People are being significantly impacted by fuel poverty. In response, a well-supported proposal has been put forward to eliminate the worst of its impact at a low cost. The proposed solution is a set of technologies that convert cold, draughty, damp rooms in legacy housing into warm, healthy, dry, well-lit, mould-free, cheap-to-heat rooms that are a pleasure to occupy. The product, named the Sanctuary Room, will be developed in the form of a flat-pack designed to enable rapid installation.
The approach of developing the product to convert a single room in existing legacy housing has not been previously attempted, and no similar product exists, thus much research, development, and innovation need to be considered during the development of the final product. For convenience, the problem is split into the following categories: technical feasibility, technical design, low manufacturing impact, end of product life planning, the social component (design/decor and user functionality), manufacturing, installation design, sales, and distribution.
The social need for this product is huge, as is the market opportunity: In 2019, it was estimated by BEIS that 3.16 million households were in fuel poverty. Current political and economic events make these estimates appear small by comparison. Recent climate events also demonstrate that fuel poverty is not confined to cold weather, nor is it confined to the UK.
Misery, ill health, and premature death are caused by fuel poverty. It is predicted that up to 10 million households in the UK will be affected by this scourge this coming winter.
In response to this unfolding tragedy, a product is being developed by VeraVerde to eliminate the worst elements of fuel poverty. This involves implementing technologies that convert a cold, damp, expensive-to-heat room into a dry, cheap-to-heat room that is a pleasure to occupy: a Sanctuary!
The product, named the Sanctuary Room, is a place where a family can study, work, eat, and hang out together in comfort. In addition to converting a cold room into a warm room, fresh filtered air is provided by the Sanctuary Room, along with good lighting and acoustics. Finally, it is all nicely decorated in the colours of the tenants' choice.
The transformative effects of the Sanctuary Room are hard to exaggerate. Once installed, a family can stop thinking of survival and start thinking of living. They will have a room in their home where they will be comfortable, which will improve their well-being and their physical and mental health. Society at large will benefit from reduced healthcare costs, reduced energy use, and higher productivity.
A specific Mechanical Ventilator with Heat Recovery Unit (MVHR) has been identified, trialled, and accepted, and preferred terms with the manufacturer are through negotiation.
Modelling of construction methods for rooms with typical levels of irregularity has begun. A preliminary search implies that one installation component may be patentable.
