Amersham Road

THERMIE Energy Efficiency Project

THERMIE is a European Grant to assist the development of new ideas for energy efficient housing which can be adapted and used in other parts of Europe. The houses are designed to make large savings in energy costs as well as meeting other local housing needs. This is achieved by:

• ensuring lasting and reliable energy sources are developed
• building and maintaining affordable housing
• reducing the environmental impact of the materials and reducing energy consumption
• improving the technology and design within the industry.

Catalyst Communities HA is involved in one of two new housing projects in the UK subsidised by THERMIE funding. Amersham Road in Reading is a large new estate which was built in partnership with Reading Borough Council, Ujima and Northcote (now Keystart) Housing Associations. It provides 190 new homes for rent and shared ownership. The estate also has a new community centre, a shop, play areas and garden allotments.

Fifty of the new homes were built with enhanced energy efficiency specifications funded by THERMIE:

• High levels of insulation to roofs, walls and floors including 250mm 'Warmcell' recyled cellulose roof insulation and 100mm polystyrene fully filled wall cavities.
• 'Passivent' stack ventilation which uses natural air pressure instead of electrical fans.
• Efficient heating and lighting systems, including 24 houses with solar panels to pre-heat water.
• 24 homes fitted with solar pre-heated domestic water systems with high efficiency Veissman gas condensing boilers and AGPO ZEN storage tanks.

• 26 homes fitted with high efficiency Valliant gas combination boilers.
• Use of recycled materials for building.
• Recycling facilities within each house.
• Water conservation measures such as reduced flush toilets and rain water butts.
• Limited damage to the site during construction.
• Increasing the ecological value of site by landscaping and tree planting.

What happens next?

Catalyst Communities is using this demonstration project to monitor the energy savings and benefits for all our future housing. We are also using our expertise to help other housing providers. THERMIE projects are being promoted through the media and government bodies across Europe so that we can all help to provide housing which really is built for the future.

The European Union has made a commitment to invest in developing new and innovative ways of providing energy efficient housing. As main providers of housing for the future, local authorities and housing associations have an important role to play in this process.

Nine THERMIE projects are currently underway in Scandinavia, Holland, France, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. The information gained from these projects is being shared through an Integrated European Exchange. This is a European-wide group of technical experts who are looking at particular themes which are important to housing and making sure that all the countries benefit from each other's ideas and experiences in developing new housing.

Other housing schemes being developed by Catalyst Communities are benefiting from the experience of THERMIE, and details of these schemes can be found on the main sustainable housing page.

Related links:

The Housing Corporation

Reading Borough Council

European Union energy and transport directorate

ECD Energy Consultancy