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This paper studies the impact of different green barriers on the dispersion of air pollution in a neighbourhood. The study was performed with reference to air quality conditions in Manchester, UK. Manchester experiences a high level of NO2. Measured results showed that the average annual concentration level in 2018 was very close to the limit defined by European Union legislation. Maximum and minimum NO2 concentrations occurred during the winter and summer, respectively. Simulations of the dispersion of air pollution in a hypothetical neighbourhood showed that NO2 level was decreased by the increase of air temperature during the simulated day. In four perturbation scenarios, hedges and trees with different heights were added to the neighbourhood as green barriers. Hedges increased the pollution level near the street at the pedestrian level as a result of the reduced wind speed. The simulations demonstrated that using the trees facilitated the dispersion of pollution.
Mohammad Taleghani; Andrew Clark; William Swan; Arash Mohegh. Air pollution in a microclimate; the impact of different green barriers on the dispersion. Science of The Total Environment 2019, 711, 134649 .
AMA StyleMohammad Taleghani, Andrew Clark, William Swan, Arash Mohegh. Air pollution in a microclimate; the impact of different green barriers on the dispersion. Science of The Total Environment. 2019; 711 ():134649.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMohammad Taleghani; Andrew Clark; William Swan; Arash Mohegh. 2019. "Air pollution in a microclimate; the impact of different green barriers on the dispersion." Science of The Total Environment 711, no. : 134649.
Thermal modelling tools have widely been used in the construction industry at the design stage, either for new build or retrofitting existing buildings, providing data for informed decision-making. The accuracy of thermal models has been subject of much research in recent decades due to the potential large difference between predicted and ‘in-use’ performance – the so called ‘performance gap’. A number of studies suggested that better representation of building physics and operation details in thermal models can improve the accuracy of predictions. However, full-scale model calibration has always been challenging as it is difficult to measure all the necessary boundary conditions in an open environment. Thus, the Energy House facility at the University of Salford – a full-sized end terrace house constructed within an environmental chamber – presents a unique opportunity to conduct full-scale model calibration. The aim of this research is to calibrate Energy House thermal models using various full-scale measurements. The measurements used in this research include the co-heating tests for a whole house retrofit case study, and thermal resistance from window coverings and heating controls with thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs). Thermal models were created using an IESVE (Integrated Environment Solutions Virtual Environment). IESVE is a well-established dynamic thermal simulation tool widely used in analysing the dynamic response of a building based on the hourly input of weather data. The evidence from this study suggests that thermal models using measured U-values and infiltration rates do perform better than the models using calculated thermal properties and assumed infiltration rates. The research suggests that better representations of building physics help thermal models reduce the performance gap. However, discrepancies still exist due to various other underlying uncertainties which need to be considered individually with each case. In relative terms, i.e. variations in percentage, the predictions from thermal models tend to be more reliable than predicting the absolute numbers.
Yingchun Ji; Angela Lee; Will Swan. Building dynamic thermal model calibration using the Energy House facility at Salford. Energy and Buildings 2019, 191, 224 -234.
AMA StyleYingchun Ji, Angela Lee, Will Swan. Building dynamic thermal model calibration using the Energy House facility at Salford. Energy and Buildings. 2019; 191 ():224-234.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYingchun Ji; Angela Lee; Will Swan. 2019. "Building dynamic thermal model calibration using the Energy House facility at Salford." Energy and Buildings 191, no. : 224-234.
Higher air temperatures in large cities like Manchester, UK, reduce human thermal comfort. In this paper, the impact of land cover on microclimate, and consequently on indoor thermal comfort is studied. Through different stages, field measurements and computer modelling were carried out for a heat wave episode in summer 2017 in Manchester: First, the urban heat island (UHI) was measured between the city centre of Manchester and the campus of the University of Salford (between May to October 2017). Maximum detected UHI was 2.3 °C at 4:00, during the hottest day of the year. Parallel measurements within the university campus showed that the park was 0.9 °C cooler than the paved areas (maximum cooling effect was 3.6 °C at 14:45). Finally, the impact of the current land cover of the campus, and a greener land cover (as a renaturing scenario) with more planted trees on indoor thermal comfort of a house within the campus were studied. It was found that by adding 17% more trees to the campus, indoor thermal comfort was improved by 20.8% during the hottest day of 2017 in Manchester. These showed that renaturing cities could be a solution for future warmer climates.
Mohammad Taleghani; Alex Marshall; Richard Fitton; William Swan. Renaturing a microclimate: The impact of greening a neighbourhood on indoor thermal comfort during a heatwave in Manchester, UK. Solar Energy 2019, 182, 245 -255.
AMA StyleMohammad Taleghani, Alex Marshall, Richard Fitton, William Swan. Renaturing a microclimate: The impact of greening a neighbourhood on indoor thermal comfort during a heatwave in Manchester, UK. Solar Energy. 2019; 182 ():245-255.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMohammad Taleghani; Alex Marshall; Richard Fitton; William Swan. 2019. "Renaturing a microclimate: The impact of greening a neighbourhood on indoor thermal comfort during a heatwave in Manchester, UK." Solar Energy 182, no. : 245-255.
U-values of building elements are often determined using point measurements, where infrared imagery may be used to identify a suitable location for these measurements. Current methods identify that surface areas exhibiting a homogeneous temperature—away from regions of thermal bridging—can be used to obtain U-values. In doing so, however, the resulting U-value is assumed to represent that entire building element, contrary to the information given by the initial infrared inspection. This can be problematic when applying these measured U-values to models for predicting energy performance. Three techniques have been used to measure the U-values of external building elements of a full-scale replica of a pre-1920s U.K. home under controlled conditions: point measurements, using heat flux meters, and two variations of infrared thermography at high and low resolutions. U-values determined from each technique were used to calibrate a model of that building and predictions of the heat transfer coefficient, annual energy consumption, and fuel cost were made. Point measurements and low-resolution infrared thermography were found to represent a relatively small proportion of the overall U-value distribution. By propagating the variation of U-values found using high-resolution thermography, the predicted heat transfer coefficient (HTC) was found to vary between 183 W/K to 235 W/K (±12%). This also led to subsequent variations in the predictions for annual energy consumption for heating (between 4923 kWh and 5481 kWh, ±11%); and in the predicted cost of that energy consumption (between £227 and £281, ±24%). This variation is indicative of the sensitivity of energy simulations to sensor placement when carrying out point measurements for U-values.
Alex Marshall; Johann Francou; Richard Fitton; William Swan; Jacob Owen; Moaad Benjaber. Variations in the U-Value Measurement of a Whole Dwelling Using Infrared Thermography under Controlled Conditions. Buildings 2018, 8, 46 .
AMA StyleAlex Marshall, Johann Francou, Richard Fitton, William Swan, Jacob Owen, Moaad Benjaber. Variations in the U-Value Measurement of a Whole Dwelling Using Infrared Thermography under Controlled Conditions. Buildings. 2018; 8 (3):46.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlex Marshall; Johann Francou; Richard Fitton; William Swan; Jacob Owen; Moaad Benjaber. 2018. "Variations in the U-Value Measurement of a Whole Dwelling Using Infrared Thermography under Controlled Conditions." Buildings 8, no. 3: 46.
William Swan; R. Fitton; C. Gorse; David Farmer; M. Benjaber. The staged retrofit of a solid wall property under controlled conditions. Energy and Buildings 2017, 156, 250 -257.
AMA StyleWilliam Swan, R. Fitton, C. Gorse, David Farmer, M. Benjaber. The staged retrofit of a solid wall property under controlled conditions. Energy and Buildings. 2017; 156 ():250-257.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWilliam Swan; R. Fitton; C. Gorse; David Farmer; M. Benjaber. 2017. "The staged retrofit of a solid wall property under controlled conditions." Energy and Buildings 156, no. : 250-257.
Purpose The Retrofit State of the Nation Survey has tracked the perceptions of social housing sector professionals’ views of retrofit since 2010. It has taken the form of three surveys conducted in 2010, 2013 and 2015. Here, the authors bring together the three surveys to specifically address the adoption and perceived effectiveness of retrofit technology in social housing projects. The purpose of this paper is to identify the changing perceptions of social housing professionals over a period of significant policy change within in the sector. Design/methodology/approach The research takes the form of a cross-sectional attitudinal, self-completion survey, covering sections considering the adoption levels and perceived effectiveness of different retrofit technologies. The target sample was medium to larger scale registered social housing providers. The surveys were conducted in 2010, 2013 and 2015. Findings In terms of effectiveness, the reliance on tried and tested technologies is apparent. Emerging or more complex technologies have declined in perceived effectiveness over the period. It is clear that social housing has adopted a wide range of technologies, and the larger providers, with whom this survey is undertaken, potentially represent a significant pool of UK retrofit experience. Originality/value The survey provides a record of the changing attitudes of social housing providers to specific technologies over the period of 2010-2015, which has seen significant changes in the energy and social housing policy. The findings show the link between policy instruments and adoption, with policy instruments mapping to adoption in the sector. Perceived effectiveness reflects a preference for more established technologies, an issue that is highlighted in the recent Bonfield Review.
William Swan; Richard Fitton; Luke Smith; Carl Abbott; Liz Smith. Adoption of sustainable retrofit in UK social housing 2010-2015. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation 2017, 35, 456 -469.
AMA StyleWilliam Swan, Richard Fitton, Luke Smith, Carl Abbott, Liz Smith. Adoption of sustainable retrofit in UK social housing 2010-2015. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation. 2017; 35 (5):456-469.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWilliam Swan; Richard Fitton; Luke Smith; Carl Abbott; Liz Smith. 2017. "Adoption of sustainable retrofit in UK social housing 2010-2015." International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation 35, no. 5: 456-469.
A. Marshall; R. Fitton; W. Swan; D. Farmer; D. Johnston; M. Benjaber; Y. Ji. Domestic building fabric performance: Closing the gap between the in situ measured and modelled performance. Energy and Buildings 2017, 150, 307 -317.
AMA StyleA. Marshall, R. Fitton, W. Swan, D. Farmer, D. Johnston, M. Benjaber, Y. Ji. Domestic building fabric performance: Closing the gap between the in situ measured and modelled performance. Energy and Buildings. 2017; 150 ():307-317.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Marshall; R. Fitton; W. Swan; D. Farmer; D. Johnston; M. Benjaber; Y. Ji. 2017. "Domestic building fabric performance: Closing the gap between the in situ measured and modelled performance." Energy and Buildings 150, no. : 307-317.
The residential sector is responsible for 29% of the total energy consumption of the UK, with 62% of this energy being used for space heating. Heat loss through the fabric of building elements is a crucial factor in the energy efficiency of homes, and a wide number of studies have looked at physical interventions to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings, commonly called retrofit. This research considers the impact of window coverings on reducing heat loss from homes, a measure that is not commonly considered an energy efficiency intervention. Although the amount of glazing varies widely between homes, all windows are a significant factor contributing to heat loss. While physical changes such as double and triple glazing can improve the energy performance of buildings, the impact of curtains and blinds is not well characterised. Previous research into window coverings has been undertaken using laboratory tests, such as hotbox and small climatic chamber environments. This study presents the impact of window coverings on heat loss within a unique whole house test facility. This allows for a better replication of a real heating system and the effects that it has on localised heat transfer. This gives a more detailed picture of in situ performance, similar to that which may be found in the field.
Richard Fitton; William Swan; Tara Hughes; Moaad Benjaber. The thermal performance of window coverings in a whole house test facility with single-glazed sash windows. Energy Efficiency 2017, 10, 1419 -1431.
AMA StyleRichard Fitton, William Swan, Tara Hughes, Moaad Benjaber. The thermal performance of window coverings in a whole house test facility with single-glazed sash windows. Energy Efficiency. 2017; 10 (6):1419-1431.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRichard Fitton; William Swan; Tara Hughes; Moaad Benjaber. 2017. "The thermal performance of window coverings in a whole house test facility with single-glazed sash windows." Energy Efficiency 10, no. 6: 1419-1431.
Aránzazu Galán González; Miguel Ángel Gómez Zotano; William Swan; Philippe Bouillard; Hisham Elkadi. Maturity Matrix Assessment: Evaluation of Energy Efficiency Strategies in Brussels Historic Residential Stock. Energy Procedia 2017, 111, 407 -416.
AMA StyleAránzazu Galán González, Miguel Ángel Gómez Zotano, William Swan, Philippe Bouillard, Hisham Elkadi. Maturity Matrix Assessment: Evaluation of Energy Efficiency Strategies in Brussels Historic Residential Stock. Energy Procedia. 2017; 111 ():407-416.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAránzazu Galán González; Miguel Ángel Gómez Zotano; William Swan; Philippe Bouillard; Hisham Elkadi. 2017. "Maturity Matrix Assessment: Evaluation of Energy Efficiency Strategies in Brussels Historic Residential Stock." Energy Procedia 111, no. : 407-416.
Reducing space heating energy demand supports the UK’s legislated carbon emission reduction targets and requires the effective characterisation of the UK’s existing housing stock to facilitate retrofitting decision-making. Approximately 6.6 million UK dwellings pre-date 1919 and are predominantly of suspended timber ground floor construction, the thermal performance of which has not been extensively investigated. This paper examines suspended timber ground floor heat-flow by presenting high resolution in-situ heat-flux measurements undertaken in a case study house at 15 point locations on the floor. The results highlight significant variability in observed heat-flow: point U-values range from 0.56 ± 0.05 to 1.18 ± 0.11 Wm−2 K−1. This highlights that observing only a few measurements is unlikely to be representative of the whole floor heat-flow and the extrapolation from such point values to whole floor U-value estimates could lead to its over- or under- estimation. Floor U-value models appear to underestimate the actual measured floor U-value in this case study. This paper highlights the care with which in-situ heat-flux measuring must be undertaken to enable comparison with models, literature and between studies and the findings support the unique, high-resolution in-situ monitoring methodology used in this study for further research in this area.
Sofie Pelsmakers; R. Fitton; P. Biddulph; William Swan; B. Croxford; S. Stamp; F.C.F. Calboli; David Shipworth; R. Lowe; C.A. Elwell. Heat-flow variability of suspended timber ground floors: Implications for in-situ heat-flux measuring. Energy and Buildings 2016, 138, 396 -405.
AMA StyleSofie Pelsmakers, R. Fitton, P. Biddulph, William Swan, B. Croxford, S. Stamp, F.C.F. Calboli, David Shipworth, R. Lowe, C.A. Elwell. Heat-flow variability of suspended timber ground floors: Implications for in-situ heat-flux measuring. Energy and Buildings. 2016; 138 ():396-405.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSofie Pelsmakers; R. Fitton; P. Biddulph; William Swan; B. Croxford; S. Stamp; F.C.F. Calboli; David Shipworth; R. Lowe; C.A. Elwell. 2016. "Heat-flow variability of suspended timber ground floors: Implications for in-situ heat-flux measuring." Energy and Buildings 138, no. : 396-405.
The energy consumed by domestic space heating systems represents a considerable share of the energy consumed in the UK. At the same time up to a quarter of English homes have inadequate controls on the central heating systems. Current modelling tools, and results from the limited field trials that have been carried out, are problematic due to the influence of the behaviour of occupants and variability of weather conditions. The Salford Energy House is a full-sized end terrace house built within a climate controlled laboratory. This allows a house of typical construction to be extensively analysed while completely disconnected from the unpredictability of weather conditions and human behaviour. This paper presents a series of tests carried out in the Salford Energy House into the effectiveness of installing room thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves. Savings of 40% in terms of energy consumption, cost and CO2 were achieved. The results should be regarded with caution in terms of their extent and application to real homes, but represent a significant contribution to the gap in current knowledge due to the ability to isolate the performance of homes from uncooperative variables, and a potential base for the development of more effective modelling tools. Practical application: This research provides evidence to support installation and use of room thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves as an effective means of reducing domestic energy consumption and overheating.
Richard Fitton; William Swan; Tara Hughes; Moaad Benjaber; Stephen Todd. Assessing the performance of domestic heating controls in a whole house test facility. Building Services Engineering Research and Technology 2016, 37, 539 -554.
AMA StyleRichard Fitton, William Swan, Tara Hughes, Moaad Benjaber, Stephen Todd. Assessing the performance of domestic heating controls in a whole house test facility. Building Services Engineering Research and Technology. 2016; 37 (5):539-554.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRichard Fitton; William Swan; Tara Hughes; Moaad Benjaber; Stephen Todd. 2016. "Assessing the performance of domestic heating controls in a whole house test facility." Building Services Engineering Research and Technology 37, no. 5: 539-554.
Philip Brown; William Swan; Sharon Chahal. Erratum to: Retrofitting social housing: reflections by tenants on adopting and living with retrofit technology. Energy Efficiency 2015, 8, 1263 -1263.
AMA StylePhilip Brown, William Swan, Sharon Chahal. Erratum to: Retrofitting social housing: reflections by tenants on adopting and living with retrofit technology. Energy Efficiency. 2015; 8 (6):1263-1263.
Chicago/Turabian StylePhilip Brown; William Swan; Sharon Chahal. 2015. "Erratum to: Retrofitting social housing: reflections by tenants on adopting and living with retrofit technology." Energy Efficiency 8, no. 6: 1263-1263.
There is a growing body of evidence concerning the energy efficiency performance of domestic buildings in the UK, driven by policy-based agendas, such as the need for zero carbon dioxide homes by 2016 for new build homes, and the prior Green Deal and energy company obligation for sustainable refurbishment. While there have been a number of studies funded and results presented in this area, little work has been done to understand the drivers, practices and issues of data collection and analysis. There are a number of major building performance evaluation (BPE) studies in the UK, yet behind many of these research projects are practical issues of data loss, experimental error, data analysis variances and resident issues that are common when studies move from the actual to the living lab. In this paper the issues of domestic energy are addressed by leading BPE practitioners in the UK. They identify issues of client demands, technical failure, costs and implementation. This work provides insights of both academic and industry-based practitioners and considers, not only the practicalities of building performance studies, but also issues for these types of studies in the future.
Will Swan; Richard Fitton; Phil Brown; William Swan. A UK practitioner view of domestic energy performance measurement. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering Sustainability 2015, 168, 140 -147.
AMA StyleWill Swan, Richard Fitton, Phil Brown, William Swan. A UK practitioner view of domestic energy performance measurement. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering Sustainability. 2015; 168 (3):140-147.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWill Swan; Richard Fitton; Phil Brown; William Swan. 2015. "A UK practitioner view of domestic energy performance measurement." Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering Sustainability 168, no. 3: 140-147.
Yingchun Ji; Richard Fitton; Will Swan; Peter Webster; William Swan. Assessing overheating of the UK existing dwellings – A case study of replica Victorian end terrace house. Building and Environment 2014, 77, 1 -11.
AMA StyleYingchun Ji, Richard Fitton, Will Swan, Peter Webster, William Swan. Assessing overheating of the UK existing dwellings – A case study of replica Victorian end terrace house. Building and Environment. 2014; 77 ():1-11.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYingchun Ji; Richard Fitton; Will Swan; Peter Webster; William Swan. 2014. "Assessing overheating of the UK existing dwellings – A case study of replica Victorian end terrace house." Building and Environment 77, no. : 1-11.
Retrofit has been described as one of the major engineering challenges of the twenty-first century (Kelly 2009). However, the industry needs to look beyond regarding the problem as restricted to the physical upgrade of properties. Asset managers, engineers and installers work on and in people’s homes and, in many cases, are subsequently changing the way householders use their homes to meet their comfort and wider energy needs. Here we consider how the twin issues of adopting and living with retrofit technologies have affected groups of residents in social housing. We discuss issues of trust, social norms, engagement and concern that have shaped the adoption process, as well as investigating the everyday experience of living with new configurations of energy consumption. The findings have relevance not only for the social housing sector but also raise questions as to how to effectively deliver programmes such as the Green Deal and the Energy Company Obligation within the UK.
Philip Brown; William Swan; Sharon Chahal. Retrofitting social housing: reflections by tenants on adopting and living with retrofit technology. Energy Efficiency 2014, 7, 641 -653.
AMA StylePhilip Brown, William Swan, Sharon Chahal. Retrofitting social housing: reflections by tenants on adopting and living with retrofit technology. Energy Efficiency. 2014; 7 (4):641-653.
Chicago/Turabian StylePhilip Brown; William Swan; Sharon Chahal. 2014. "Retrofitting social housing: reflections by tenants on adopting and living with retrofit technology." Energy Efficiency 7, no. 4: 641-653.
William Swan; Les Ruddock; Luke Smith. Low carbon retrofit: attitudes and readiness within the social housing sector. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management 2013, 20, 522 -535.
AMA StyleWilliam Swan, Les Ruddock, Luke Smith. Low carbon retrofit: attitudes and readiness within the social housing sector. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management. 2013; 20 (5):522-535.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWilliam Swan; Les Ruddock; Luke Smith. 2013. "Low carbon retrofit: attitudes and readiness within the social housing sector." Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management 20, no. 5: 522-535.
William Swan. Retrofit innovation in the UK social housing sector. Retrofitting the Built Environment 2013, 36 -52.
AMA StyleWilliam Swan. Retrofit innovation in the UK social housing sector. Retrofitting the Built Environment. 2013; ():36-52.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWilliam Swan. 2013. "Retrofit innovation in the UK social housing sector." Retrofitting the Built Environment , no. : 36-52.
William Swan; Philip Brown. Retrofitting the built environment. Retrofitting the Built Environment 2013, 1 -4.
AMA StyleWilliam Swan, Philip Brown. Retrofitting the built environment. Retrofitting the Built Environment. 2013; ():1-4.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWilliam Swan; Philip Brown. 2013. "Retrofitting the built environment." Retrofitting the Built Environment , no. : 1-4.
The selection of the correct options to upgrade a building to improve its energy performance is an essential part of the sustainable retrofit process. It requires a complex mix of skills to identify and deliver the most effective combination of measures; building surveying, energy assessment, an appreciation of the current supply chain options and architectural skills are all needed to provide a holistic understanding of the solutions available. Given the scale of the retrofit challenge and the level of skills required, the development of effective options for appraisal tools is essential. Here we discuss two related approaches developed in tandem: one by Urbed, an architecture, urban design and sustainability practice in Manchester, and another by Fusion21, a social enterprise offering procurement services to the social housing sector. While both approaches work at different scales, from single house to whole stock level, they each rely on detailed information about the properties as well as understanding a wide range of factors with regards to any potential upgrade including energy performance, buildability and long‐term use issues. These models move away from the assumption of heavy archetypes and broad categories of improvements to understanding specific elements and developing a detailed understanding of the specific product families that might be applied to deliver long‐term energy savings.
Charlie Baker; Luke Smith; William Swan. Make no assumptions. Retrofitting the Built Environment 2013, 97 -112.
AMA StyleCharlie Baker, Luke Smith, William Swan. Make no assumptions. Retrofitting the Built Environment. 2013; ():97-112.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCharlie Baker; Luke Smith; William Swan. 2013. "Make no assumptions." Retrofitting the Built Environment , no. : 97-112.
William Swan; Les Ruddock; Luke Smith; Richard Fitton. Adoption of sustainable retrofit in UK social housing. Structural Survey 2013, 31, 181 -193.
AMA StyleWilliam Swan, Les Ruddock, Luke Smith, Richard Fitton. Adoption of sustainable retrofit in UK social housing. Structural Survey. 2013; 31 (3):181-193.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWilliam Swan; Les Ruddock; Luke Smith; Richard Fitton. 2013. "Adoption of sustainable retrofit in UK social housing." Structural Survey 31, no. 3: 181-193.