Government announcement on zero carbon homes
Last Thursday (16th July) the Government made an announcement on the definition for zero carbon homes, as part of their newly published Low Carbon Transition Plan. I was particularly pleased to see and fully support the proposals for high levels of energy efficiency, but at a standard which is appropriate for UK conditions. Also, the setting of a 70% carbon compliance level appears to provide a good balance and reflects the level voted for by the building industry at our recent definition workshops. (Click here for a copy of the associated report). Finally the Government reconfirmed its commitment to the allowable solutions approach to account for any carbon not mitigated on-site. The allowable solutions will cover carbon emitted from the home for 30 years after build. Further consultations on the practicability and verification of allowable solutions are planned with a view to making decisions later this year. The Government also announced the first schemes supported under the £21 million Low Carbon Community Heating Initiative fund, which was managed by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and launched in Budget 2009. The Zero Carbon Hub was represented on HCA's Sounding Board and schemes will be supported in Exeter, Nottingham, Milton Keynes, Southampton, Birmingham and Newcastle.
As many of you know the 'zero carbon definition' consultation was launched because the previous definition of zero carbon was seen by many as being unworkable. A fundamental part of our role then has been to work closely with the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and all those involved in the development of low and zero carbon new homes to move towards a new definition which is both sufficiently ambitious and technically achievable.
Clearly to give the industry the level of certainty they need to invest, we need to complete this work and get the right definition in place as soon as possible. Therefore we are delighted that CLG has asked us to set up and lead the task group that will define the specifications for minimum energy efficiency standards.
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Neil Jefferson, CEO, Zero Carbon Hub |
Zero Carbon Compendium Launched
Last week over 100 guests attended the launch of the Zero Carbon Compendium – the first international comparison of low and zero carbon housing initiatives and activity.
This project, jointly supported by the NHBC Foundation and the Zero Carbon Hub and developed by PRP Architects, looks at 15 countries across the globe, from Australia to Canada. Each country is presented as a case study with a consistent layout to allow easy comparison across a range of considerations, including housing stock and climate data, future aspirations, government policy and, critically, the types of incentives and support that have been tested.
In his introductory words at the launch Nick Raynsford MP, Chairman of the NHBC Foundation, paid tribute to the project team for their work in formulating and designing the Compendium and stressed its important role of drawing together valuable thinking and progress from other countries in the fight to control climate change.
In evaluating experience from the countries included, the Compendium identified seven thematic areas that are considered critical in shaping progress towards low and zero carbon housing. While UK and France are ahead in terms of aspiration, it is clear that successful delivery arises when there is an integration of a number of key strands, in particular new technologies coupled with clear strategies and policy and, significantly, public engagement to ensure diffusion and acceptance.
The Zero Carbon Compendium is viewable and downloadable by clicking here. If you would like a hard copy please contact info@zerocarbonhub.orgHigh Rollers at Insite 2009
Insite 2009, at BRE, offered visitors the unique opportunity to see the latest low and zero carbon homes in the BRE Innovation Park and to catch up with developments on sustainable building through the exhibition and conference programme. Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive of Zero Carbon Hub, officially opened the new demonstration project, the Renewable House, designed to provide affordable, sustainable living with a minimum 44% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to Part L 2006 Building Regulations.
We are confident that few people left the Zero Carbon Hub exhibition stand without a better understanding of not only the energy efficiency requirements likely to be required for 2016, but also other crucial issues revolving around energy supply, examples and scale-up, skills and training, as well as consumer engagement.
Our 'Low Zone Dice Game' also caused a stir with hundreds of people taking part to see whether they could throw the 'perfect' energy efficient house (i.e. one that meets 2016 zero carbon requirements!). Whilst many achieved good standards, only 'high roller' Steve Reid from geoLOGIC Foundations Ltd hit the top score. Sally Thompson of 'The Facility' was selected as runner up from the leader board. Congratulations to both. Prizes are in the post.
Larkfleet Eco Demonstration House
The Larkfleet Group, based in Lincolnshire, recently opened its Eco Demonstration House at its headquarters in Bourne. Margaret Allen from HCA officially opened the house and visitors were given guided tours of the house by Larkfleet Directors and Staff. Larkfleet plans to invite housing association operatives, architects, local authority personnel and other professionals to take a look at the way the house is built and see how the latest building and energy technologies can be combined to provide low-energy/low carbon housing. The home has been built in a way that allows examination of the construction methods and manages to generate a conventional-looking solution that can be built to Level 3 or 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, reducing CO2 emissions by 25% or 44% respectively. The Zero Carbon Hub welcomes projects of this kind, which increase awareness of affordable lower carbon solutions. To find out more please visit www.larkfleet.co.uk
Achieving Code Level 6 - Upton and Hanham Hall
The Homes and Communities Agency are currently involved in two exciting projects, with the Metropolitan Housing Partnership and Barratt Homes respectively that has seen the development of six Code Level 6 homes at Upton in Northamptonshire and will see the development of 197 Code Level 6 homes at Hanham Hall 'eco village' in Gloucestershire.
Click here for more information on the Upton project.
Click here for more information about the Hanham Hall project.
New Low and Zero Carbon Profiles
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| New LZ Carbon Profiles include practical examples for today (Southdale Homes Hill Top Point) left and projects that inform the future (Barratt Green House) on the right |
The Zero Carbon Hub has released another six Low and Zero Carbon Profiles. These include aspirational demonstration homes achieving Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and a range of homes already occupied and designed to achieve significant emissions reductions.
The new titles include the Southdale Homes Hill Top Point Project in Manchester, the BASF House at Nottingham University, Adelaide Wharf flats by First Base at Shoreditch, The Barratt Green House and the Creo House at the BRE Innovation Park and the Miller Zero Project at Basingstoke.
These are all viewable on the Zero Carbon Hub's website. Hard copies are available from info@zerocarbonhub.org
Part L/Part F Consultation and SAP – get ready for the 2010 changes
In partnership with BRE and EST, the Zero Carbon Hub is contributing to a series of half day events in August and September to look at the significant changes proposed for the 2010 revisions of Approved Documents L and F. These events, which will be supported by CLG policy staff, will have a practical focus, offering delegates an opportunity to use the new SAP tool to see how it helps to achieve compliance to the new proposals in the Approved Documents. In the Event programme, the Zero Carbon Hub has been invited to explore delegates' views on the new proposals and provide an opportunity to contribute to the consultation.
The events are being run across the country at the following venues:
| August 4 | Birmingham |
| August 5 | Nottingham |
| August 6 | Cambridge |
| August 18 | London |
| August 25 | Liverpool |
| August 26 | Manchester |
| August 27 | Leeds |
| August 28 | Newcastle |
| September 2 | Bristol |
| September 3 | Exeter |
BRE provides an electronic booking service and the events cost £79.99 inclusive of VAT. Attendees will gain more from this event if they are already conversant with Part L/F and have some experience in using SAP. However even less experienced practitioners may find this a helpful update on the changes coming into play in 2010, which are an important bridge between the 2006 requirements and the much more challenging requirements that are expected for 2013.
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