Transform-ER’s exciting new retrofit delivery model has been demonstrated on a home on the Becontree Estate in Barking and Dagenham, the UK’s largest social housing estate. This has been part funded via Innovate UK, Thames Freeport and delivery partners.
Designed and delivered by Bow Tie Construction, the demonstrator is using Ultrapanel Building Technologies’ next generation external wall insulation (EWI) with integrated ventilation, plumbing and renewable energy generation to create a full home retrofit solution.
Its focus is on testing installation time and performance of innovative manufactured products, a low disruption method for installing ventilation, and Transform-ER digital resident engagement platform.
Offsite solutions for quicker install and higher performance
The Transform-ER project has allowed Ultrapanel to further develop its external wall insulation – an offsite manufactured solution, which uses a 3D scan and innovative survey techniques to configure solutions to precisely fit each building.
This guarantees high performance and the ease and speed with which the system can be installed means resident disruption is kept to a minimum. The solution has already been successfully installed on a similar housing archetype in the local area.
In-house modelling done by Bow Tie Construction estimates that the house will go from its current EPC D rating to an A (93) post-retrofit.
Low disruption ventilation and M&E
A single, low-energy central fan unit runs continuously at a low rate to maintain a steady air flow. The fan extracts air from kitchen, bathroom, space under the floor and battery box to keep it cool. All the new equipment and ducts are integrated within the external wall insulation system and installed externally without causing resident disruption.
Solar panels and a battery have also been installed, with careful planning meaning the scaffolding will only be up for three weeks. The system uses a bespoke continuously ventilated battery box that allows for installation of large battery and inverter in the back garden. This allows easy maintenance and avoids overheating and fire risks.
Resident-first retrofit
Transform-ER is rethinking resident engagement so that tenants feel home energy upgrades are done with, not to, them. This includes a new digital platform that supports co-design, two-way dialogue and targeted support.
An initial conversation with the resident focused on finding out the challenges she currently had in her home. This included issues with rats, poor water pressure and a need for more storage.
Fixes for all of these were factored into the retrofit – including filling holes in the walls, boarding the loft and adding a new water pump. These were low-cost but meant the resident felt listened to and has fully bought into the process.
The lead for the main contractor also spent 20 minutes fixing the front door which was sticking and could have caused maintenance issues down the line – a win for both resident and landlord.
Watch the short video below to see the development of the demonstrator project.
I am very happy. The team was lovely and hardworking. I was also excited to see my extra loft storage completed – something I had requested.