THE CLIENT

Hampshire County Council had received funding through the PSDS (Public sector Decarbonisation Scheme) to provide more energy efficient buildings for schools, by insulating buildings to minimise heat loss, lower their energy consumption and increase their energy efficiency in line with government policy towards their “Net Zero” goals. In the process, lowering their monthly energy costs and saving money that is better spent towards education.

THE PROBLEM

School complexes and buildings were losing heat through the external walls, with cold spots in certain areas, damp or condensation build up in classrooms and huge monthly energy bills. Some individual schools reported having heating on full through most of the year, but still cold, damp and drafts for their teachers and pupils to work in, with other schools complaining that some areas or rooms being used as storerooms as too uncomfortable to be in.

THE SOLUTION

Cavity wall insulation is an excellent measure to maximise heat retention, minimise heat loss and create a building that is warm for the teachers and pupils, but also good for the school in terms of redirecting money into more educational resources.

We developed a planned installation process with each individual school, at times and dates that suited their needs, carried out remedial works to ensure the buildings external brickwork were watertight and cavities sealed. Pre-start meetings were held prior to all works, with head teachers, site managers, council project managers and TF Energy project managers and health & safety representatives. Health and safety toolbox talks were carried out daily through the entire work at each school and all risk assessments and method statements were adhered to.

Cavity Wall Insulation product Eco Bead was installed using formulated drill patterns to all specified walls, by our highly skilled, qualified, and experienced installers, using a range of methods, such as ladder work, mobile towers, scaffolding and cherry pickers.

THE RESULT

All schools were insulated correctly with an excellent product, within the agreed timeframes and on budget.

Audit Inspections were carried by the product designers (Instabead) and the 25-year guarantees have been issued by the IAA on all schools insulated. The installation process went extremely smooth with no issues and making good was carried out to all working areas, with repairs to brickwork, guttering and foliage removal.

All schools expressed their appreciation for the professionalism of our installers and office team, with some sending lovely messages for our hard work.

Our work has improved the energy efficiency of the school buildings by around 35%, and only the schools will know how much money these measures have saved them from their monthly bills.

Hampshire County Council project managers were excellent to work with as they were organised, professional and supportive throughout the entire project and we very much look forward to working with them again in the near future.