In August 2022, Elite acquired the Tait Road premises – a warehouse unit built in 1981 – which has been stripped out to its bare bones and retrofitted under the expert eye of RIBA Chartered Architect and Passivhaus Consultant Alida Calistru, with the aim of producing a centre for energy saving excellence.
The decision to establish this ground breaking office and showroom was made by Martyn Fowler, our chief executive and resident expert in renewable energy, where our aim was to demonstrate that even with the limitations of older infrastructure, it is possible to achieve a zero-carbon environment.
The Tait Road facility serves as both a fully functional office and a dynamic showroom, allowing clients to witness first hand the operation of various renewable technologies, rather than relying solely on brochures and second-hand information.
This achievement is the culmination of 20 years of experience working with diverse renewable technologies - read on to find out more about how these premises have been retrofitted with sustainability in mind.
The Building Fabric
The building fabric of the Trait Road facility has been completely transformed to improve energy efficiency. Insulation was added to the walls, floors, ceilings and roof to meet the new build U values, as follows:
• Walls: 100mm board insulation U = 0.18 W/m2K
• Roof: 150mm spray foam insulation U = 0.15 W/m2K
• Floors & ceilings : 100mm board and quilt insulation U = 0.18 W/m2K
Airtightness was also improved through 2 coats of plaster, whilst existing roof lights received secondary glazing (U = 1.14 W/m2K).
Energy Saving Features
In addition to the various changes made to the building fabric of the Tait Road warehouse, we’ve also added an array of additional energy saving technologies, where these include:
Ground Source Heat Pumps
One notable feature of the Tait Road facility is its exclusive reliance on a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system. Three boreholes, each drilled to a depth of 170m, provide complete heating, hot water, and even cooling for the office in a highly efficient manner.
The office employs underfloor heating on both floors for efficient heating, while cooling is accomplished through fan coil units that are automatically controlled. These fan coil units take advantage of the GSHP system's natural by-product, utilising free cooling and replenishing the energy stored in the boreholes, thereby increasing sustainability.
Air Source Heat Pumps
An Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) has also been installed on the site. Although this is not used to heat the premises, it is entirely functional in order to provide clients with a clear understanding of how this technology works. This installation demonstrates the space requirements for an ASHP whilst also addressing concerns about noise levels and aesthetics.
Solar Panels
66 solar panels have been installed on the roof alongside three battery storage systems. As a result, the facility has significantly reduced its dependence on the traditional power grid, achieving a reduction of over 95% on Grid Reliance.
Mechanical Ventilation With Heat Recovery
Recognising the importance of clean air, the Tait Road facility incorporates a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit on each floor. This system supplies fresh, filtered air to all spaces while extracting stale air. It also features heat recovery technology to preheat or cool the replacement air, maximising overall system efficiency.
Sustainable Retrofitting
These building fabric improvements and renewables technology installations synergistically work together, helping to create a sustainable, comfortable workplace. The Tait Road facility serves as a testament to the effectiveness of these technologies, and demonstrates how other offices can adapt to make similar environmentally friendly changes for the benefit of our planet.
Retrofitting buildings in the UK offers several key benefits. It improves energy efficiency, leading to reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions. This, in turn, results in cost savings
for building owners and occupants. Retrofitting has a positive environmental impact, contributing to climate change mitigation and sustainability goals. In addition to this,a retrofit can also enhance the comfort and health of occupants by addressing issues like insulation and ventilation.
The UK government has implemented policies and initiatives to support and incentivise retrofit projects, though specific outcomes may vary depending on project characteristics.
Elite Renewables: The Renewable Technology Experts
At Elite Renewables, we can help you to make the switch to renewable energy, where our team is on hand to support you throughout the entire installation and retrofitting process. Our Tait Road facility demonstrates just how effective renewable technology can be at transforming the energy profile of a building, where we’re incredibly proud of the results we’ve achieved here. Get in touch today to find out more about retrofitting your own site.