Research was conducted on the steady-state heat loss of dwellings, as quantified by U-value assessment, to provide an appraisal with a range of factors that may impact energy performance and environmental behaviour. The study consisted of 50 houses built between 1915 and 2015 and 50 from pre-1915 identified as traditional construction. All were Scottish homes, and some were in poor condition. This paper finds that there is a close correlation between U-values of components and the age of a property and its energy efficiency. It also finds that the U-values of elements of houses built after 1985 increased more rapidly. It is considered that for older homes, there was less improvement/change on U-values. It is concluded that using renewable energy systems and sustainable technologies are necessary for old houses to meet Level 6 of the code for sustainable homes in the UK. A trend of U-value reduction with wall thickness was observed, but no simple correlation could be determined and each circumstance identified which materials could be applied to best effect.
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