{"id":{"repo_id":"salford","oai_identifier":"oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1324533"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/salford/oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1324533","repository":{"repo_id":"salford","name":"U. of Salford","base_url":"https://salford-repository.worktribe.com/oaiprovider"},"display":{"title":"The role of aesthetics in energy-retrofit strategies: the case of solid wall houses in the UK","abstract":"Solid wall dwellings are responsible for 36% of the carbon emission from thedomestic sector in the UK. Among energy retrofit measures, Solid WallInsulation (SWI) is the most effective in reducing energy demand. However,the current rate for insulation of solid walls is lower than desired in the UK, andonly 9% of solid wall houses are insulated. To meet the 2050 net-zeroemissions target, a higher rate of insulation is required to improve the energyefficiency of old stock. Innovative and encouraging retrofit plans are urgentlyrequired to unlock the demand for SWI, which will improve the energyperformance of old dwellings. This study aims to contribute toward aninnovative solution for the uptake of Internal Solid Wall Insulation (ISWI)demand in the energy technology industry.Two interconnected gaps in the literature were identified. One gap is the lackof clear information on the performance benefits of SWI as a single retrofitmeasure in solid wall homes, which is a cause of uncertainty for householders.This uncertainty about potential energy savings arising from the U-values ofwalls in solid wall properties has led to under- or over-estimation of SWIperformance. The second gap is the need for innovative solutions to unlockthe demand for slow progressed SWI in the UK. In home improvement, theaesthetic factor is seen as a trigger for renovation to start. Aesthetic renovationis more of an issue for internal spaces and is happening routinely as avoluntary approach by residents. Hence, the idea of integrating the aestheticfactor in ISWI is recommended in this study for the first time, and its importancein renovation for householders and in the uptake of ISWI is evaluated. Toaddress the knowledge gap about ISWI energy-saving benefits, an energyassessment phase is designed in this research to contribute to providing clearinformation about the benefits of ISWI itself for a variety of identified U-valuesfor solid brick walls using the developed validated model of the Salford EnergyHouse testing facility with a negligible model performance error. For thesecond gap, aesthetic inclusion in ISWI and its impact on householders’ viewstowards the uptake of ISWI is evaluated using an online survey. The resultsfrom both phases of this research are then used to provide recommendationsfor policy makers, the retrofit industry, and designers, in support of theacceleration of ISWI in the uninsulated UK stock.The focus of the energy assessment phase (Phase 1) was on U-value variationas the key parameter for energy-saving evaluations. The energy performanceof pre-and post-IWI in the Salford Energy House (SEH) is investigated; this isa replica of a pre-1919 Victorian solid wall terraced house. The modellingsoftware IES-VE was used to develop a model for the SEH, and this modelwas validated against collected experimental data. The baseline solid wall Uvalue for SEH changed between 0.64-2.48 W/m²K to model different solid wallsbefore insulation and the benefits of insulation assessed. The result of thisphase contributes towards a better understanding of the energy savingpotential of IWI within the UK and provides a more realistic picture of itsbenefits for policymakers and relevant stakeholders. Based on the results, theannual heating energy saving varies significantly depending on the baselinewall U-values, ranging from 19% to 46.2%. The difference of cost savingpotentials between the cases with the lowest and highest baseline wall Uvalues is also high, with variance per year being £228. Thermal comfort(18°C<T<=23°C) was also evaluated for the selected case study with differentbaseline wall U-values. It was found that the thermal comfort improved withwall insulation while at the same time overheating is not significant for the casestudy using Manchester weather data.In the aesthetic evaluation phase, the second phase of this research, people’spreferences for aesthetics in renovation and its potential in promoting SWI wasexplored using an online survey. The data from the collected validated 273responses was analysed using SPSS software. The results show thataesthetics is a very important factor for most of the participants, since theaesthetic is found to be rated more than 90% important to participants, whichis in line with cost and energy saving factors in internal renovations. This resultalso confirms that including the aesthetics of wall insulation can challenge thenegative view of participants on losing internal space, where the disagreementlevel is only 10%. Additionally, the preferences of participants towardsaesthetics can surpass the concerns of cost since 88.6% of participants arewilling to pay more to achieve an aesthetically appealing insulation product.Furthermore, the views of participants were explored with respect to insulatingthe walls with internal aesthetic panels, which offer aesthetic and energysaving in a single package, and more than 50% of participants stated theirwillingness. From the results, more than 2/3rd of participants also agreed withdelivering both aesthetic and energy improvement in combined retrofit plansby established organisations. The significance of the aesthetic factor inrenovation and its inclusion in planning the SWI strategies, especially for IWI,are proven by the results of this study.In conclusion, it is necessary to boost the SWI intake with the highest potentialenergy saving compared to other retrofit measures in treating the uninsulatedproperties. It is recommended that policy makers include the aesthetic inplanning the SWI strategies to trigger its uptake. It is beneficial when interiordesigners and product designers contribute to the engagement ofhouseholders to raise awareness of the benefits from Internal Aesthetic WallInsulation (IAWI). This will unlock the demand for IWI by increasing the numberof potential customers and lowering the financial concerns of households. It isalso recommended that financial support be extended to cover theredecorating cost after installation of IWI. Home improvement and energyretrofit companies should come together to work closely in an integratedapproach to encourage IAWI for retrofitting old houses. IAWI does not onlyprovide energy saving but also the aesthetic improvement of internal spacescan be achieved. Furthermore, establishment of organisations to centralise theretrofit measures of old housing stock is recommended to offer both energysaving and aesthetic incentives to householders at the same time. This is toensure that householders are supported during the entire retrofit process inthe design, supervision, after care process, professional-quality delivery of theproject, subsidies application, cost and time frame of the retrofit project whilereceiving the aesthetic and energy saving benefits at the same time.","abstract_html":"Solid wall dwellings are responsible for 36% of the carbon emission from thedomestic sector in the UK. Among energy retrofit measures, Solid WallInsulation (SWI) is the most effective in reducing energy demand. However,the current rate for insulation of solid walls is lower than desired in the UK, andonly 9% of solid wall houses are insulated. To meet the 2050 net-zeroemissions target, a higher rate of insulation is required to improve the energyefficiency of old stock. Innovative and encouraging retrofit plans are urgentlyrequired to unlock the demand for SWI, which will improve the energyperformance of old dwellings. This study aims to contribute toward aninnovative solution for the uptake of Internal Solid Wall Insulation (ISWI)demand in the energy technology industry.Two interconnected gaps in the literature were identified. One gap is the lackof clear information on the performance benefits of SWI as a single retrofitmeasure in solid wall homes, which is a cause of uncertainty for householders.This uncertainty about potential energy savings arising from the U-values ofwalls in solid wall properties has led to under- or over-estimation of SWIperformance. The second gap is the need for innovative solutions to unlockthe demand for slow progressed SWI in the UK. In home improvement, theaesthetic factor is seen as a trigger for renovation to start. Aesthetic renovationis more of an issue for internal spaces and is happening routinely as avoluntary approach by residents. Hence, the idea of integrating the aestheticfactor in ISWI is recommended in this study for the first time, and its importancein renovation for householders and in the uptake of ISWI is evaluated. Toaddress the knowledge gap about ISWI energy-saving benefits, an energyassessment phase is designed in this research to contribute to providing clearinformation about the benefits of ISWI itself for a variety of identified U-valuesfor solid brick walls using the developed validated model of the Salford EnergyHouse testing facility with a negligible model performance error. For thesecond gap, aesthetic inclusion in ISWI and its impact on householders’ viewstowards the uptake of ISWI is evaluated using an online survey. The resultsfrom both phases of this research are then used to provide recommendationsfor policy makers, the retrofit industry, and designers, in support of theacceleration of ISWI in the uninsulated UK stock.The focus of the energy assessment phase (Phase 1) was on U-value variationas the key parameter for energy-saving evaluations. The energy performanceof pre-and post-IWI in the Salford Energy House (SEH) is investigated; this isa replica of a pre-1919 Victorian solid wall terraced house. The modellingsoftware IES-VE was used to develop a model for the SEH, and this modelwas validated against collected experimental data. The baseline solid wall Uvalue for SEH changed between 0.64-2.48 W/m²K to model different solid wallsbefore insulation and the benefits of insulation assessed. The result of thisphase contributes towards a better understanding of the energy savingpotential of IWI within the UK and provides a more realistic picture of itsbenefits for policymakers and relevant stakeholders. Based on the results, theannual heating energy saving varies significantly depending on the baselinewall U-values, ranging from 19% to 46.2%. The difference of cost savingpotentials between the cases with the lowest and highest baseline wall Uvalues is also high, with variance per year being £228. Thermal comfort(18°C&lt;T&lt;=23°C) was also evaluated for the selected case study with differentbaseline wall U-values. It was found that the thermal comfort improved withwall insulation while at the same time overheating is not significant for the casestudy using Manchester weather data.In the aesthetic evaluation phase, the second phase of this research, people’spreferences for aesthetics in renovation and its potential in promoting SWI wasexplored using an online survey. The data from the collected validated 273responses was analysed using SPSS software. The results show thataesthetics is a very important factor for most of the participants, since theaesthetic is found to be rated more than 90% important to participants, whichis in line with cost and energy saving factors in internal renovations. This resultalso confirms that including the aesthetics of wall insulation can challenge thenegative view of participants on losing internal space, where the disagreementlevel is only 10%. Additionally, the preferences of participants towardsaesthetics can surpass the concerns of cost since 88.6% of participants arewilling to pay more to achieve an aesthetically appealing insulation product.Furthermore, the views of participants were explored with respect to insulatingthe walls with internal aesthetic panels, which offer aesthetic and energysaving in a single package, and more than 50% of participants stated theirwillingness. From the results, more than 2/3rd of participants also agreed withdelivering both aesthetic and energy improvement in combined retrofit plansby established organisations. The significance of the aesthetic factor inrenovation and its inclusion in planning the SWI strategies, especially for IWI,are proven by the results of this study.In conclusion, it is necessary to boost the SWI intake with the highest potentialenergy saving compared to other retrofit measures in treating the uninsulatedproperties. It is recommended that policy makers include the aesthetic inplanning the SWI strategies to trigger its uptake. It is beneficial when interiordesigners and product designers contribute to the engagement ofhouseholders to raise awareness of the benefits from Internal Aesthetic WallInsulation (IAWI). This will unlock the demand for IWI by increasing the numberof potential customers and lowering the financial concerns of households. It isalso recommended that financial support be extended to cover theredecorating cost after installation of IWI. Home improvement and energyretrofit companies should come together to work closely in an integratedapproach to encourage IAWI for retrofitting old houses. IAWI does not onlyprovide energy saving but also the aesthetic improvement of internal spacescan be achieved. Furthermore, establishment of organisations to centralise theretrofit measures of old housing stock is recommended to offer both energysaving and aesthetic incentives to householders at the same time. This is toensure that householders are supported during the entire retrofit process inthe design, supervision, after care process, professional-quality delivery of theproject, subsidies application, cost and time frame of the retrofit project whilereceiving the aesthetic and energy saving benefits at the same time.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Seifhashemi, SM"],"institution":null,"degree_name":null,"degree_level":"Doctoral (Level 8)","degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2021,"date_issued":"2021","date_published":"2021","updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:26:03Z","subjects":[],"languages":["en"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1324533"],"render_values":[{"text":"oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1324533","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":null,"outbound_label":null,"outbound_source":null},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.sponsor","label":"Sponsor","values":["University of Salford"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Seifhashemi, SM"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date","label":"Dc Date","values":["2021-11-26"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2021"]},{"key":"dc:relation.isreferencedby","label":"Dc Relation Isreferencedby","values":["https://salford-repository.worktribe.com/output/1324533"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"dc:type.qualificationlevel","label":"Dc Type Qualificationlevel","values":["Doctoral (Level 8)"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language","label":"Dc Language","values":["en"]},{"key":"dc:rights.embargodate","label":"Dc Rights Embargodate","values":["2024-09-27"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1324533"]},{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://salford-repository.worktribe.com/file/1324533/1/Mahsa%20Seifhashemi-Full%20Thesis.pdf"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Solid wall dwellings are responsible for 36% of the carbon emission from thedomestic sector in the UK. Among energy retrofit measures, Solid WallInsulation (SWI) is the most effective in reducing energy demand. However,the current rate for insulation of solid walls is lower than desired in the UK, andonly 9% of solid wall houses are insulated. To meet the 2050 net-zeroemissions target, a higher rate of insulation is required to improve the energyefficiency of old stock. Innovative and encouraging retrofit plans are urgentlyrequired to unlock the demand for SWI, which will improve the energyperformance of old dwellings. This study aims to contribute toward aninnovative solution for the uptake of Internal Solid Wall Insulation (ISWI)demand in the energy technology industry.Two interconnected gaps in the literature were identified. One gap is the lackof clear information on the performance benefits of SWI as a single retrofitmeasure in solid wall homes, which is a cause of uncertainty for householders.This uncertainty about potential energy savings arising from the U-values ofwalls in solid wall properties has led to under- or over-estimation of SWIperformance. The second gap is the need for innovative solutions to unlockthe demand for slow progressed SWI in the UK. In home improvement, theaesthetic factor is seen as a trigger for renovation to start. Aesthetic renovationis more of an issue for internal spaces and is happening routinely as avoluntary approach by residents. Hence, the idea of integrating the aestheticfactor in ISWI is recommended in this study for the first time, and its importancein renovation for householders and in the uptake of ISWI is evaluated. Toaddress the knowledge gap about ISWI energy-saving benefits, an energyassessment phase is designed in this research to contribute to providing clearinformation about the benefits of ISWI itself for a variety of identified U-valuesfor solid brick walls using the developed validated model of the Salford EnergyHouse testing facility with a negligible model performance error. For thesecond gap, aesthetic inclusion in ISWI and its impact on householders’ viewstowards the uptake of ISWI is evaluated using an online survey. The resultsfrom both phases of this research are then used to provide recommendationsfor policy makers, the retrofit industry, and designers, in support of theacceleration of ISWI in the uninsulated UK stock.The focus of the energy assessment phase (Phase 1) was on U-value variationas the key parameter for energy-saving evaluations. The energy performanceof pre-and post-IWI in the Salford Energy House (SEH) is investigated; this isa replica of a pre-1919 Victorian solid wall terraced house. The modellingsoftware IES-VE was used to develop a model for the SEH, and this modelwas validated against collected experimental data. The baseline solid wall Uvalue for SEH changed between 0.64-2.48 W/m²K to model different solid wallsbefore insulation and the benefits of insulation assessed. The result of thisphase contributes towards a better understanding of the energy savingpotential of IWI within the UK and provides a more realistic picture of itsbenefits for policymakers and relevant stakeholders. Based on the results, theannual heating energy saving varies significantly depending on the baselinewall U-values, ranging from 19% to 46.2%. The difference of cost savingpotentials between the cases with the lowest and highest baseline wall Uvalues is also high, with variance per year being £228. Thermal comfort(18°C<T<=23°C) was also evaluated for the selected case study with differentbaseline wall U-values. It was found that the thermal comfort improved withwall insulation while at the same time overheating is not significant for the casestudy using Manchester weather data.In the aesthetic evaluation phase, the second phase of this research, people’spreferences for aesthetics in renovation and its potential in promoting SWI wasexplored using an online survey. The data from the collected validated 273responses was analysed using SPSS software. The results show thataesthetics is a very important factor for most of the participants, since theaesthetic is found to be rated more than 90% important to participants, whichis in line with cost and energy saving factors in internal renovations. This resultalso confirms that including the aesthetics of wall insulation can challenge thenegative view of participants on losing internal space, where the disagreementlevel is only 10%. Additionally, the preferences of participants towardsaesthetics can surpass the concerns of cost since 88.6% of participants arewilling to pay more to achieve an aesthetically appealing insulation product.Furthermore, the views of participants were explored with respect to insulatingthe walls with internal aesthetic panels, which offer aesthetic and energysaving in a single package, and more than 50% of participants stated theirwillingness. From the results, more than 2/3rd of participants also agreed withdelivering both aesthetic and energy improvement in combined retrofit plansby established organisations. The significance of the aesthetic factor inrenovation and its inclusion in planning the SWI strategies, especially for IWI,are proven by the results of this study.In conclusion, it is necessary to boost the SWI intake with the highest potentialenergy saving compared to other retrofit measures in treating the uninsulatedproperties. It is recommended that policy makers include the aesthetic inplanning the SWI strategies to trigger its uptake. It is beneficial when interiordesigners and product designers contribute to the engagement ofhouseholders to raise awareness of the benefits from Internal Aesthetic WallInsulation (IAWI). This will unlock the demand for IWI by increasing the numberof potential customers and lowering the financial concerns of households. It isalso recommended that financial support be extended to cover theredecorating cost after installation of IWI. Home improvement and energyretrofit companies should come together to work closely in an integratedapproach to encourage IAWI for retrofitting old houses. IAWI does not onlyprovide energy saving but also the aesthetic improvement of internal spacescan be achieved. Furthermore, establishment of organisations to centralise theretrofit measures of old housing stock is recommended to offer both energysaving and aesthetic incentives to householders at the same time. This is toensure that householders are supported during the entire retrofit process inthe design, supervision, after care process, professional-quality delivery of theproject, subsidies application, cost and time frame of the retrofit project whilereceiving the aesthetic and energy saving benefits at the same time."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["The role of aesthetics in energy-retrofit strategies: the case of solid wall houses in the UK"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.sponsor":["University of Salford"],"dc:creator":["Seifhashemi, SM"],"dc:date":["2021-11-26"],"dc:date.issued":["2021"],"dc:description.abstract":["Solid wall dwellings are responsible for 36% of the carbon emission from thedomestic sector in the UK. Among energy retrofit measures, Solid WallInsulation (SWI) is the most effective in reducing energy demand. However,the current rate for insulation of solid walls is lower than desired in the UK, andonly 9% of solid wall houses are insulated. To meet the 2050 net-zeroemissions target, a higher rate of insulation is required to improve the energyefficiency of old stock. Innovative and encouraging retrofit plans are urgentlyrequired to unlock the demand for SWI, which will improve the energyperformance of old dwellings. This study aims to contribute toward aninnovative solution for the uptake of Internal Solid Wall Insulation (ISWI)demand in the energy technology industry.Two interconnected gaps in the literature were identified. One gap is the lackof clear information on the performance benefits of SWI as a single retrofitmeasure in solid wall homes, which is a cause of uncertainty for householders.This uncertainty about potential energy savings arising from the U-values ofwalls in solid wall properties has led to under- or over-estimation of SWIperformance. The second gap is the need for innovative solutions to unlockthe demand for slow progressed SWI in the UK. In home improvement, theaesthetic factor is seen as a trigger for renovation to start. Aesthetic renovationis more of an issue for internal spaces and is happening routinely as avoluntary approach by residents. Hence, the idea of integrating the aestheticfactor in ISWI is recommended in this study for the first time, and its importancein renovation for householders and in the uptake of ISWI is evaluated. Toaddress the knowledge gap about ISWI energy-saving benefits, an energyassessment phase is designed in this research to contribute to providing clearinformation about the benefits of ISWI itself for a variety of identified U-valuesfor solid brick walls using the developed validated model of the Salford EnergyHouse testing facility with a negligible model performance error. For thesecond gap, aesthetic inclusion in ISWI and its impact on householders’ viewstowards the uptake of ISWI is evaluated using an online survey. The resultsfrom both phases of this research are then used to provide recommendationsfor policy makers, the retrofit industry, and designers, in support of theacceleration of ISWI in the uninsulated UK stock.The focus of the energy assessment phase (Phase 1) was on U-value variationas the key parameter for energy-saving evaluations. The energy performanceof pre-and post-IWI in the Salford Energy House (SEH) is investigated; this isa replica of a pre-1919 Victorian solid wall terraced house. The modellingsoftware IES-VE was used to develop a model for the SEH, and this modelwas validated against collected experimental data. The baseline solid wall Uvalue for SEH changed between 0.64-2.48 W/m²K to model different solid wallsbefore insulation and the benefits of insulation assessed. The result of thisphase contributes towards a better understanding of the energy savingpotential of IWI within the UK and provides a more realistic picture of itsbenefits for policymakers and relevant stakeholders. Based on the results, theannual heating energy saving varies significantly depending on the baselinewall U-values, ranging from 19% to 46.2%. The difference of cost savingpotentials between the cases with the lowest and highest baseline wall Uvalues is also high, with variance per year being £228. Thermal comfort(18°C<T<=23°C) was also evaluated for the selected case study with differentbaseline wall U-values. It was found that the thermal comfort improved withwall insulation while at the same time overheating is not significant for the casestudy using Manchester weather data.In the aesthetic evaluation phase, the second phase of this research, people’spreferences for aesthetics in renovation and its potential in promoting SWI wasexplored using an online survey. The data from the collected validated 273responses was analysed using SPSS software. The results show thataesthetics is a very important factor for most of the participants, since theaesthetic is found to be rated more than 90% important to participants, whichis in line with cost and energy saving factors in internal renovations. This resultalso confirms that including the aesthetics of wall insulation can challenge thenegative view of participants on losing internal space, where the disagreementlevel is only 10%. Additionally, the preferences of participants towardsaesthetics can surpass the concerns of cost since 88.6% of participants arewilling to pay more to achieve an aesthetically appealing insulation product.Furthermore, the views of participants were explored with respect to insulatingthe walls with internal aesthetic panels, which offer aesthetic and energysaving in a single package, and more than 50% of participants stated theirwillingness. From the results, more than 2/3rd of participants also agreed withdelivering both aesthetic and energy improvement in combined retrofit plansby established organisations. The significance of the aesthetic factor inrenovation and its inclusion in planning the SWI strategies, especially for IWI,are proven by the results of this study.In conclusion, it is necessary to boost the SWI intake with the highest potentialenergy saving compared to other retrofit measures in treating the uninsulatedproperties. It is recommended that policy makers include the aesthetic inplanning the SWI strategies to trigger its uptake. It is beneficial when interiordesigners and product designers contribute to the engagement ofhouseholders to raise awareness of the benefits from Internal Aesthetic WallInsulation (IAWI). This will unlock the demand for IWI by increasing the numberof potential customers and lowering the financial concerns of households. It isalso recommended that financial support be extended to cover theredecorating cost after installation of IWI. Home improvement and energyretrofit companies should come together to work closely in an integratedapproach to encourage IAWI for retrofitting old houses. IAWI does not onlyprovide energy saving but also the aesthetic improvement of internal spacescan be achieved. Furthermore, establishment of organisations to centralise theretrofit measures of old housing stock is recommended to offer both energysaving and aesthetic incentives to householders at the same time. This is toensure that householders are supported during the entire retrofit process inthe design, supervision, after care process, professional-quality delivery of theproject, subsidies application, cost and time frame of the retrofit project whilereceiving the aesthetic and energy saving benefits at the same time."],"dc:identifier":["oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1324533"],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://salford-repository.worktribe.com/file/1324533/1/Mahsa%20Seifhashemi-Full%20Thesis.pdf"],"dc:language":["en"],"dc:relation.isreferencedby":["https://salford-repository.worktribe.com/output/1324533"],"dc:rights.embargodate":["2024-09-27"],"dc:title":["The role of aesthetics in energy-retrofit strategies: the case of solid wall houses in the UK"],"dc:type":["Thesis"],"dc:type.qualificationlevel":["Doctoral (Level 8)"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:26:03Z"}