Two Scottish companies believe they could revolutionise the housebuilding industry after devising a new, greener way to build and insulate homes.

Lomond Timber Frame has struck an alliance with Energyflo Construction Technologies to develop the 'Dynamic Breathing Building' concept – compared to conventional building practices, it could significantly save energy, cut carbon emissions, improve air quality, and result in long-term cost savings for homeowners.

Energyflo created the cutting-edge insulation system known as the 'Energyflo Cell', and joined forces with timber frame experts at Lomond to devise a way of incorporating it into 'open panel' timber frame - most new homes in Scotland and a significant and growing number in the rest of the UK are built using this type of frame.


Both companies believe this innovative system will make a real difference to the housebuilding industry and the future living conditions of residents.

Stuart Rennie, managing director of Lomond Timber Frame, said: "Through the exciting work we are carrying out with Energyflo Technologies incorporating their system into timber frame buildings, we are well on the way towards not only minimising energy costs for the home owner, but also to making a meaningful reduction in carbon emissions.

"Our company constantly strives to be more sustainable, and the opportunity to help develop this exciting new technology for housebuilding fits perfectly with these ambitions. We look forward to discovering its full potential."

The Dynamic Breathing Building system is air-permeable providing fantastic benefits.

In winter it can warm ventilation air using heat from the home which would otherwise be lost, and in summer months the versatile system allows cool air to circulate. At the same time, the air is also filtered providing further benefits to house occupiers in the form of improved indoor air quality.

Dr Andrew Peacock, Energyflo's product development director, said: "Developing the technology for use in open panel timber frames is a great step forward. We believe this system could mean significant reductions in energy consumption compared with conventional thermal insulation.

"We look forward to further developing the product in partnership with Lomond and rolling the system out across the housebuilding industry."

(GK/BMcC)