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BRE reveals potential solution for improving the measurement of heat losses from solid wall homes

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Partners Salford University and Finnish university Arcada have created the winning concept in a BRE competition to find a tool for rapid and accurate measurement of the thermal performance of solid walls in homes.

Beating off contenders from a number of specialist organisations in the metrology sector, the partners will now receive some funding from DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change), to support further testing and development of working prototypes.

Launched by BRE in June, the competition to find a tool came in response to the need to improve the thermal performance of the UK’s 7 million+ solid wall homes. Insulating these types of homes is one of the greatest challenges for energy efficiency policy, but it also potentially offers some of the most significant energy and carbon savings for occupants.

Policies to deliver this work rely on modelled estimates of savings from solid wall insulation, but a tool that could measure the heat transmittance through walls would mean savings could be  based on robust, up to date and accurate data.

‘We’ve been surprised by the level of interest from organisations outside of the built environment.  This competition demonstrates the value of looking beyond the built environment and exploring the potential of technology transfer from other sectors’ said John Riley, Director, Housing & Energy at BRE.

The Arcada and Salford University solution is now undergoing testing at BRE.

Further details on the competition are available here

For further information please contact Linda McKeown, BRE email [email protected]

NOTES TO EDITOR

BRE: We are a world leading building science centre and the authority on all aspects of the built environment. We generate new knowledge through research that is used to create products, tools and standards that drive positive change across the built environment. We enable our government and private sector clients to meet the environmental, social and economic challenges they face by delivering higher performing, better quality, safer, more secure and more sustainable products homes, buildings and communities. We are owned by the BRE Trust, a registered charity, which funds research and education that advances knowledge of the built environment.  We are committed to building a better world together. We are BRE. www.bre.co.uk

Arcada is a multi-professional university of applied sciences (UAS) with campus located in Arabianranta, Helsinki. We offer high quality practice-oriented higher education at both Bachelor’s and Master’s levels as well as further education in Swedish and English within: Business Administration, Sports, Media, Culture, Social- and Health Care, Technology. www.arcada.fi/en

Salford is an ambitious University, with our 20,000 students contributing enormously to the local economy and our expertise transforming individuals and communities through excellent teaching, research, innovation and engagement. We are leading in areas, including health, energy, media and the built environment and have completed impressive work with business and industry partners www.salford.ac.uk