News
Huge carbon savings at the Ethelred Estate
24 January 2011
The regeneration of the Ethelred estate is nearing it’s completion and SAP modelling of three- bedroom flats before and after the works, under taken by Carbon Descent, have seen an 80% reduction in carbon (CO2).
Lambeth’s goal on the Ethelred project was to deliver warmer homes, refurbished to beyond Decent Homes standards to benefit our residents, but also to achieve the highest affordable carbon reduction, reflecting the London Plan energy hierarchy by addressing energy efficiency, and using low carbon technology (communal heating with CHP) and renewable energy. In addition a reduction of up to 25% in the Landlord’s carbon for communal areas (the electricity used for lifts/ staircase lighting etc) has been modelled.
The refurbishment includes:
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High performance rendering to all external elevations
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Installation of Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Panels to South and West elevations
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Recycled aluminium windows -high performance double glazed units, which will contribute to the building’s improved thermal performance
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New communal boilers and a Combined heat and power plant (310KWe) to further reduce Carbon (CO2) emissions
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New green sedum roofs to further increase insulation, and improve biodiversity
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PV Panels and CHP engine, will supply power for lighting, lifts, pumps, CCTV and Alarm System. Lambeth Council will benefit via a revenue stream from surplus electricity sold to the grid and from the ‘Feed in Tariff’ for solar PV.
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Buffer Vessels - storing the excess heat generated by the CHP, drawn off when the systems demand is greater, reducing gas needed by the new communal boilers
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The dramatic improvement in energy efficiency should ensure residents no longer need to use expensive electric fires. Old warm air heating units have been replaced with wet radiators with room thermostats and heating programmer.
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Achieve Air Permeability from existing rating of 1.7 to a predicted 1 therefore providing an air tight environment to every property
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Achieve Sustainable construction best practice at 93%+ construction waste recycled
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To provide new opportunities for training, including Apprenticeships, leading to potential full time employment for local Lambeth residents