U value of ZERO
16/03/2010 STOP PRESS
The most thermally efficient walls available.
‘U’ value of ZERO
Paul Boyce and the PolySteel research team based in Cheltenham are in discussions with Birmingham University to research this simple but original idea which could if proved bring about a quantum shift in how to best create thermally efficient housing with minimal insulation thickness and related cost.
The wall design is based around PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms which consist of two layers of super insulating panels between which is sandwiched a very strong dense concrete together providing a very high thermal mass wall. See www.polysteel.co.uk
The high thermal mass of this kind of wall has been proved to protect you from any changes in the outside temperature for longer than any other wall system giving stable living environment temperatures throughout the year. The concept of ‘WARMERWALL’ is to enhance the qualities of the PolySteel wall so that no heat is lost through the wall under all but exceptionally lengthy low external temperatures, imagine a wall with a zero ‘U’ value. The concept is realised by introducing a heat source into the wall core equal to the temperature being enjoyed inside the room (around 20degC). If there is no temperature difference between the room temperature and the wall core there will be no loss of heat into the wall.
The wall core will be heated by conduction from either direct electrical heating elements or by heat transfer from a medium such as for example but not exclusively, piped water. The transfer medium will source its heat supply from a remote location, possibly solar panels. Either method would depend on good conduction between the heat source or medium and the high mass concrete core this would prove very much more difficult with timber or block design walls.
Because of the already super efficient performance of PolySteel walls the amount of energy needed to raise the wall temperature to 20degC can easily be provided from a relatively small array of Photo voltaic panels or low heat grade Solar water panels. It is likely that Code for Sustainable Homes level 5 and above will require renewables such as solar and or PV panels to achieve code.
