Research into performance of, and measures to improve the performance of, UK dwellings with Cavity Walls. (2 LOTS)

Research and testing facilities construction work. Research and development services and related consultancy services. Research and experimental development services. Research services. Technical services. Technical support services. Technical planning services. Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services. Electricity, heating, solar and nuclear energy. Energy and related services. Energy-management services. Energy-efficiency consultancy services. Research into performance of, and measures to improve the performance of, UK dwellings with Cavity Walls.

LOT 1 Undertake research into the performance of cavity walls built since 1980.

In order to better understand the energy efficiency of UK dwellings DECC is looking for a contractor or contractors to undertake in situ measurements of a sample of post 1985 cavity wall properties in order to check their performance.

The work specified here needs to be undertaken over winter, with results to available by the end of March 2016, following the end of the heating season. The contractor will therefore need to bear this in mind when suggesting a methodology, sampling strategy and sample size.

LOT 2 Review and appraisal of existing evidence on methods to improve the energy performance of non-standard cavity walls and lofts.

Non-standard Cavities

DECC has previously commissioned research into the estimated number and type of non-standard cavity walls in Great Britain. However, DECC has been made aware of a new source of evidence on cavity wall properties in the UK: the National House Building Register. DECC wishes for this source of data to be considered alongside other sources available to help review the number of non-standard cavity wall properties. We require a clear methodology for estimating the numbers in each category to be set out so that any review of numbers in the future can easily be carried out. We also require an assessment of different approaches to improving the energy efficiency of these dwellings and the costs and benefits associated with such improvements.

Non-standard Lofts

There has been no research commissioned by DECC on the estimated number of non-standard lofts in the UK. We therefore wish to commission research that helps identify the number of “non-standard” lofts and creates a sub-categorisation that would allow a forward plan for their treatment to be identified. We also require an assessment of different approaches to improving the energy efficiency of these dwellings and the costs and benefits associated with such improvements.