Energy efficiency: Keeping cosy and reducing costs, while protecting the planet

As the temperature drops, we’re reminded more than ever of the importance of an energy-efficient home. Not only is it better for the environment, but it results in a cosy home and keeps energy bills low for the lifetime of the property – something which is well worth considering as energy prices continue to rise.We find that sustainable building and energy efficiency is nearly always high on our clients’ agenda. Increasing numbers of clients are choosing to build with the environment in mind – both short term and long term. Energy use in homes accounts for around 14% of UK greenhouse gas emissions and this is something that can easily be addressed, especially when it is considered at the initial design stage. Is timber frame thermally efficient?Timber frame delivers the most air-tight and energy-efficient envelope of any building material on the market. The thermal efficiency of timber frame is one of the reasons why it is the most popular form of construction for self-builders.As well as ticking the environmental box, high levels of insulation manufactured within the timber frame means that these homes are extremely economic to run. A well-insulated timber frame building reduces the amount of energy required to heat it, which means long term savings on heat and energy bills. Using timber with a fabric-first approach is one of the most cost-effective routes to reducing your carbon emissions.How can I make my home more sustainable?Choosing renewable energy sources for your electricity and heating is a great way to make your home greener. However, renewable energy sources can only excel when the building envelope is efficient. Solar panels, heat pumps and biomass boilers should all be considered – but if the building isn’t airtight, these products won’t run as effectively as intended.Self-builders are pushing boundaries further and further to get lower u-values, and this is easier to achieve with timber frame - and as it is manufactured in a factory, the value is guaranteed.Case Study: Gryphon House Revisited To demonstrate the energy performance of an efficient timber frame home, we got in touch with former clients, Chris and Jenny Shepperd, to find out how their beautiful five bedroom home, Gryphon House is working for them three years on from completion.Energy efficiency was at the forefront of design for the Shepperds. They chose our TechVantage™ S system because of the energy performance it would provide.The TechVantage™ S system is a breathable closed panel system fully filled with 140mm 035 timber rafter batt in the factory. The system is lined on the inside with a 50mm PIR Liner and service batten and plasterboard with a Thermo breather paper on the outside. This delivers a 0.15 U Value through the walls, while a Superglass loft roll was used in the roof to achieve 0.13 U value. A Superglass acoustic insulation in the internal walls and floor zone delivered a well-insulated energy-efficient airtight home.To help reach the U value of 0.13, Simon worked closely with the couple to plan the frame’s insulation properties, adding an extra inch of Woodfibre insulation board to the outside of frame to reach the goal.As well as the energy-efficient frame, Chris and Jenny incorporated an air source heat pump powering hot water and underfloor heating on both floors, heat recovery ventilation, triple glazing throughout, and 11kW PV panels supplying electricity on sunny days ready for battery storage. All combined with the benefits of an air-tight, highly insulated shell to make a comfortable, cheap to run, elegant home.The complete house achieved a SAP rating of 99, which is exemplary, and achieved the highest Passivhaus standard when tested for air tightness.Chris explains: “Frame Technologies offered flexible options for thickness of frame and level of insulation to achieve the kind of low U values we wanted. We approached other timber frame suppliers, but Frame Technologies was the only one to offer the energy efficiency we required at the right price point, while also being incredibly flexible and accommodating in their approach.”Jump forward to 2024, and the house is performing exactly as they hoped.Chris says, “Gryphon House is still giving us wonderful views, keeping us cosy and well whilst keeping costs down.  Overall energy costs have not changed very much for us: annual bills have been £600, £700, £800 for the last three years.“The Solar panels and Tesla batteries are still working well, and we regularly get compliments about the feel of the house from visitors.  We have even persuaded a like-minded group of neighbours to invest in insulation, panels and batteries as part of our thermal camera initiative for Sustainable Brailes.”Building with a conscienceOur TechVantage™ systems deliver exceptional energy-efficient building envelopes, with the capability of exceeding building regulations to deliver Passivhaus performance, if the brief demands it.It’s not only more energy-efficient but also more cost efficient to build a sustainable home than it is to buy a house that is built to cost but costs the earth to heat – literally and figuratively!By building an energy-efficient home you’re building with a conscience, and also safeguarding your future; keeping your outgoings smaller later in life and avoiding the risk of fuel poverty.