Lambert Home Builds managed a phased whole-house retrofit and single rear extension project in Oxfordshire, designed to achieve high energy efficiency and improved indoor air quality. The project focused on airtightness, advanced insulation, and an effective ventilation system to ensure optimal comfort and performance for both the new extension and the existing home.
The Challenge
Lambert Home Builds’ client needed a ventilation system that would integrate seamlessly into both the new extension and the existing structure of the home. The system also had to meet the demands of a busy household, delivering energy efficiency, quiet operation, and straightforward installation, particularly because this was a retrofit project. Additionally, airtightness and insulation had to be carefully addressed to reduce energy loss and create a stable internal temperature.
The Solution
To address these challenges, a decentralized mechanical ventilation system was chosen, eliminating the need for extensive ducting. Partel’s technical team provided support in designing and commissioning the ventilation system to ensure it met Building Regulations Part F.
- Ventilation System:
- Lunos Silvento extract units were installed in wet rooms and the large kitchen space, automatically boosting when humidity levels increased.
- Lunos ALD Exhaust Air System was installed in habitable rooms to provide a continuous supply of fresh air.
The system’s quietness, efficiency, and ease of use have impressed the occupants, making it an ideal choice for this retrofit project.
- Airtightness:
- VARA FLUID Liquid Airtightness Membrane was applied to the inner cavity wall as the main airtightness layer, which seamlessly connected to the pitched roof’s airtightness layer. A service void allowed for plasterboard installation without compromising this airtight barrier.
- At the junctions where the extension met the existing structure, VARA FLUID Liquid Airtightness Membrane ensured a continuous airtight layer, addressing the common retrofit challenge of maintaining airtightness in older buildings.
Results and Benefits
The retrofit has significantly improved the home’s performance, with stable internal temperatures, reduced infiltration losses, and enhanced ventilation, making the living environment more comfortable and energy efficient.
The Lambert Home Builds Feedback
“The team at Partel have provided vital support throughout the process, from the start with designing the ventilation system to providing technical support during the construction, their services and products are first class and could not be recommended enough. We look forward to using Partel’s products in future projects as they continue to innovate toward a net-zero carbon future.”
The occupants have remarked on the impressive quietness of the ventilation system, the Silvento is virtually silent in background mode, and the performance in relation to times of raised humidity and are delighted with the system and the ease of use and the simplicity in maintenance.
Conclusion
The Lambert Home Builds project is a successful example of how airtightness and optimized ventilation can be seamlessly integrated into retrofit project. Partel’s expertise and product solutions played an essential role in achieving high standards of comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency. As a result, this retrofit provides a blueprint for future projects focused on transforming residential spaces into energy-efficient, healthy, and comfortable environments.
