Retrofits and Social Housing

In the quest for a sustainable and environmentally friendly future, Advanced Construction Technologies Limited (ACTL) has emerged, presenting an innovative solution that promises to revolutionize the social housing sector. ACTL’s ground-breaking product, Power-Roof®, represents a sustainable and stylish roofing solution that caters to the pressing need for retrofitting houses in dire need of roof replacement.

Power-Roof is a fully integrated, factory-constructed roof cassette that provides a complete standing seam weatherproof layer onto which photovoltaic (PV) panels are seamlessly attached, covering up to 85% of the roof’s surface area. Remarkably, this can span over 8 meters from gable to ridge without requiring additional support. Moreover, beneath its weatherproof layer and PV panels, there is an eco-conscious design that allows it to harness heat efficiently. This harvested heat can be redirected to serve various purposes, such as powering a heat pump, heating water, or fueling a Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, ensuring both energy efficiency and cost savings. With a design life expectancy of 60 years, Power-Roof is engineered for longevity and sustainability.

One of Power-Roof’s standout features is its suitability for retrofitting onto existing houses, particularly those in the social housing sector. Often characterized by poor insulation and high energy costs for tenants, these houses are prime candidates for transformation. The process of retrofitting Power-Roof onto these structures involves the removal of tiles, battens, and old roofing felt, followed by the installation of a new waterproof breathable membrane and the Power-Roof cassette itself. This process is efficient and can be completed quickly, minimizing disruption for tenants.

The advantages of Power-Roof for social housing providers and local authorities are multifaceted:

  • Precision and Efficiency: Power-Roof is manufactured in climate-controlled conditions, ensuring high quality and exact dimensions that fit roofs seamlessly. It can be tailored to most simple roofs, making it adaptable for a wide range of housing structures.
  • Rapid Deployment: The roof cassette can be delivered to the site and rapidly craned onto the roof, becoming an operational energy-generating roof within hours. This is particularly beneficial for retrofitting, where the existing roof structure supports the installation.
  • Cost Savings: By harnessing heat from beneath the PV panels, Power-Roof can provide up to 100% of a house’s heat requirements, resulting in substantial energy cost savings for tenants. This leads to greater affordability, improved tenant satisfaction, and more reliable rent payments.
  • Solar Energy Generation: Power-Roof is optionally covered with thin film photovoltaic modules, contributing to electricity generation. This surplus electricity can be sold to the grid or stored for use in electric vehicles (EVs).
  • Reduced Heat Loss: Power-Roof virtually eliminates heat loss through the roof, saving up to 40% of a house’s heating costs and contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions.
  • Economic Viability: Power-Roof pays for itself in just 6 to 10 years, providing a predictable income stream for social housing providers. This income can cover the initial investment and interest over time, making it an attractive financial proposition.
  • Enhanced Sustainability: Power-Roof supports an eco-conscious agenda, allowing housing providers to meet sustainability requirements effortlessly while keeping tenants comfortable and content.

 

Click on the image below to see video explanation

Incorporating Power-Roof into social housing portfolios could yield transformative results for both providers and tenants. This innovative solution not only addresses energy inefficiencies and high living costs but also contributes to the overall sustainability of housing estates. By harnessing solar energy, reducing heat loss, and providing affordable, eco-friendly heating options, Power-Roof sets a new standard for social housing providers and represents a ground-breaking approach to achieving net-zero energy consumption for social housing. It is ideal for public sector and private sector organisations seeking to create a more sustainable and affordable future for their tenants. Power-Roof is more than just a roofing solution; it is a game-changer in the drive towards a greener, more efficient, and socially responsible housing sector.

On site work is incredibly fast- the house above was fitted with 14 panels, and was watertight in less than a day- the lorries arrived on site at 7am and the roof was weathertight in 6 hours.