Green Structures Zero Carbon Loft Conversion

The project aims to achieve a truly zero carbon loft conversion. With all relevant parts taken into account, the project achieves Code Level 6 from the Code for Sustainable Homes (scoring 90 points out of available 104).

Additionally, if the total change factor is to be calculated (as the difference between the building's total heat loss, energy and water use before and after the construction of the loft conversion and roof terrace) the 50% increase in floor space results in 50% (or more) reduction in energy and water consumption (as well as over 50% reduction in CO2 emissions).

In addition to insulation far exceeding Best Practice (PassivHouse standard), passive solar design in conjunction with very high internal thermal 'mass' (but not weight), low energy LED lighting (with additional energy saving lighting controls), Solar Water Heating, Grey Water Recycling, Heat Recovery Ventilation and Sedum Green Roof System other measures are to be taken across the existing dwelling (insulating at rear of property, replacement of existing windows and upgrading of certain existing walls) in order to further improve its thermal efficiency (not only minimising heat loss in winter but also heat gain in summer).

The design and new technologies used intend not only to improve inhabitants living conditions and comfort but also to eradicate the need for air conditioning effectively capping the loft's temperature below 22 degrees centigrade in the summer (a feat not achieved in loft conversions so far), automatically releasing the energy back when the room drops below 18 degrees centigrade.

In order to monitor the performance of the building fabric and its interior a multitude of sensors are to be installed to collect all relevant, real time data including temperatures inside and outside of the dwelling, internal and external humidity, power consumption, wind speeds and rainfall.

This, alongside thermal imaging, will allow complete analysis of the effects of refurbishment and the performance of the shell against all claims (as well as identification of all potential weak points in the design).

This alteration will not only contribute to zero additional CO² as household emissions but go further and reduce the whole dwelling's carbon and ecological footprint thanks to incorporating a raft of solutions and technologies.