The Low-Carbon Retrofit of a UK Conservation Area Terrace: Introducing a Pattern Book of Energy-Saving Details

Abstract

This paper reports on a live UK retrofit project to a large terraced dwelling in Liverpool, built circa 1875. The retrofit project introduces a range of measures to improve the energy efficiency of, and therefore reduce carbon dioxide emissions from a larger terraced house. The architectural detailing that has been developed by the first author is discussed and illustrated, taking account of Conservation Area requirements and the paper sets out how the detailing has been developed to carefully respond to both the internal and external aesthetics of the property. An overall strategy for improvement is outlined and the proposed detailing is compared to existing conditions. 'Before' and 'after' heat loss and energy usage is compared and strategies for monitoring, wider implementation and future directions are also outlined. This paper will be of interest to designers, environmental engineers, landlords and contractors considering the upgrade of existing dwellings to minimize energy and carbon use and how best to assess the effectiveness of these measures when working on dwellings that have challenging planning requirements.