Amey, a provider of critical facilities maintenance services for UK public sector and Defence is working alongside the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and SMEs to retrofit Service Family Accommodation with a series of Net Zero solutions.
Planning has recently been approved for nine military homes in Catterick to receive fabric improvements. These include the installation of external wall rendering and insulation, triple glazed windows, increased roof insulation, plus renewable energy sources such as air and ground source heat pumps and photovoltaics.
Each property has been designed to meet EnerPhit certification which is a quality-approved standard for economically and ecologically optimal energy retrofits on old buildings. This exemplar pilot project will aim to achieve >92% Net Zero Carbon In Use Energy Performance and if successful it can be used as a blueprint for additional properties across the MOD estate.
Designs have been led by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects (SWA) and close collaboration with QODA Consulting (the building physicists). It is hoped that works will commence in the summer.
Tom Silvey, Amey, Operations Director for military housing, said: “Helping our clients transition to a greener and more sustainable future is vitally important to us. Our knowledge and expertise in managing public sector estates means we are well positioned to help support energy transition activities and we hope that this project is just the beginning of this journey."
Kieron Mullen, DIO Accommodation, Head of Estate Services, said: “It’s important to decrease energy use wherever possible to minimise carbon emissions and this project is just one of the ways we’re working to reduce our environmental impact. Alongside reducing carbon emissions, this pilot project will improve thermal efficiency. This is one the areas where we are focusing improvement, to make sure homes are comfortably warm for families as well as being cheaper for them to heat.”
Rachel Pickford, SWA, Project Architect commented: "It is important to Sarah Wigglesworth Architects that we work on projects that are sustainable and people focused. This is encapsulated by the Catterick retrofit brief aspirations. The project is an exciting and ambitious proposal that will help to minimise future carbon emission whilst providing healthier and more comfortable living environments for future residents."
Once complete, these improvements will not only reduce carbon consumption but will also reduce energy costings for the residents.