Energy efficient design and C02
Homes in the UK are responsible for about 27% of the UK’s carbon emissions . Nearly 50% of the UK's energy consumption arises from the heating, lighting and the use of buildings. By improving the energy performance of our buildings and homes, carbon emissions can be reduced dramatically.
In July 2007 the government published the ‘Building a Greener Future: policy statement’ confirming its intention to build all new homes to zero carbon by 2016, with a progressive improvement of the energy/carbon performance of 25% by 2010 and a 44% improvement by 2013.
To achieve these challenging targets house builders will have to limit the energy consumption and carbon emission arising from the construction and operation of dwellings.
Communities and Local Government: London (March 2007) Code for Sustainable Homes Technical Guide. This is one of the most fundamental guides to assist house builders to build low carbon homes. The document provides clear technical guidance to limit the emission rate of new dwellings and sets the pathway to achieving zero carbon homes in all new dwellings by 2016.
Within the Code minimum standards are set and credits are awarded to assist house builders ‘to limit emissions of carbon dioxide (CO²) to the atmosphere arising from the operation of a dwelling and its services’ . The Energy and Carbon Dioxide Emissions category within the Code is on pages 26 to 67, and includes: Dwelling Emission Rate (DER), Building Fabric, Internal Lighting, Drying Space, Energy Labelled White Goods, External Lighting, Low/Zero Carbon, Cycle Storage and Home Office.
Cyril Sweett is a leading international construction and property consultancy offering expertise in cost consultancy, project management, management consultancy and a comprehensive range of specialist services. English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation by Cyril Sweett (February 2007) A Cost Review of the Code for Sustainable Homes Costing Sustainability (March 2005) Cyril Sweett and BRE |  |
Sustainable Homes
Sustainable Homes promotes the awareness of sustainable development issues and good practice amongst Housing Associations.
Routes to Sustainability
RTS, sponsored by the Housing Corporation, helps companies to identify options to achieve more sustainable housing, including policies, technologies and products.
Dwelling Emission Rate (DER) is the predicted rate of CO2emissions from the dwelling . DER is measured in kg per m2 per annum arising from the energy use for heating, hot water and the lighting of a dwelling’.’ Target Emission Rate (TER) is the minimum energy performance requirement for a new dwelling permitted by Building Regulations. Within the Code (p26), ‘credits are awarded based on the percentage improvement of DER below TER’ and guidance is given on the assessment criteria and information required to demonstrate compliance. Both DER and TER are defined in the Approved L1A 2006 Edition of the Building Regulations and can be found following the link below:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADL1A_2006.pdf
EST (Sept 2006) Demonstrating Compliance, Good practice
This guide provides you with a road map to good practice. It tells you how to achieve compliance and provides you with links to useful guides for each step of the way. It includes information about: ‘achieving TER, limits on design flexibility, limiting the effects of solar gains in summer, quality of construction and the provision of information and future proofing.
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/uploads/documents/housingbuildings/Demonstrating%20Compliance%20-%20Good%20practice_WEB1.pdf
SAP - Standard Assessment Procedure
‘SAP is the Government's Standard Assessment Procedure for Energy Rating of Dwellings. SAP 2005 is adopted by government as part of the UK national methodology for calculation of the energy performance of buildings. It is used to demonstrate compliance with building regulations for dwellings - Part L (England and Wales), and to provide energy ratings for dwellings.’
