The Scheme Development Standards (SDS) were revised in April 2003 and concentrate on design and quality issues relating to individual schemes and procedural compliance issues.  SDS sets out the Corporation?s requirements and recommendations for all housing projects, including the refurbishment and repair of properties that receive Social Housing Grant.  For a copy of SDS 2003 click here

SDS requires evidence to show that the energy-efficiency standards for rehabilitation and refurbished housing comprise a package of cost-effective energy-efficiency improvement measures, compatible with the opportunities matrix of the Government?s Housing and Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme.  Download your copy of Good Practice Guide 155 here.

SDS recommends that energy-efficiency standards for rehabilitation and refurbished housing go beyond just including the energy matrix from GPG 155 to include best-practice levels.  In addition, residents should be consulted and receive energy advice.  For more information on this see the lifestyles section.

The standard for existing housing uses established recommendations from the EEBPH publication GPG 155, ?Energy efficient refurbishment of existing housing?.

•  Walls: ­ 
  Cavity: cavity-wall insulation
  ­ Solid: insulated dry-lining to achieve a U-value of 0.45 W/m2K
   External wall insulation to achieve a U-value of 0.35 W/m2K
• Pitched roofs: 250 mm insulation to achieve a U-value of 0.16 W/m2K 
• Ground floor:  insulation to achieve a U-value of 0.20-0.25 W/m2k
• Windows:  double- or triple-glazed windows to achieve a U-value of 2.0 W/m2K
• All doors and windows should be draught-stripped
• Gas central heating (where available):  CheSS HR4 or HC4
• Primary hot-water pipework to be fully insulated
• Controlled ventilation to prevent condensation
• Where electrical appliances are being supplied, they should be ?A? rated
• Lighting:  Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) should be fitted in high-usage areas such as living rooms, study bedrooms, halls, landings and for communal and security lighting.  New fittings designed specifically for CFLs should be used when old fittings are replaced.

Prescribing a single package of measures that would apply to all existing homes would be impossible; but it is important to understand that the energy efficiency of an existing home can be improved without waiting for a full refurbishment package.

It will always be more cost effective to implement a combination of the measures listed above, in preference to installing them separately.

The most suitable and cost-effective insulation options depend largely on the opportunities arising from the proposed general improvements and the form of construction.  Ideally, you should upgrade insulation and draught-stripping before replacing boilers and heating systems.  The reduced heating demand will enable the heating plant to be selected accordingly, so cutting capital costs and improving energy efficiency.