FEATURE FABRIC FIRST
Reducing Energy Consumption The UK’s net zero targets can only be achieved if its housing stock is improved and made more energy efficient. One Yorkshire developer is doing just that with the help of specialist insulation.
F
our years ago, Leeds-based sustainable developer Citu
Supafil Frame can be run by a single operator, fits easily into the
set out to create homes 10 times more energy efficient
existing production line, and can even be moved quickly and swiftly to
than typical UK houses. To do this, the company invested
other areas in the manufacturing facility depending on Citu’s volume
in a state-of-the-art production facility where all the
capacity requirements. Knauf Insulation’s technical support team
components for its properties are built offsite.
provided full training and support during each phase of installation.
Thermal performance is critical to energy efficiency. Citu wanted to go far beyond the regulations to achieve wall build-ups with an extremely
Insulating the panels
low U-value of just 0.10W/m2K. This is at least three times better than
Citu homes are manufactured from timber panels with a 300mm cavity.
the U-value achieved in most new build homes and fifteen times better
The blowing plate is positioned over the panel completely covering the cavity.
than older houses. Citu turned to Knauf Insulation for advice and support
Supafil is then blown into the wooden frame to the specific parameters of
in developing the offsite capability required for this level of thermal
each panel. All cavities are filled to the correct thickness: something that
performance. Knauf Insulation’s technical support team undertook extensive
has been carefully calculated and tested by the Knauf Insulation to ensure
calculations and recommended the Blowing Plate Insulation System to install
settlement does not occur. And because the machine is programmed to
Supafil Frame – a high performance, non-combustible blowing wool.
install the exact quantity of insulation required, there’s no waste.
Supafil Blowing Wool lends itself to offsite production because
Supafil is a high-performance Blowing Wool. It is non-combustible
it completely fills the cavity, without any voids even around complex
with Euroclass A1 Reaction to Fire Classification rating as well as
penetrations – something that can occur when insulation slabs or rolls are
providing excellent thermal and acoustic performance. It contains
cut to size. It is also a dry process, so operatives are not exposed to any
a silicone-based additive to ensure it is water repellent. As well as
harmful chemicals and it doesn’t require a dedicated production line. Instead,
providing excellent thermal performance, Supafil has great sustainability
the system comprises a blowing machine and a filling plate. The system is
credentials. Knauf Insulation’s glass mineral wool contains up to 80% of
modular allowing for phased investment. Citu opted to install the blowing
recycled content. This reduces the amount of virgin materials used and
machine in phase one, which allowed them to manually fill the panels. Phase
prevents around 60,000 tonnes of glass a year (350 million bottles) from
two saw the addition of the blowing plate, semi-automating the process.
going to landfill or polluting the environment. Knauf Insulation has also invested in advanced compression packaging. This means
Low Carbon Homes
there’s less packaging used, so fewer lorries on the roads leading to a reduction in transport
The Citu Home uses a timber framed
carbon emissions. All of which helps to support
design, so each house stores 23
Citu’s goal that every home should be carbon
tonnes of carbon and prevents and
zero to manufacture. By combining modern
prevents the emissions of 88 tonnes of
methods of construction with the very highest
carbon dioxide, compared to building
levels of thermal performance, Citu and Knauf
an equivalent masonry house. That’s
Insulation are creating homes that reduce
roughly the same as taking 19 cars of the road for one year. Older houses have U-values of
energy consumption and carbon emissions –
around 1.5 W/(m2K). Typical newbuilds are around 0.3-0.6 W/(m2K). The walls in Citu houses
homes that are fit for the future.
achieve U-values of 0.1 W/(m2K). When combined with the Citu homes’ other features it means energy requirements are between 7 and 10 times lower than the UK average house.
More at www.citu.co.uk www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
Timber Construction Magazine
Summer 2021
14
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