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Energy loss in traditional housing
can easily be reduced
The Government recently announced plans to transform Britain into the world’s first ‘green’ economy. Ministers promised deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions that they warned would mean everyone in the country having to ‘live, work and travel differently’. Britain is the first in the world to introduce legally-binding targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. These must fall by between 26% and 32% by 2020, and 60% by 2050.
This highlights a totally new understanding of global warming which is reflected in the Government’s target that most new UK homes should be zerocarbon – with extra insulation, solar panels or wind turbines and energy efficient appliances – by 2016. Currently the definition of a zero-carbon home is zero net emissions of carbon dioxide from all energy use in the home. However, it is anticipated that this is likely to change as the Treasury is working out a final clarification.
A whole new series of industries to assist the builder in conserving the environment has now emerged. These provide a huge range of alternative and competing ways to meet the challenge of climate change. This has created a daunting task for builders in deciding what methods and products to select, for all the different home styles and sites available. Fortunately one or two specialist organisations have also evolved, that, in addition to supplying a range of products and services to meet the new needs, can also assist the builder and give guidance through the maze of options to meet the new requirements and targets of Government and European rulings. They offer a comprehensive service that bridges most of the new environmental needs. Thus the range of options can be more easily decided on a site-by-site basis.
An environmental service company is able to provide a comprehensive solutions package to raising energy efficiency in UK homes and reducing unnecessary carbon emissions. This encompasses a full range of insulation and micro-generation equipment, heating and advice in these areas.
The insulation installer plays a crucial role in identifying energy efficiency opportunities and so achieve, where relevant, with the heating engineer, the optimum balance between heating and insulation. For instance the cost offsets from an insulation package arise from the ability to use a smaller capacity heating system, with slightly reduced sizes or number of radiators. This is reflected in the capacity of the boiler, with reduced running costs, a smaller capital outlay, less longterm repair costs and longer life for the system.
Both solar gain and wind can provide electrical energy to power lighting and appliances. Siting of solar panels is key: south facing is preferable. Alternatively, panels can be divided between East and South facing roofs. Similarly wind turbines need wind: a sheltered position is ineffectual. Turbines are heavy and best installed by trained installers using a ‘cherrypicker’ motorised platform lifter.
These are just some of the growing number of environmental choices builders and developers now need to make. Creating a really energy efficient building also involves decisions on insulation. Acoustics is another area where extra attention is required if sites are exposed to high levels of unwanted noise, or housing levels are dense.
Builders who market well insulated homes, fitted where possible with their own individual energy producing equipment will have a superior product to offer the public. Many of these builders will rely on the new environmental service companies to provide the right environmental formula for each building type and each site.
The right combination of design, siting, construction, detailing, insulation methods, and clean energy production is now of prime consideration for selling and marketing in the new build field. Consultants and installers who can offer experience and expertise across this wide spectrum will be invaluable to the specifier, developer and builder who recognises the new environmental mood of the public.
