SuperHome 134 (of 190)─Reading Eastern Avenue Semi-detached, built 1873, four floors, solid walls Jonathan Gregory Homeowner Climate Scientist, University of Reading and Met Office

Continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and changes in all components of the climate system. Limiting climate change will require substantial and sustained reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) The Climate Change Act established a target for the UK to reduce its emissions by at least 80% from 1990 levels by This target is an appropriate UK contribution to global emission reductions consistent with limiting global temperature rise to as little as possible above 2°C. (UK Committee on Climate Change) SuperHomes are old buildings which have been refurbished by their present owners to reduce their CO 2 emissions by at least 60%. Reduction of CO 2 emissions

Exterior insulation of gable-end wall by creating a cavity 190 mm Celotex, u=0.12 W m -2 K -1, cf. Part L 0.18Window surround recreated Roof extended Original wall Two bricks thick u≈2 W m -2 K -1 New wall One brick thick 71 m 2 Loft and ceiling insulated

Exterior insulation of gable-end wall by creating a cavity 1.5 bricks Conduit from photovoltaic panels New double-glazed wooden sash window WER E, u=1.9 W m -2 K -1 Fanned balanced boiler flue Boiler condensate outflow pipe

Exterior insulation of gable-end wall by creating a cavity Original wall New cavity Existing insulation New double-glazed uPVC sash window, WER C, u=1.5 W m -2 K -1

Interior insulation of other external walls New plasterboard wall 100 mm Celotex, u=0.23 W m -2 K -1 Original shutter boxNew wood panelling

Solar energy Photovoltaic panel (electricity)Thermal panel (hot water)

Solar energy PV system kWp PV system kWp Thermal 

Hot-water system (Solar thermal panel)

Wood-burning stove in sitting-room 5 kW output, stainless-steel liner in existing chimney, 1 m 3 wood per winter

? Solar thermal panel Side wall About 3/4 of consumption National average Electricity import reduced by 1/3

National average is about 8 tonnes for houses of this age, size and occupancy

Summary External wall and loft insulation, solar thermal and solar photovoltaic energy generation, double glazing and heating by wood-burning (instead of gas) have reduced energy import and CO 2 emission by about 2/3 (SuperHomes say 64%). Participated in three SuperHomes open days, tours for people each time. EPC band C (73) – may be higher now, could probably get to B. Insulate external walls and floor of kitchen, small extension, triple glazing. Insulate beneath suspended floor of sitting-room. Investigate air-source heat-pump for central heating.