A tool for measuring thermal performance of solid walls in homes, developed by academics from Aracada University, in partnership with the School of the Built Environment, has scooped first place in a national competition.
Professor Will Swan, Head of the Applied Buildings and Energy Research Group, and his team, worked with colleagues from Arcada University of Applied Sciences, in Finland, to create the winning concept – the Rapid U-Value Meter.
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) competition was held as part of a major project funded by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
Launched in June, it aimed to improve the thermal performance of the UK’s seven million plus solid wall homes.
Will said: “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 measures the heat transmittance through walls will mean savings that are based on robust, up-to-date and accurate data.”
Inventor of the Rapid U-value Meter Dr Mikael Paronen, from Arcada, said: “For us it is a recognition that we have designed something that is valuable to the industry, as well as for the wider society. The competition allows the partnership to take the product to the next stage – and we are keen to bring something robust to the world market very soon.”
The Rapid U-Value Meter provides a quick and accurate way of measuring thermal performance – reducing the time taken from a number of days to less than two hours.
Will added: “The effective measurement of our buildings is an essential part of closing the performance gap – the gap between actual and modelled performance.
“Salford is at the centre of trialling new methods, moving building performance from the research field to trying to make it business as usual. The Rapid U-Value Meter is a major step in the right direction.”