Fabric Retrofit of a Hard-to-Treat, Pre-1919 House in Preparation for Heat Pump Use

Oluwatobiloba Stephanie Ogunrin (), Inna Vorushylo, Christopher Wilson and Neil Hewitt
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Oluwatobiloba Stephanie Ogunrin: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, Ulster University, 2-24 York Street, Belfast BT15 1AP, UK
Inna Vorushylo: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, Ulster University, 2-24 York Street, Belfast BT15 1AP, UK
Christopher Wilson: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, Ulster University, 2-24 York Street, Belfast BT15 1AP, UK
Neil Hewitt: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, Ulster University, 2-24 York Street, Belfast BT15 1AP, UK

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-29

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.

Keywords: energy-efficiency; hard-to-treat houses; pre-1919 houses; solid walls; heat pumps; Northern Ireland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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