Welcome
to the Low Energy Building Database, a repository of UK low-energy building information created to help inform the planning and development of low energy new build and refurbishment projects..
How Do I Use It?
You can browse projects in our database, you can also create and edit projects if you have a log-in. New users can create an account
You can filter the results to show only the Retrofit for the Future projects, or just the Passivhaus certified projects
Retrofit for the future Passivhaus certified
About This Database
During 2009 – 2010, the Technology Strategy Board implemented a £17m programme known as Retrofit for the Future (RfF), to kick-start the retrofitting of the UK's social housing stock.
AECB – the sustainable building association was asked to develop appropriate energy performance targets for the competition and provide ongoing support and guidance.
The AECB and the TSB have developed this database as an education and dissemination tool, incorporating both the RfF projects as well as new and refurbished domestic and non-domestic low energy buildings.
RfF projects
The RfF programme was split into two phases, Phase 1 saw 194 design and feasibility studies developed, while Phase 2 took 86 of these studies and funded the implementation of the retrofits proposals. All 86 RfF projects that were accepted for Phase 2 funding are included in this database. Phase 1 design data for each project is included and over the period 2010 – 2011 the project teams will gradually populate the remaining database sections with additional information concerning the actual performance of their projects based on the RfF, Energy Saving Trust (EST) managed monitoring and feedback programme.
Each of the projects will see innovative plans put in place for low carbon refits of existing low-rise social housing that will meet the UK government's target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions of 80% by 2050, while also cutting energy use dramatically.
Programme applicants were asked to develop whole house retrofit solutions that would result in deep cuts to CO₂ emissions whilst also significantly improving energy performance. Applicants were required to take a 'whole house' approach, i.e. to consider a household's energy needs and carbon dioxide impacts as a whole, and establish a comprehensive package of measures to reduce them.
Energy performance targets for the programme (based on an 80% reduction in CO₂ from an average 1990 baseline for a typical 80m² semi-detached house of 97 kg CO₂/m².yr) were therefore set as:
- CO₂ Target : 17 kg/m².yr (if modelled in SAP) and 20 kg/m².yr (if modeled in PHPP * )
- Primary Energy Target: 115 kWh/m².yr
- Space Heating: No specific target but if the above targets are met, space heating requirements should necessarily be low (i.e. around 40kWh/m².yr)
* Passivhaus Planning Package software
AECB members’ projects
In addition to the RfF projects the database contains a growing number of low energy projects, owned, designed or constructed by AECB members.
