SAP reveals impressive energy efficiency of third Actis-insulated property
A third showhome created by timber-frame specialist Scandia-Hus and insulated with Actis Hybrid products has achieved an impressive suite of energy efficiency and environmental performance parameters.
Its performance is captured in the as-built SAP calculation, which reveals an improvement of the Dwelling Emission Rate of 35% over the notional building specification and an improved Fabric Energy Efficiency rate of 24.5%.
The 2,755 sq ft three-bedroom chalet bungalow at Scandia-Hus’ Sussex premises also achieved an energy efficiency rating of B. And it has an impressively low level of air permeability, achieving an air leakage rate of 3.25 m3/hm2 at 50Pa, with this number of air changes per hour falling way within the Building Regulations’ limiting or notional values of 10 and 5m3/hm2 @50Pa respectively.
The UK’s largest designer and supplier of Swedish energy-saving timber-framed homes was so impressed by the thermal efficiency achieved in the first two showhomes it built at its Sussex HQ that it replicated the precise specification it used on those buildings for its latest creation.
The home offers the same U-values achieved in the initial two buildings – 0.14 in the roof and 0.16 in the walls thanks to the installation of vapour control layer HControl Hybrid and 155mm honeycomb design Hybris in the pitched roof and HControl Hybrid and 105mm Hybris in the walls. The eco-friendly property runs on an air source heat pump, and the sustainably sourced timber used creates an air-tight structure.
Actis regional sales manager Liane Bayliss said: “Actis Hybrid products are particularly popular with timber frame manufacturers. Giving a hands-on demonstration of the various elements used in a build of this nature will be very educational, both for the potential buyers of Scandia-Hus properties and for specifiers keen to explore different insulation products and their benefits for other build projects.”
Scandia-Hus trialled the Actis Hybrid system a few years ago on its first, contemporary style, show home, carrying out a thermal imaging exercise after completion to help determine whether to switch to using the system for future projects. The results, which showed an impressive lack of thermal bridging, convinced them that this was the best insulation for most of the homes it builds every year.
MD, Derek Dawson said: “Using Actis reduced installation time by up to 30%. Previously, insulation was installed in two phases – the first in the factory and the second on site after the first fix was complete.
“Actis Hybris is easy to install. The panels are easy to cut to exactly the right size so they simply slot into the stud wall. Due to the use of service voids and the ease of installation, the insulation will now generally be installed in one phase on site. This also ensures that the air tightness of the building is not compromised by follow-up trades. Other benefits were
minimal wastage and site cleanliness. And as if that is not benefit enough, the Hybrid range does not produce irritant and messy dust when installing.”
To discover more about the Actis Hybrid range visit www.rdr.link <https://www.insulation-actis.com>
