Glossary
Basement floor
A layer of expanded polystyrene is laid below the concrete floor to reduce heat loss.
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Carbon dioxide (C02)
A naturally occurring gas. Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil are burned. It is the main gas contributing to global climate change.
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Condensing gas boilers
Gas central heating boilers that are very energy efficient. The efficiency is usually
90 per cent or over.
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Energy rating
Many appliances are given an energy rating under European Union (EU) Law. The
rating gives the energy consumption of the appliance, they are rated from A to G
with A being the most efficient and G the least efficient.
An energy label showing the rating of fridges, freezers, fridge freezers,
washing machines, tumble dryers, washer dryers, dishwashers, electric ovens and
light bulbs must be shown at the point of sale.
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House in multiple occupation (HMO)
House which is occupied by persons who do not form a single household.
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Insulated drylining
This involves adding a layer of plaster board with insulation attached to it to the inside of an external wall.
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kilowatt–hour (KWh)
The unit used to measure electricity consumption in the UK. An electrical appliance with a power rating of one kilowatt, running for one hour will use one kilowatt–hour of electricity.
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Low carbon economy
A low carbon economy is one that does not use a lot of energy in the manufacturing industry. For example the refurbishment will use low carbon products like wooden windows rather than upvc.
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National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
A methodology for the measurement of home energy ratings in the UK. It provides a reliable means of calculation for the energy performance of dwellings. The NHER scale runs from one (the least efficient) to ten (extremely energy efficient).
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Part L of the Building Regulations
The regulations that deal with the use of fuel and power in buildings.
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Secondary glazing
A new, additional window fitted inside the original window to improve both the thermal and acoustic performance.
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U–value
The measurement used to express the rate of heat loss through the fabric of a building. A wall with a U–value of one W/m2K would lose one Watt of energy through a 1 m2 area of roof for every 1oC difference in temperature between the inside and outside. Increasing the insulation in a building will reduce it U–value.
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