**5. Case study 2: Gilmores close**

**Figure 8.** Window Opening, SP1, House A, Bedroom 2

156 Sustainable Energy - Recent Studies

2 has a volume of approximately 28m3

*4.4.4. Study period variation*

In the same study Bedroom 2 in House A also performs poorly in relation to IAQ. Bedroom

heavily ventilated naturally over SP1 (Table 3). By looking at how conditions changed dur‐ ing each recorded window opening period it is assumed that without this additional natural ventilation Ta and CO2levels would have been considerably higher. Its counterpart in House B was only subject to roughly four hours of natural ventilation compared with 30, but per‐ formed considerably better, although maximum and minimum values were similar. It is possible that in House B the occupant slept with their bedroom door ajar opposed to that of House A. This is unconfirmed. The results produced for this room during SP1 would lean towards House B having producing more acceptable IAQ and are backed up by qualitative assessment which found occupants rated House B's IAQ to be superior to that of House A.

In addition to the examples discussed it is worth noting that the attic rooms seem to perform relatively well in each case, even with House A having double the occupancy level. This could be due to Bedroom 4's large volume and also its proximity to the MVHR unit resulting in short‐ er duct lengths and therefore better flow rate. The room's location near to the unit may also ex‐ plain why in the qualitative assessment made by an occupant it was stated that the fan was very obvious and noisy in the attic bedroom. With this is mind, the position of MV supply vents and the noise levels they produce should be considered to the same extent, especially as

The substantial difference shown in the results, between the chosen examples, highlights a clear improvement in CO2levels between SP1 and SP2.The qualitative IAQ results recorded support the quantitative results. The inhabitants deemed the air to be of greater satisfaction,

the air tight construction results in the home being extremely quiet in general.

freshness and circulating more frequently within the second study period.

compared with 17m3

in Bedroom 3. This room was

This project was a building performance evaluation of an adaptive rehabilitation project on a Category B listed 19th Century stone tenement located within the World Heritage Site of Edinburgh's Grassmarket. Working within the constraints of its historical significance and limited budget (a registered social landlord as Client) and end user group, this project has sought to create an energy efficient solution for its sustainable rehabilitation.

To assess the performance of this building MEARU undertook a programme of monitoring and evaluation over a three-week period during March 2011(from 17.03.11 to 12.04.11). Average external temperatures during this period were 9 o C. Environmental monitoring was supplemented with an analysis of energy demand and acquisition of qualitative data through semi-structured interviews of the occupants, and observations by the surveyors to provide an overview of building performance.

This project was undertaken over a limited, albeit very focused, period. As such the infor‐ mation derived provides a 'snapshot' of building performance, rather than a more extensive review of performance over the course of an annual climatic cycle. The study collected data on 6 properties (5 dwellings and 1 small office) out of a potential 17 properties.

The principle active technology employed throughout the development is a vertical ground source heat pump (GSHP), which, along with an electric back up heater, provides for the hot water and space heating demands of the full building. Delivery of the space heating is through a wet under-floor heating system. Due to limitations of the timber intermediate floor structure this is provided within proprietary insulated trays rather then being con‐

The Role of Building Users in Achieving Sustainable Energy Futures

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/51900

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Ventilation of 13 of the dwellings also allows for the use of heat recovery through propriet‐ ary mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) units. In the 1 bedroom apartments (without sun spaces) a conventional system of opening windows, background trickle venti‐ lators and mechanical extraction from wet spaces has been installed. Elsewhere a whole house MVHR system draws air from the kitchens, bathrooms and sunspaces, and after re‐ covering waste heat, delivers fresh warmed air to the hall spaces, with the intention that this will dissipate to adjacent spaces. Note that MVHR relates to an energy strategy but is viewed primarily as a ventilation aspect with the heat recovery aspect being secondary.

The building has three distinct groups of occupants, all of who were represented in the data collection process. The first user group is that of the mainstream social rent tenants. They occupy one of the building's two closes. The second user group, occupying the second close, is made up of residents who require supported living. The third group of users are the care

Following completion and occupation of the building there were reports from residents of poor performance and problems with the heating system. Through a process of further com‐ missioning and alteration this system was brought up to a standard where resident com‐ plaints were dramatically reduced but where continued problems were evident. Anecdotal evidence suggested over-heating was common and this was be supported by visual inspec‐

In response to these issues MEARU was asked by the architects to undertake a building per‐ formance evaluation to identify issues relative to the building performance in general with a specific focus on internal comfort. The project was funded by the CIC Start Online academic consultancy fund. The key question posed was what energy performance and environmen‐ tal conditions are being achieved, and if these are below requirements what lessons may be

Research into the building performance and user satisfaction was undertaken using a varie‐ ty of approaches and techniques for data collation and analysis. This was designed to pri‐ marily provide a resource of quantitative (empirical) data but which was supported by qualitative data providing a greater depth to the analytical process. Over a 3½ week period the internal temperature, relative humidity and CO2concentration were monitored in all

staff who occupy the building's office space and provide support to user group two.

tained in a screed.

**5.2. Occupancy**

tions of window openings.

**5.3. Data review**

learned for this, and other similar projects.
