Industry Leader Case Studies: Keepmoat Whole House Retrofits, Liverpool

Friday, 12 August 2011 14:09

The aim of the Daneville Estate Project, undertaken by Keepmoat on behalf of Liverpool Mutual Homes (LMH) was to transform 630 properties, many of which had remained empty for 30 years, into attractive, desirable and energy efficient places to live.

The properties were in various stages of disrepair, with many properties suffering significant structural problems. The properties had been earmarked for demolition, but the local community wanted them to stay. In partnership with LMH, Keepmoat committed to delivering a programme of improvements to dramatically reduce the carbon emissions from the properties, including the mass installation of the Structherm cladding system to the external walls of all properties.

The Boswell House construction on the Daneville Estate dates back to the 1920s. Prior to Keepmoat carrying out our retrofitting work, the “U” value (a measure of a building’s insulation properties, with a lower number indicating a lower level of heat loss) for the Boswell House walls was approximately 1.55 W/m²K. The new Structherm structural cladding system has significantly improved the wall “U” value to approximately 0.29 W/m²K. Alongside the cladding, refurbishments also included improved roof and loft insulation; new central heating systems with A-rated boilers and TRVs; the installation of new energy efficient windows and doors; and the addition of dual flush cisterns to the toilets to reduce water consumption.

Overall, the improvements produced a significant reduction in carbon emissions. A typical unit which initially emitted 8 tonnes of carbon per annum has been reduced to 2.11 tonnes per annum, with a total across the estate of 3,534 tonnes every year (74%). So dramatic was this improvement, that the project was recognised with the ‘Reducing Carbon Award’ at the 2009 HCA Awards.

“I know that when I get off the bus now, I like looking at my house. Before it was really yuck, they all were. Now I get off the bus and I think that’s my house”

- Daneville Resident

Project Summary

Organisation: Keepmoat and Liverpool Mutual Homes (LMH)
Project costs: £30 million (total cost for 630 homes, including non energy efficiency elements)
Measures installed: roof and loft insulation, new central heating systems with A-rated boilers and TRVs, new high performance windows and doors, dual flush cisterns.
Annual emissions reductions achieved: 74%
Annual energy bill reductions achieved: 70%