Today’s post is by Ellie Cole who graduated with a degree in sustainable development and cares deeply about the impact humans have on our planet. She works with otovo.uk a solar energy company and aims to raise awareness of how we can live together in harmony, rather than in conflict. As ever with our blogs, the views expressed are not necessarily those of the Association.
Introduction
In recent years, tight deadlines and high demand has caused many builders to focus on getting homes up quickly and cheaply over anything else. The ease of modern transport means that it’s easy to forget that shipping materials from halfway across the world might cut costs, but it has a high cost when it comes to carbon emissions. Additionally, building quickly and to a standard plan can mean that opportunities for energy saving technologies based on the geographical location of the property can be missed or ignored.
But growing concern around the effects of the construction industry on climate change are leading people to start designing UK buildings with the planet in mind, not just speed. There are a range of materials on the market that are kinder to the environment, and ways to ensure that homes need minimal energy to run. So what should we be considering? I take a look at how to make UK buildings more sustainable.
Renewable energy
Modern technology has made it easier than ever to harness renewable forms of energy, such as wind and solar. Whilst costly, with starting prices around £4000 plus installation, solar panels can allow property owners to make the most of their land and reduce their energy bills, as well as their carbon footprint.
As well supplying electricity for the property in question, owners can make the most of the Smart Export Tariff in the UK and get paid for any electricity they don’t use themselves. Not only is this a financial benefit, but it also increases the number of renewable energy units available to the national grid, helping to make the rest of the country greener too.
Low-carbon temperature control
With gas boilers being gradually phased out in the UK over the next ten years, attention is turning to alternative heating sources. Whilst modern electric boilers are highly energy efficient, there’s an even more efficient option – heat pumps. Most buildings in the UK won’t have the space to support ground-source heat pumps, but if they’re detached or semi detached, it may be possible to install an air-source heat pump.
Heat pumps are three or four times more efficient than gas boilers, and are a low carbon option. Especially if the property already has direct access to renewable energy or is on a renewable energy tariff, they are a highly sustainable option.
Builders should also consider the insulation of any building, to keep the temperature as stable as possible. Whilst most schools or commercial buildings won’t be built to meet the high standards of the Passivhaus scheme, taking inspiration from the insulation requirements of this framework can be beneficial in many properties.
Make the most of natural light
Natural light can lend a calming effect to many properties, connecting inhabitants or users with the outdoors and reducing eye strain. From a sustainability perspective, having good natural light also reduces the need to have the lights on, cutting energy consumption.
Unfortunately, this gets overlooked in a lot of buildings, as it’s much quicker, cheaper and easier to just build a solid wall. Glass needs to be handled carefully, and the frames fitted correctly to ensure that heat doesn’t escape. Nonetheless, it’s well-worth the extra effort, transforming the feel of a room and reducing light bills.
Carefully choose materials
The easiest way to source materials is often to order straight off the shelf. The products will meet a certain standard, come with a guarantee and will all be uniform. However, using reclaimed materials can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of a build. When you consider that the construction industry is responsible for 37% of energy and process-related CO2 emissions, it’s vital that we minimise this wherever possible.
Alternatively, for materials like paint that need to be bought new, it can be helpful to use certifications such as B-Corp to identify products that are actively trying to reduce their carbon emissions, or are offsetting the parts they can’t remove. By being conscious about the finishing materials that are used, we can ensure that the efforts made to reduce the carbon footprint of the actual build aren’t wasted.
A sustainable standard
The more that sustainable technologies and finishes are used in UK buildings, the more normal they’ll become. This should increase the range of options and suppliers on offer, giving builders and property owners greater choice.
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Ellie can be contacted through her marketing assistant: trevor.ashfordmedia@gmail.com