What is a U value?
Now often quoted in building or building part specification, a U-value is placed upon an assembly of components to rate how well that assemblage performs in terms of energy efficiency.
It is important to note that the U-value relates to the performance of the assemblage as a whole. For example, the U-value of a window unit will be calculated with reference to the glass panes, frame, sealants etc. and their performance as a whole.
The U-value gives a numeric rating of the amount of heat that passes through the building part, therefore the lower the value the better the energy efficiency.
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The Healthy House on May 16th, 2007
It is only over the last few months that I’ve become aware of the concept of the healthy house.
VAT for barn convertors on March 16th, 2007
There is an update to this post at .
Microgeneration installations now 'permitted developments' on May 6th, 2008
A piece of good news that is of great interest personally and I'm sure of interest to many people planning conversions and other projects, is that the installation of solar thermal & PV panels, combined-heat & power systems, biomass systems and water & ground source heat pumps will no longer require planning permission, so long as there is no negative impact on neighbours or the area.
BREEAM ~ Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method on May 11th, 2008
The term BREEAM is one that I've come across in various contexts over the course of this project and thought I'd better find out what it means.
VAT for barn convertors - Update December 2007 on December 8th, 2007
I thought it was about time to review the VAT situation regarding the barn to ensure that my understanding is correct, so an overview of the current legislation follows with appropriate extracts.
Posted in Essential information for barn converters |
