Space heating in the Capenhurst low energy houses.

ECRC Capenhurst co-operated with two firms of builders to design, build and sell four low energy houses. The houses were insulated to a high standard and fitted with mechanical ventilation. The average annual space heating energy consumption of the four houses was some 6,000 kWh, 95% of which was provided at low tariff rate by storage heaters. The whole house average temperature over the heating season ranged from 17.6 to 20.3 degrees C for the four houses. The owners maintained the living room at a constant comfortable level, while bedroom temperatures varied with the weather, with a slope of 0.4 K/degree change in outside temperature. The combined storage capacity of the radiators was 40 kWh. The report suggests how future heating installations might be modified and improved. Some equipment could be simplified. The lounge storage fan heater was sufficient for all heating needs, and the radiant heater played little part as a provider of supplementary heat. Time clock control on the fan output could, with advantage, be replaced by amanually switched thermostat. An increase in capacity of the hall storage heater above the minimum design value wound give increased owner satisfaction. Occasional bedroom heating as necessary; time clock control could be an advantage.