Case Study: Solar assessment for 5-star accommodation
Company
Glasgow Caledonian University Experts
School of the Built & Natural Environment
Company profile
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| Foxglove Cottages |
Foxglove Cottages are 5 star self-catering cottages based in Drymen, on the West Highland Way and Cycle Track within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. The owners now wish to develop their business to provide additional holiday cottages and where possible improve on their ‘green’ credentials.
Background
Foxglove Cottages’ project is to develop 10-12 holiday cottages to add to their existing cottages to add to their existing cottages. They were keen to utilise any systems and materials that would increase sustainability within their cottages and looked to find out what their energy requirements would be and the best way to address these.
The research undertaken would then allow them to make the most informed decisions based on feasibility and relative benefits and would allow them to scope in or out certain systems.
The Project
After discussing Foxglove Cottages’ requirements in terms of energy research and insulation, KIT-OUT the Park introduced them to two experts from the School of Built and Natural Environment to look at the feasibility of solar energy water heating collectors with reference to requirements and pay-pack period. In addition advice would be provided on the most suitable insulation for the buildings together with an assessment of the heating options and overall energy requirements, including cost savings.
The second aspect was undertaken by the Research on Indoor Climate & Health (RICH) Centre which specialises in analysing building fabric and internal environments.
Outcomes
A site visit and solar survey was undertaken which showed that as the site was surrounded by mature trees, it would be difficult to get adequate sunshine to make solar an option. It was therefore difficult to recommend solar panels for either water heating or electricity generation as payback periods would be very long.
A standard timber frame kit from Foxglove Cottages’ preferred supplier was used as a baseline for investigation of insulation levels. It was found that the base construction was sufficiently far in advance of the minimum requirements of the Building Standards although certain variations in replacing plasterboard could aid marginally with thermal performance, thereby making a difference to the estimated running costs.
The various heating systems proposed for the new cottages will have a significant effect on running costs and recommendations were provided taking into account carbon emissions for building control purposes
The Next Stage
The report identified key issues which will have an impact on the proposed design of the cottages. This has been extremely important to the owners of Foxglove Cottages who are now considering the location of their cottages and are in talks with the National Park Planning Department.
