Kit Houses Kit Houses: All You Need To Know

Date Published:

03/06/2008

Another German company, Baufritz, in 2007 at Grand Designs Live constructed what it calls 'The Carbon Positive House' - one that not only emits less CO2 than it uses but actually has a positive carbon dioxide effect.

Of course, you have to bear in mind that you will have to buy the land on which to build. When all's said and done there's not much of a cost saving, but you should end up with the home of your dreams - and one that has the added benefit of being eco-friendly.

Baufritz achieves the status by building with timber (which stores CO2), being efficient in its building process and using energy efficient heating systems, solar panels and state-of-the-art insulation. Its carbon positivity is measured using an independent system that takes into account carbon emissions from the very start of the process including the manufacture, construction, and transportation of the house, as well as the energy required to run the house once it is built.

In the UK, self-build specialist Potton Kingspan, in conjunction with architect Sheppard Robson, has created a flagship prototype, the lighthouse (right), which reaches level six (the highest achievable) of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Potton estimates the energy cost of running the house would be £31 per annum compared to £500 for a house of a similar size and shape built to 2006 building regulations.

The building envelope utilises the Kingspan TEK wall system, which provides high thermal efficiency and air tightness. Okay, now for the techy bit: the Μ-values are 0.11W/m2k compared to existing building regulations that only require a Μ-value of 0.35W/m2k. Allied to triple glazed, gas filled windows, and south facing orientation (ideally) for maximum natural sunlight, cooling rather than heating the house is the main issue.

Operational eco-initiatives include low water shower, dual flush toilets, grey water recycling for WC flushing - with an average saving of 50 per cent compared to a conventional house - and rainwater harvesting for use for a washing machine and irrigation. Smart metering records energy consumption, allowing the occupants to monitor and adjust their behaviour accordingly.

A spokesman for eco-homes portal What Green Home says, 'You might think that living amongst all this technology and worthiness would be restrictive, but the opposite's true. The lighthouse is open and airy with a double height sitting room with mezzanine floor reached via a second staircase located in the middle of the house. The ambience is chapel like, contemplative and serene.'