ENERGY MANAGEMENT AUDIT
DURHAM CATHEDRAL
BACKGROUND
Durham Cathedral Estates commissioned d3associates to carry out an Energy Audit and develop an Energy Management Plan for Durham Cathedral’s College & Chapter buildings.
The work entailed reviewing the energy performance of the Cathedral buildings and assessing potential options to increase the energy efficiency and reduce the overall running costs.
OUTCOME
A phased approach was adopted, commencing with a Desk Study and Energy Audit, followed by an Options Assessment and the development of an Energy Management Plan.
An initial energy survey was undertaken to establish baseline energy consumption. Analysis of the benchmark data revealed some potential problems and further investigation was undertaken. A strategy for improvements was developed based on tackling the properties with the highest benchmarks first, as these normally produce the greatest gains.
Several measures were identified, which can be applied to buildings of this age and construction such as:
Replace windows or fit secondary glazing
Insulate roof voids
Install wall insulation
Insulate flooring
Reduce air infiltration
Of the potential options the most suitable was to reduce the air infiltration and manage the use of the buildings through installing meters and energy saving devices. Replacing the windows was not appropriate due to the expense and listed status of the buildings but secondary glazing was considered. Roof insulation has been applied in most cases, and adding further insulation layers may not bring sufficient savings to justify the cost.
External insulation is not appropriate due to the listing and installing internal insulation would be excessively disruptive and expensive in most cases, but it could be considered for some areas in the unoccupied buildings. Improving the floors in older wood- floored buildings was suggested including insulating them, particularly where unheated basements exist.
Recommendations were discussed with the client and included within the Energy Management Plan.
