Category: General

Considerations

In a world that is demanding more and more energy, it is vital to help reduce the demand on electrical generation and the network infrastructure. One way to do this is to design and build more sustainably, thinking well beyond the initial construction phase and throughout the lifecycle of the structure, whilst being sensitive to the environment and local eco-systems. 

To do this we need to look at building performance over the planned lifecycle – how well will each structure perform when built? Does it meet the planned targets for heat loss and energy efficiency and how will this model look 100+ years from now? 

Unlike other Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), ICF is unique in that its thermal performance will not change over its lifecycle, being unharmed by rot, seasonal fluctuations or rodent attack. The structural and thermal integrity will remain high for generations to come. 

Parameters for ICF energy demand

ICF is often considered alongside other MMCs, predominantly timber frame. Timber frame design will generally achieve very low U-values. The problem is that only the highest rated component in the wall – the insulation itself – is the main component that performs at these stated U-values. 

However, this type of construction may give the homeowner certain issues and problems which they would not have with a new home built using mainly masonry materials.

Durability

MMC timber frame components are preservative treated. However, this is only fully effective if the timber is not drilled or cut. Site alteration dictates that this is inevitable and these areas would require additional treatment to maintain the long-term protection of the timber components.

Timber is vulnerable to both wet and dry rot and attack from a variety of insects and vermin.

Energy efficiency

New homes built using timber frame are generally very energy efficient. Thick thermal insulation is placed between the inner leaf studs, resulting in only the air in the home being heated. The building inner block wall of a cavity-insulated masonry construction would also warm up, creating a thermal store. Timber frame homes are subject to overheating during the summer months.

Noise

The basic rule is that mass helps to reduce the overall transmission of noise. A wall constructed using concrete blocks will have approximately 50% greater sound insulation due to its much higher mass than an insulated timber stud wall. Noise is one of the most common complaints from homeowners in timber frame dwellings.

ICF Construction

ICF comes as two variations, Woodcrete (where the external and internal forms are made with recycled wood to create the ICF form) and EPS where we use ‘expanded polystyrene’ and both can offer excellent levels of acoustic performance, thermal performance and air tightness. 

ICF is branded as having a thermal mass due to the concrete core. However, this is only true with Woodcrete as the inner skin is breathable. Woodcrete will act as a thermal mass – meaning some of the energy created will be absorbed into the walls. This will have an impact on heat up and cool down times and the controllability of the system design will be compromised. 

EPS has two continuous layers of insulation both internally and externally. EPS reflects the heat created, meaning little or no energy is absorbed into the concrete core. This means that the heat up times and controllability are not compromised. The result is less energy being required to achieve comfort levels, with both heating and cooling demands reduced. 

ICF buildings consistently get results of 0.5 to 1.5 ACH₅₀, largely depending on the roof type and wallplate detail. Most air infiltration in an ICF home is through a conventional roof and around windows and doors, so attention to these areas is critical.

All of the above vastly affect the mechanical infrastructure. Choosing ICF will help reduce the energy requirements and demand, which will also reduce the capacity of equipment required.

ICF

Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) are construction materials made from concrete sandwiched between two layers of insulation. ICFs are a low-energy option because they have a high thermal mass, which means they absorb and store heat well. This makes them ideal for low-energy buildings, as they can help regulate indoor temperatures and reduce heating and cooling costs. Insulated Concrete Formwork offers a low carbon, environmentally friendly, quick build technique without compromise, producing high performance homes.

Heating systems in ICF dwellings  

It is clear from anecdotal evidence that many ICF domestic dwellings in the UK have had heating systems over-specified due to a lack of understanding of the thermal properties of this MMC.

For the fortunate owners/occupants of ICF dwellings, the general consensus is that very high levels of comfort have been achieved, due to the smoothing out of extreme swings in ambient temperatures that occur for a number of days, without a marked difference in internal comfort conditions. 

Heat Pumps

Ground source heat pumps are the most efficient of all heat pumps because they extract energy from the ground where temperatures are more stable and consistent than outside air. If there is sufficient available ground area, relatively close to the dwelling and heat pump plantroom, this is the favourable option for collecting the low-grade heat. An alternative option is to use bore holes, the number and depth being dependent on the heat demand within the dwelling. 

Air Source Heat Pumps can be a more cost-effective option as the heat requirement within ICF dwellings is very low. The efficiency, quietness and overall performance has vastly improved in recent years due to advancements in technology and refrigerants. 

Other alternatives to traditional water-based heating systems include the use of Far Infrared heating systems such as NEXGEN Heating. These heating systems operate very quickly on demand and the Graphene film heats solid objects, not the air, so a feeling of warmth/heat is experienced very quickly. Operating at approximately half the electrical energy requirement for direct electric systems, it is an excellent option for EPS ICF and can be installed for a fraction of the cost of a traditional wet system. 

MVHR

Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery is a method of providing controlled levels of continuous fresh air into a dwelling that is heated, when required, by the warm, moist and stale air extracted from the kitchen and bath/shower rooms. These systems are only effective when high levels of airtightness are achieved by the method and integrity of the construction.

Uncontrolled ventilation (Infiltration – otherwise known as draughts) can account for 30% or more of the total heat loss from a dwelling. The introduction of fresh air and air movement is vital to an airtight property. Very high levels of airtightness can be achieved in ICF construction, due to the simplicity and integrity of the structure, with little or no thermal bridging assisted by very high tolerances of other components, such as windows.

MVHR can improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) reduce allergic reactions to dust, eliminate condensation and mould growth and should be considered as an integral part of the mechanical services design package during the planning stages. It’s very important to ensure the system is commissioned correctly to ensure correct installation.

An emerging alternative to MVHR is ‘Demand Controlled Ventilation’. This technology provides good IAQ by modulating airflow on a room by room basis based on demand, keeping the humidity at an optimum level (between 40-60%, typically at 50%). This whole house system is on average half the cost of MVHR as it requires much less infrastructure. The primary energy is also lower and this has a positive impact on efficiency and SAP.

Hot water

The design of a hot water system is determined by a number of factors, which include occupancy levels, the number of hot water outlets and the periods and frequency of maximum demand. There are alternative methods of hot water production which include stand-alone hot water cylinders heated with a mini heat pump, which extract waste heat from bathrooms and kitchens and use it to kickstart a mini refrigerant circuit on top of the cylinder, producing high levels of hot water at very low running costs. 

Other options include products like Sunamp Heat Batteries. These units are approximately half the size of the equivalent capacity standard hot water cylinder and operate by melting and solidifying a phase change material (PCM) to absorb and give up heat. Mains water is heated by passing it through the PCM, solidifying the liquid and absorbing the latent heat.

The key to ensuring very low energy consumption for comfort heating and hot water is ensuring that the construction meets the design criteria. ‘Fabric First’ is the golden rule before thinking about the mechanical services. 

A Solar Photo-Voltaic/battery system will be most effective when meeting the very low energy demands created by a thermally efficient and air-tight dwelling. 

Glenn Kiely, Business Development Manager, Building Systems, BEWI (UK)

Living in an ICF house – Nick Welch 

Having lost our family home to fire in December 2018, we had the opportunity to rethink how our new home would be built. I had a very good understanding of the features and benefits of ICF as a modern method of construction and jumped at the suggestion by our builder, who suggested ICF for the rebuild.

I specified the mechanical services package, which was to include an ASHP, MVHR, UFH, Solar PV and in some areas, Nexgen Far Infrared heating.

The heating/cooling smoothing effect of the ICF, in response to any sudden large swings in ambient temperatures, enabled the design of the heating system to meet design room temperatures at the average minimum temperature of 9°C and not the minimum design temperature of -1.6°C for our area in North Devon.

I was entirely confident that the ICF would give a heating/cooling profile that would meet these design criteria.

For a build of 288m², the specification included the installation of a 5kW Vaillant Arotherm Plus Air Source Heat Pump, UFH in the main living areas comprising 2 zones with 2 Programmable Thermostats (no heating on the mezzanine and the loft room office), four bedrooms – all on one zone, controlled with one programmable thermostat, electric only towel warmers, thermostatically controlled, along with single NEXGEN heating panels applied to the ceilings in 3 shower rooms and one main bathroom.

The lounge/dining area has a wood burner with an output greater than the heat loss for the whole house (7kW), which covers the shortfall when temperatures drop to very low single figures or below freezing for extended periods of time.

The concept was to achieve comfort conditions across the whole of the ground, first and mezzanine level, aided by the 24/7 operation of the MVHR system, with minimum heat/energy input and without the requirement for multiple zones and thermostats. 

Hot water has been produced largely through an export capture device (Solar iBoost), which has resulted in the heat pump not operating since March for hot water demand.

Having been living in our new home for almost two years, the results have been extraordinary. Levels of comfort are very high and the warmth and freshness of the indoor environment is literally a breath of fresh air.

My wife is particularly pleased because all the indoor plants are thriving at levels not seen before in our previous home.

Nick Welch, October 2022

BEWI are committed to sustainable construction and have created insulative building materials: THERMOMUR®, JACKODUR® insulation, and JACKODUR® ATLAS. THERMOMUR® & JACKODUR® ATLAS are BEWI’s ICF building systems that, in recent years, have revolutionised sustainable house construction. 

The JACKODUR® ATLAS extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation and formwork system is for floor slabs, while THERMOMUR® is a robust pre-formed wall block with a hollow core manufactured from expanded polystyrene (EPS). The hollow centre is filled with a concrete pour during construction to make the highest quality insulated concrete raft system.

In this blog post, we will be answering the most frequently asked questions regarding insulation. 

1. What essential criteria must materials meet to be thermally insulated?

Since heat is transmitted through insulation materials by conduction, “low thermal conductivity” is the primary requirement for thermal insulation materials (at 373 K, mineral wool has a thermal conductivity of 0.047 W/m.K, glass fibre has a thermal conductivity of 0.038 W/m.K, calcium silicate has a thermal conductivity of 0.057 W/m.K, and magnesia has a thermal conductivity of 0.062 W/m.K).

JACKODUR® is BEWI’s range of extruded polystyrene insulation. It includes the best-in-class thermal properties of the Plus range, compressive strengths from 300 to 700kPa, and a wide range of boards in thicknesses up to 320mm for the ultimate insulation system.

THERMOMUR® provides a two-sided thermally insulated, airtight construction that offers optimum energy efficiency. The ICF system can satisfy the latest changes to Part L of the building regulations right up to Passive House standards. Its unique design allows us to meet ever-demanding thermal insulation and airtightness standards with the minimum of additional components and construction processes. Other benefits of THERMOMUR® include blocks that are very light and clean to work with, meaning that the walls are built quickly and solidly on-site hence the reduction in the cost of construction.

2. What insulation is best for floors?

Normal requirements for floor installation call for 150mm of mineral wool or 70mm of high-performance foam insulation, but exact requirements will depend on the size, shape and type of floor. 

JACKOBOARD® Plano insulation is perfect for floor insulation as it provides up to 80mm of thickness with excellent thermal insulation of λD = 0.035 W/(m·K). It  can be covered directly with tiles, plaster or render. Other benefits include its strength as it has cement reinforcements on either side of the board, as well as being waterproof, lightweight and not needing primer.

JACKOBOARD® Plano also comes in a width of 1,200mm, which means fewer joints saving considerable amounts of insulation time. 

Load bearing thermal insulation under foundation slabs is beneficial with regard to energy saving and specifically in the prevention of thermal bridges. Made of XPS, JACKODUR® ATLAS is specifically designed for dual use as formwork and thermal insulation in floor slab applications. JACKODUR® ATLAS slab insulation provides indoor climate comfort without thermal bridges while effectively reducing installation energy costs. 

3. Can insulation be recycled?

Typical construction sites produce insulation waste. What you can do with this is:

• Direct reuse of off-cuts
• Returning materials through take-back schemes offered by manufacturers
• Compressed stone wool ceiling tile manufacture
• Reclamation and reprocessing after removing impurities such as screws and nails

BEWI’s insulation products are made of extruded (XPS) or expanded (EPS) polystyrene (JACKOFOAM® & JACKOPOR® ). These are processed oil products that are made of 98% air and they are 100% recyclable. 

4. Can insulation boards get wet?

Yes, insulation boards can get wet. EPS & XPS absorb minimal water, but they cannot rot. BEWI’s polystyrene material maintains its properties well over time and does so without releasing any substances into soil or water. 

Furthermore, JACKOBOARD® has its own range of completely waterproof products that are perfectly designed for use as insulation under bathroom tile and shower/wet room floors such as J-Drains and JACKOBOARD® plano. 

5. What kind of insulation do you use for a flat roof?

In order to make a room feel warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, flat roof insulation is used. Although foam works particularly well and is frequently used in contemporary construction, other good insulation materials include wood fibre, cellular glass, and polystyrene (EPS or XPS). 

BEWI offers XPS thermal insulation called JACKODUR®. This is a top quality thermal insulation material made of extruded polystyrene foam, which is highly compression proof, dimensionally stable, as well as moisture/rot resistant. JACKODUR® is available in a wide variety of thicknesses and edge profiles with the option of a smooth or textured surface. 

We hope this blog has helped clarify any queries you may have about insulation. For more information, contact our team of specialists.

The construction industry is one of the most important industries in the world. It is responsible for building the homes, offices, and other structures we use daily. However, the construction industry has a potentially negative environmental impact due to the number of resources it consumes and the pollution it creates. This article will discuss five ways the construction industry can become greener and more sustainable.

The construction industry is vital to the economy and our way of life, but it has a significant environmental impact. There are many ways that construction companies and contractors can make their operations more sustainable and reduce their environmental footprint. Here are five of the most important:

Reduce energy consumption and invest in renewable energy sources.

One of the ways the construction industry can reduce its energy consumption is by using the more sustainable mechanical infrastructure. Using a fabric-first approach will reduce the requirement for larger infrastructure and help keep energy requirements to a minimum. Another way to reduce the construction industry’s energy consumption is to use renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, or green hydrogen. Another way to use less fuel is by switching from petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles.

Reduce water consumption.

Construction companies can reduce water consumption by using more efficient irrigation systems, drought-resistant plants, and rain harvesting. Construction companies can reuse greywater for irrigation to reduce water consumption even further. The introduction of water meters can help companies keep on track as well as implement low-consumption sanitary fittings.

Reduce waste.

Construction companies can reduce the amount of waste they produce by recycling construction materials and using less packaging. Plastic construction materials like PVC pipes can be replaced with more sustainable options such as bamboo. Where there is a need for high amounts of packaging, these can be replaced with sustainable packing options such as biodegradable plastics, recyclable wood and card. Various sustainable construction materials are available that have less of an impact on the environment than traditional construction materials. Sustainable construction materials include bamboo, recycled glass, and recycled plastic.

At construction sites, an emphasis should be placed on recycling from materials worked with to the contractors’ food containers for lunch, with metal bottles supplied for hydration throughout the day instead of plastic bottles.

Educate employees and clients about sustainability.

To do this, construction companies can provide training on sustainability topics and incorporate sustainable practices into their business operations. They can also advocate and lobby for sustainable policies at the local and national levels. They can also support sustainable organisations.

Use sustainable low-energy materials.

Construction companies can use green construction methods, such as green roofs and sustainable forestry, to reduce their environmental impact. They can also invest in low and zero-energy materials such as BEWI’s ICF system, THERMOMUR® and the insulated concrete raft system JACKODUR® ATLAS which allows for fast construction with premium air tightness and acoustic insulation as well as making the building exceptionally thermally efficient. BEWI also produces award-winning JACKODUR® insulation with compressive strengths from 300 to 700kPa, so you can be confident your construction project will be Future Homes Ready! By planning for energy-efficient homes of the future now, we can help the environment for years to come.

By implementing some or all of these sustainability measures, the construction industry can reduce its environmental impact and become more sustainable. Contact us today for more information about sustainable building practices, future-ready homes, and our low-energy building products.

If you’re in the market for a construction board that has superior insulation properties, extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam is the material you want. XPS construction boards offer several advantages over other types of construction boards. In this article, we will discuss some of the benefits extruded polystyrene foam offers over its competitors.

Energy Efficiency

The main advantage of extruded polystyrene foam is its superior insulation properties. Polystyrene boards have a higher R-value than other types of construction boards, meaning they can better resist heat transfer. R-Value means extruded polystyrene foam will make your home or office more energy-efficient, and extruded polystyrene foam construction is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint.

This makes them ideal for use in energy-efficient homes and buildings. For example, JACKOBOARD® XPS construction board provides excellent insulation property whilst being a perfect waterproof tile backing substrate.

Damage Resistant

Extruded polystyrene foam is also resistant to water damage and rot. This makes it an ideal material for use in wet or humid conditions. XPS foam is also very strong and durable, meaning it will last longer than other types of construction boards. XPS boards are very light, making them easy to work with and transport.

Environmentally Friendly

Extruded polystyrene foam is an environmentally friendly material that can be recycled or reused. Polystyrene boards have a long product life, making them a sustainable choice for construction projects. Along with their energy-efficient properties, they can help to have an overall better impact on the environment compared to other types of construction boards.

If you’re looking for a construction board with superior insulation properties, extruded polystyrene foam is the way to go. With its many benefits, extruded polystyrene foam is the perfect choice for your next construction project.

Contact us today to learn more about XPS and JACKOBOARD® construction board. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about this versatile and durable material.

In the ever-growing quest to reduce our environmental impact, low-energy construction materials and techniques are becoming increasingly popular. Many different products and methods can be used to make your construction project more low-energy, and this blog post will introduce you to some of them! We’ll explore different products that are low energy as well as various building techniques that produce less energy. We’ll also discuss some key topics related to low-energy construction. So if you’re interested in making your next construction project more eco-friendly, read on!

Why should we use low-energy construction materials and building techniques?

There are many reasons to use low-energy construction materials and techniques. For one, it can help reduce your project’s carbon footprint. Low-energy construction materials often have a lower embodied energy than traditional materials, meaning they require less energy to produce. This can also lead to reduced emissions throughout the life cycle of your project – from manufacture to end-of-life.

Additionally, low-energy construction materials and techniques can often be more cost-effective in the long run. Using low-energy materials can help you save on heating and cooling costs and reduce maintenance costs. 

So there are many reasons to consider low-energy construction for your next project. But what low-energy options are available?

There is a wide range of low-energy construction materials and techniques that you can choose from.

Low energy materials include:

Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) are construction materials made from concrete sandwiched between two layers of insulation. ICFs are a low-energy option because they have a high thermal mass, which means they absorb and store heat well. This makes them ideal for low-energy buildings, as they can help regulate indoor temperatures and reduce heating and cooling costs. JACKODUR® ATLAS is an award-winning insulated concrete raft system guaranteed to make your project more efficient and sustainable.

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a type of engineered wood product made by bonding layers of lumber with adhesives. CLT is a low-energy material because it has a low embodied energy – meaning it requires less energy to produce than traditional construction materials like concrete or steel. Additionally, CLT is a carbon-neutral material, as the trees used to make it absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow.

Recycled steel is another low-energy construction material. Steel is a very durable material, so it can be recycled repeatedly without losing its strength or quality. Recycled steel requires less energy to produce than virgin steel, making it a low-energy option for construction.

There are also several low-energy building techniques that you can use to make your project more eco-friendly.

Low energy building techniques:

In your construction project, incorporating double and triple-glazed windows, low-E glass, argon gas-filled windows, and low U-factor window options will also help reduce heat loss and energy consumption.

Passive solar design is a low-energy construction technique that uses the sun’s natural heat to warm a space. This means orienting your building to maximise the sun’s exposure, using solar thermal mass to absorb and store heat, and incorporating shading devices to prevent overheating.

Green roofs are another low-energy construction technique that can help insulate a building and reduce heating and cooling costs. They work by absorbing heat from the sun during the day and releasing it at night, as well as providing an extra layer of insulation.

Rainwater harvesting is a low-energy technique that involves collecting rainwater and using it for irrigation, flushing toilets, or other non-potable uses.

As you can see, many low-energy construction materials and techniques are available to help you reduce the environmental impact of your project. So why not give some of them a try on your next build? You might be surprised at the difference it makes! Contact us today for high-quality, low-energy building materials.