‘Living wall’ reduces heat loss by over 30 per cent
Research from Plymouth University has found that retrofitting an existing masonry cavity walled building with a ‘living’ wall can reduce building heat loss by more than 30 per cent.
The study was centred around the university’s Sustainability Hub, and compared how effectively two sections of its walls retained heat.
Despite being on the same west-facing elevation, one of those sections had been retrofitted with an exterior living wall facade, comprised of a flexible felt fabric sheet system with pockets allowing for soil and planting.
After five weeks of measurements, researchers found the amount of heat lost through the ‘living’ wall was 31.4 per cent lower than that of the original structure.
They also discovered daytime temperatures within the newly-covered section remained more stable than the area with exposed masonry.
Published in Building and Environment, the study is one of the first to ascertain the thermal influence of living wall systems on existing buildings in temperate scenarios. It was conducted by academics at the university’s Sustainable Earth Institute.
Whilst the concept is relatively new, researchers said it shows a host of benefits such as added biodiversity.
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