Stockmore Street - EnerPHit
Our Stockmore Street project continues to progress with the EnerPHit house being skimmed and the mist coat (the diluted first coat of paint) applied. The project nears its completion, the client can now visualise the fantastic space she has added to her home.
A key component to the EnerPHit upgrade to this property is the installation of the air source heat pump (ASHP) and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) which has arrived on site and will be installed soon. The ASHP provides the hot water supply and additional heating (similar to an air conditioning unit in reverse) whilst the MVHR unit provides circulation and provision of fresh air to the property. This is a significant investment for many property owners compared to a gas boiler and non-mechanical ventilation, however there is a government grant scheme “The Boiler upgrade scheme (BUS)” available providing a £5000 grant towards the cost and installation. There are a number of obligations to meet the requirements of this scheme including providing adequate heat sources for each room size by means of large radiators or under floor heating. It is key to note that ASHP typically provide water to a heating system at a lower temperature than gas or oil alternatives, which means the radiators required are substantially larger to meet the output needs. The ASHP pump and a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery pump (MVHR) will provide the house with its heating and ventilation for this retrofitted passive house.
A Passive or EnerPHit house is an investment, as there are additional costs vs a traditional house build. Once the construction is completed the house’s energy consumption is reduced and the air quality is improved as there is a smaller risk of developing damp and mouldy areas.
The neighbouring property has also seen some development and a few hurdles have had to be overcome including minor adjustment to roof openings to adapt for the electric triple glazed roof lights being installed over the next two week. The client has also requested an ASHP typically being a more efficient energy source than a Gas boiler supply but the energy supplier (SSE) has to assess if the loading to the property is within the maximum 100A. The single phase (240V) supply to the property can provide a maximum current but with the addition of a fast car charger and ASHP this could be exceeded. There are a few solutions to this issue which have been discussed and reviewed by the client and team. A 3 phase electrical installation upgrade to all the electrical wiring is one option but the cost is often prohibitive. A simpler alternative is to reduce the current needed by installing a slower car charger, which will still allow the client to charge their car overnight.
Work has had to be halted on the property until the energy supplier has completed their assessment and key decisions made on site as to how best to proceed to meet the clients needs.