How we helped boost the sustainability of this community building
CLPM provide energy saving advice for businesses, homeowners and charities across the UK. Our energy consultancy is about helping our clients to both reduce their running costs and carbon emissions and advise them on the best ways to improve the sustainability of their buildings.
THE PROJECT
We were approached by the Harrogate Quakers for energy saving advice. They were planning to refurbish their 1960’s era meeting house and wanted help to determine the best way to do this.
THE CHALLENGE
They were anxious to improve the thermal performance of their building. The group also wanted to review their existing heating system to make their property more comfortable and cut their running costs. In addition they asked us to establish whether or not installing a photovoltaic array as well as a rainwater harvesting system would be appropriate.
THE SOLUTION
We started off by visiting the site and meeting with the clients to discuss their needs. We took detailed measurements and looked around the building and checked its existing heating system. We also got copies of the original architectural plans of the building and our clients gave us detailed gas and electricity usage information.
We used all the information to establish and model the existing performance of the building. Next we looked at and calculated the benefits of a number of different options for our clients.
THE RESULT
We looked at the areas where additional insulation could be added and modeled the energy usage effects of the various the options. We also calculated the energy efficiency benefits of replacing the old double glazing units with new, improved specification double glazing or triple glazed windows. We also advised on the resultant impact these decisions would have on the building’s heating requirements. Our report also included a cost versus benefit payback analysis on installation of a PV array, as well as a recommendation on the introduction of a rainwater harvesting system.
CLPM Services used by our client:-
Energy consultancy.
We discovered by chance that CLPM offers an energy sustainability review of church buildings. Our Meeting House in Harrogate is a 60’s build and we were in the process of deciding whether to move, rebuild, or refurbish. The report that Tony Duffin completed was thorough and clear and will help us make decisions on how to make our current building more energy sustainable.