18 homes in a 1960s tenement in Fife rehabilitated to provide very well insulated houses with solar sunspaces. This innovative refurbishment uses geothermal energy from a disused coalmine for heating and hot water.
Thermal energy from flooded mineworkings 170 metres underground is fed through radiators and hot water cylinders to provide heating and hot water. High‐levels of insulation means that this low‐temperature heating will keep the flats comfortably warm, even in winter.
External balconies have been converted into sunspaces providing passive solar gain and add valuable space that can be used all year round. This glazing system enables the glass panes to fold away, creating an open balcony in the summer.
Passive solar design with sunspaces
Heated by geothermal