quality. The couple are continuing to install smaller measures such as fitting low energy light bulbs and multi-switch plugs on appliances. The couple are also now closer to town and can cycle into the centre. This example shows the important role of Eco n’Home in influencing a family’s decision to become more energy efficient.

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