Electrical Contractors Association Paul Reeve CFIOSH FIEMA ECA

Electrical Contractors’ Association Paul Reeve CFIOSH FIEMA ECA Head of Safety and Environment Green installation - so what’s working? Jan 2009

What we are going to cover. . . Case studies • The application of green measures to existing buildings - renovation project - feasibility exercise • Outline some pros and cons of various electrical installation options

UK slowly getting to grips with new build…

…but what about existing buildings!? “ the vast bulk of the buildings that will be standing in 2020 were built decades ago…” “most 2050 buildings are already standing. . . ”

Demonstration project for existing house • Victorian (1870) • A conventional ‘semi’ • Solid walled • No south facing roofs! • Originally - poor insulation - six different window types

Major refurbishment and extension Structural repair and extension (loft) Re-wiring New windows Damp-proofing Ongoing project aimed at: Provide data Use widely available materials/systems Apply/measure as many methods as possible

‘Kitchen sink’ of green measures – Heating • Insulation – lots of it • Windows • Underfloor heating • Biomass / condensing • Solar thermal – Electrical • suitable electrics • controls • lamps

Annual CO 2 emissions allocation (kgs) Demonstration Project – key outcomes so far

Demonstration Project – key outcomes • • Eco-measures were 15% of total refurbishment cost Economic pay-back 7 -8 years on average. 55% reduction in CO 2 from draughtproofing/insulation Cost of measures linked to logistics and ease of installation • Good control equipment is important • ‘Whole house plan’ works best • Get the green measures right when doing other work

Contact for the ‘green refurbished house’ project… Russell Smith info@parityprojects. com 0208 296 0863 (www. parityprojects. com)

Feasibility study- a larger house All options considered Best for this house includes: Insulation (!) New boiler/solar thermal Wood burner (local heating) Smarter energy meter ‘Greener electrics’ (switches, wiring, lamps) Better controls

Annex heated by electric wall heaters…

‘Air to air’ heat pump may be one answer…

Hierarchy for reducing a building’s ‘carbon footprint’

Modifying domestic use Measuring/displaying energy use ‘Smart meters’ have been shown to reduce user consumption… Avoid wasting energy Lighting – passive infra-red (PIR) sensors can stop profligate waste… - don’t forget external lighting (sensors)

Energy efficient lighting Lighting technology is moving on apace Conventional tungsten lamps on the way out - by law! It seems likely that lighting manufacturers will fill the gap… Myth – “you can’t use CFLs with dimmer switches” “Yes you can and now” – using some CFLs from reputable names…

What about LEDs? Many impediments to using LEDs Applications need: • specific situations • good quality luminaires • fittings designed for an LED light source Domestic customers need to choose carefully – tends to mean they don’t want LED! Best potential applications include: - stairway, hall/landing, bathrooms - but not living or dining rooms! One for the (nearish? ) future…

Energy Efficiency Measures • Localised instead of general lighting 60 -80% (dimming lights saves energy too and boosts lamp life) • High frequency ballasts for fluorescent lamps 15 -20% • Replace old fluorescents with HF T 5 versions 20 -25% • Tri-phosphor coated fluorescent tubes 30% (cf basic tubes) • Lighting controls 20 -50% • Use LEDs where appropriate 50 -75% % = savings in energy use

Electrical opportunities abound – so it’s not all about PV! • • • Insulate first then…. More efficient use Smart metering Smart homes Efficient use (photo timers/sensors) Lighting Controls - thermostats and programmables Renewable PV systems Note: ‘M&E’ provides even more options. . .

PV installation – a tale of many projects…

Energy is not just a ‘green’ issue. . . If you see energy as a supply issue - renewables look a lot better!!

In space renewable options are limited!

Conclusions In the two domestic premises we looked at… • Insulation is king • Good control of energy use is essential • Cost of installation is a dominant factor • Lighting offers quick wins at (relatively) low cost

Safety and reliability is paramount… Any green installation programme will be at risk if: Installations do not deliver Public (and employee) safety is compromised This means competent design, installation and servicing

Green installation - so what works?