Task Force Defines Zero Carbon Homes
Tags: Appliances, Heating, Home, Plants
A report from the UK Green Building Council says today that zero-carbon homes of the future will have to self generate the majority of energy they use but a small amount of onsite or offsite renewable generation will be allowed.
The report was an attempt by the GBC to state clear rules and expectations for green building and the definition of zero-carbon.
The GBC zero carbon task force is led by Mark Clare of Barratt developments. The company will release what they call the first zero carbon house from a volume builder this week.
Recently, environmentalists and construction firms have been debating about what zero carbon should entail when building a house. The environmentalists want each new house to be completely zero carbon while some construction companies believe it would be too expensive and unrealistic. They want the ability to secure offshore wind farms in order to do their part to use renewable energy in their developments.
The GBC report did not agree to this, however it does allow some district heating schemes or house builders could pay into a community energy pot to fund local projects.
Paul King, the chief executive of the GBC said, "The government's level of ambition is spot on and should be supported 100%. This is not about dumbing down or abandoning the concept of zero carbon. This is about ensuring the same high level of carbon savings, but allowing developers more flexibility."
Near sight schemes could be used but only with proof that it was a genuine addition to the country's goal to push renewable energy. Developers could pay into a communal fund that would ensure equal or greater net savings through new installations.
The report also says "The price of paying into the fund should be set at a margin above the cost of community-scale solutions so as to clearly incentivise the installation of on-site or local measures first."
Clare said: "The value of this report is reflected in the high degree of consensus reached by many different stakeholders." The report is likely to be approved as it has been agreed to from a variety of different interests. (Quoted in The Guardian)
Zero carbon homes would be equipped with extensive installation so heating would rarely need to be used. All appliances in the homes would use minimal energy provided by the installation of heat and power plants or photovoltaic panels.
