Adra – Fabric First Retrofit – Criccieth, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd

Background:

The project specifically targeted 74 homes within Adra’s housing portfolio, focusing on enhancing energy efficiency through a series of retrofit measures. The primary interventions included funding work that was to be carried out using a ‘fabric first’ approach; External Wall Insulation, Intelligent Energy Systems, Doors and Windows that would contribute to significantly enhancing the EPC rating of a vast range of properties across Adra’s portfolio. As well as contributing to the end-goal of the decarbonisation of homes, ORP funding is also a major contributing factor to ensuring the overall living standards for Adra’s tenants is ensured and enhanced. Ultimately, as time goes on, our tenants will reap the benefits of the systems implemented from the scheme, by lowering energy bills and ensuring a more comfortable environment within their respective homes. The expenditure of the funding was allocated towards 74 homes across four schemes within Adra’s portfolio. Covering Criccieth, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Penrhyndeudraeth.

Quality targets:

The quality targets for Adra’s ORP 2.1 project aligned with both environmental and social objectives: Energy Efficiency: A reduction in energy consumption was a key target. With a particular focus on gaining learning as we progress towards being able to fulfil the requirement of PAS2030/35, that has been set by the Welsh Government. Carbon Reduction: The project aimed to make substantial progress towards Wales’ target of net-zero carbon emissions by reducing the carbon output of the homes selected to for retrofitting. Tenant Comfort and Well-being: Beyond energy savings, the project targeted improved indoor air quality, consistent indoor temperatures, and enhanced overall living conditions for residents. Cost-effectiveness: Ensuring that the retrofitting process was financially sustainable was critical. The project involved multiple measures being completed brought together to ensure cost-effectiveness and technical effectiveness. Removal of redundant chimneys: Adra took the opportunity to remove redundant chimneys in conjunction with External Wall Insulation and roofing works. This ensures that properties were adequately ventilated and fit for future modern heating systems, whilst also removing future maintenance issues/costs that may be presented by redundant chimneys.

Project learning:

The ORP 2.1 project provided valuable learning opportunities for Adra, which are crucial for scaling up future retrofitting efforts: IES: By installing an IES system prior to retrofitting, Adra would have been able to establish baseline data on each property’s energy performance. Unfortunately, due to the timing surrounding the project, we were unable to capture pre-retrofit data Following the retrofit works the IES system provides continuous data on how the newly installed measures is performing in real-time. This data is invaluable for adjusting system performance or identifying issues early, further work was required by Adra to analyse the data captured. Resident Engagement: A key lesson was the importance of engaging with residents early and continuously throughout the project. A dedicated Adra TLO (Tenant Liaison Officer) working closely with the tenants and contractors. Effective communication helped in managing expectations and ensured that residents were informed about how to use new technologies like smart energy monitors effectively. Internal workforce: One key challenge, was the need to upskill and adapt the internal workforce to effectively install the external wall insulation systems. This was particularly significant as there was a noticeable skills gap in the sector regarding external wall insulation. To address this, Adra workforce had access to training via the Tŷ Gwyrddfai Decarbonisation Hub, in partnership with Weber Saint-Gobain. Additionally, there were challenges in managing the increased workload as the ORP 2.1 involved extensive planning and the coordination of multiple contractors. This required Adra’s internal teams to work closely with external partners, ensuring alignment on project timelines and goals. Despite these challenges, Adra’s commitment to fostering a well-trained workforce and improving its internal capabilities helped mitigate the difficulties of delivering a complex decarbonisation programme. Technical Challenges: The project highlighted the need for flexibility in addressing technical challenges, such as variations within the installation process. Some homes required more extensive work than others, relative to the comparative condition of the property, which necessitated adaptive approaches to retrofitting. Despite houses within the same schemes sharing an array of similarities, being alert to minor discrepancies between the properties (prior to carrying out the retrofit works) was integral to ensure the timescale set for the retrofitting process was adhered to as close as possible.

Project innovation:

Our ORP 2.1 project introduced several innovations aimed at reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency in social housing: Fabric-First Approach: One of the project’s key innovations is its fabric-first approach, which focuses on improving the building’s envelope (walls, windows, doors) before introducing new technologies (such as Air Source Heat Pumps, Solar PV’s and battery storage etc.). This method ensures that energy demand is minimised, making the homes more thermally efficient and reducing the need for excessive heating. Extending Eaves: In many of the properties, extending the eaves was necessary to accommodate new insulation systems that improved thermal efficiency. Extending the eaves involved altering the roof structure to ensure proper weatherproofing. Furthermore, extending eaves removed the need for capping trims which can cause issues in relation to water getting in behind the insulation boards. This process ensured that the newly installed insulation was both effective and durable, preventing heat loss through gaps or improper installation. Although adding eaves extension increased initial costs and timeframes, it was essential for the long-term sustainability of the energy-saving improvements and helped to meet the stringent environmental standards set by Adra. Implemented systems (Weber) – The move from traditional render application methods to pump application, using the Weber Monocouche system, marked a significant innovation. Traditionally, render was applied manually in layers, requiring skilled labour for precise application and smoothing. In contrast, the pump application method used during ORP 2.1 allowed for a more efficient process by utilising specialised spray equipment that could apply the render more quickly and consistently across surfaces This transition provided several advantages, including faster application times and the ability to achieve a more uniform finish. The pump application system also allowed for better control over the thickness of the render, which is critical for ensuring optimal thermal performance in retrofitting projects. The change also aligned with Adra’s goal to enhance productivity and reduce the overall cost of retrofitting while maintaining high standards of quality and finish for external wall insulation.

Challenges:

While innovative in its use of intelligent energy systems and fabric-first approaches, Adra faced challenges presented by a retrofit project of this scale: COVID – Adra’s ORP 2.1 experienced several challenges due to supply chain disruptions, largely resulting from the impact of COVID-19. The pandemic caused delays and increased costs, as lockdowns, restrictions on movement, and global supply chain bottlenecks affected the timely delivery of materials and products. Additionally, Adra faced difficulties in workforce management, as training programs were disrupted, and skilled labour was limited due to health concerns and social distancing measures. These factors compounded the challenges of retrofitting homes while maintaining progress on carbon reduction and energy efficiency goals. Disruption to Residents: Retrofit projects involving insulation, new windows, and energy systems can be highly disruptive to tenants. Ensuring minimal disruption while carrying out extensive works across 74 homes is another challenge, particularly when homes remain occupied during the retrofit. The installation of IES systems was particularly difficult at times due to space requirements for the equipment. Keeping tenants informed through making them aware of the long-lasting benefits that were to be gained from the temporary works to retrofit their property was a priority. Energy Performance Monitoring: A key part of the project involves monitoring the energy performance of homes post-installation. This adds another layer of complexity as it requires both the installation of monitoring systems and the ability to interpret the data to measure success accurately. Monitoring the performance of new energy systems enables Adra to take the data on board, and use accordingly for future projects, with the hope of continuously evolving in terms of which systems deliver maximum efficiency for both the tenant and organisation. Addressing these challenges, which varied throughout the process, was crucial to the project’s success in achieving the energy efficiency goals outlined by Adra prior to carrying out the work funded by the programme.