Dulux Trade helps boost energy efficiency at pioneering sustainability project
Dulux Trade has made a significant contribution to a pioneering project undertaken by Huntingdonshire District Council. Ecosure Light and Space, and Ecosure Gloss and Undercoat have been used in the Green House Project, an initiative run by Huntingdonshire District council in conjunction with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to refurbish two properties in a cost-effective and sustainable way.
The UK's housing stock produces approximately 27 per cent of all carbon emissions. Whilst improvements have been made to the energy performance of new build properties through the Code for Sustainable Homes, the council and the BRE understand that the design of existing housing stock needs to be addressed if targets of reducing carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 are to be met.
To support the initiative, Dulux Trade provided a sustainable solution for the two demonstration properties, the first at St Audrey Lane, St Ives, and a second at Manor Farm Road in St Neots. In particular, it supplied its ground-breaking Ecosure Matt in the Light & Space colour range product for application on all the internal walls, and Ecosure Gloss and Undercoat for trim areas.
The BRE carried out extensive 'before and after' tests on both of the homes, and found that overall, the CO2 emissions were reduced at the two sites by 75 per cent once all the improvement measures had been undertaken. The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating had also changed from E to B.
Other benefits at the refurbishment property in St Ives included a SAP score increase from 43 to 83, and a reduced energy bill of £633 per year. Similar success was also seen at the second property in St Neots, with the SAP score increasing from 46 to 85 and an energy bill reduction of £478 per year.
"To reduce carbon emissions and help the public combat rising energy costs, it's essential that we explore how to make all the UK's homes more efficient," said Mark Houston, Architectural Technician at Huntingdonshire District Council. "To do this we took a 'whole house' approach looking at every part of the building fabric, from insulation, to renewable technologies, and in this instance, paint."
"The Dulux Trade products supplied to the project have contributed to us achieving a higher level of environmental performance at both."
Paul Wright, Specifier Account Manager at Dulux Trade said: "Dulux Trade understands sustainable refurbishment not only benefits the environment, it also has financial benefits and encourages wellbeing and healthy living for building occupants. The Green House Project gave Dulux Trade a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the cutting edge environmental capabilities of the Ecosure portfolio and work with industry leaders to explore sustainable refurbishment."
Ecosure Matt in the Light & Space colour range offers performance that matches and in some cases exceeds that of equivalent matt emulsions. Originally developed with leading independent charity Forum for the Future, Ecosure Matt has 35 per cent less embodied carbon than standard vinyl matt, minimum VOC content, and its paint cans comprise at least 25 per cent recycled materials. In combining this with the energy saving potential of the Light & Space colour range, Ecosure Matt Light & Space cements the Dulux Trade position as the leading, environmentally aware provider of sustainable paint.
Using unique nano-technology for a smoother, glossier finish, Dulux Trade Ecosure Gloss and Undercoat is durable, quick drying and offers good opacity and adhesion. With 30 per cent less embodied carbon when used as a system and 78 per cent less VOC content, the environmentally friendly product has all the advantages of water-based systems whilst achieving a professional finish.