Grand Designs Extras Sense And Sustainability

Date Published:

06/11/2008

plan ahead to significantly reduce your self-build’s carbon footprint. add these options to your checklist — the world will thank you, and so will your wallet

These days, going green in the home is more a necessity than a choice. The government’s Code for Sustainable Homes has set a target for all new dwellings to be carbon neutral by 2016, and with energy costs soaring, the impetus for fuel efficiency is more urgent than ever.

Early choices will have the most significant bearing on your home’s carbon footprint, so choosing environmentally friendly building materials – like a timber frame – and designing passively are the best way to start. Use glazing on south-facing walls to maximise sunlight, shutters and shading for hotter periods, openings for cross ventilation and materials with a high thermal mass, like dense concrete or mud bricks, which store heat and release it later.

Also think about your choice of builder. Everything from your frame to your paint can be eco-friendly, so it’s vital to get contractors that are familiar with the various materials and technologies you’re using. The Association for Environment Conscious Builders (aecb.net) will point you in the right direction.

Then consider your renewable energy options. Solar hot-water systems can provide about a third of your hot-water needs and are affordable. Photovoltaic panels are more expensive (up to £24,000), but could generate 50-60 per cent of electricity if used efficiently. A wind turbine (left) is relatively inexpensive, but not much use if wind speeds are insufficient. The British Wind Energy Association (bwea.com) has more information and a link to a national wind-speed calculator. Heat pumps can be expensive (at least £10,000), but a ground source pump could save you £300-£1,000 a year on heating bills, and an air source heat pump could save you £200-£750 a year. Biomass boilers are upwards of £6,000, and you’ll need somewhere to store the fuel, plus space for deliveries, but they can halve a traditional boiler’s carbon emissions. Biomass boilers are also a good candidate for retrofitting, if your budget doesn’t allow for one first time around.

If you’re confused – and it’s easy to be – use a green consultant. You could end up spending a significant sum on making your home energy efficient. The Centre for Alternative Technology (cat.org.uk) is a good place to start. Remember, too, that there are grants available through the Low Carbon Building Programme (lowcarbonbuildings. org.uk) of up to £2,500 per property for installing microgeneration technology.

And finally, consider planning requirements. You no longer need permission for solar panels, ground and water source heat pumps and biomass systems, and relaxation of planning requirements for micro wind turbines and air source heat pumps is expected to follow soon.

However, listed buildings and those in conservation areas are covered by separate rules, and people building in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland still need to consult local planning authorities for all of the above.

This article was written by Luke Tebbutt for the December issue of Grand Designs magazine. If you would like to subscribe for as little as £9 then head here to find out more.

For more Grand Designs magazine features click here.

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