Oct 20
2008Code for Sustainable Homes Raises the Standards
Filed Under (Business) by Tal Potishman on 20-10-2008
Tagged Under : Business
As part of its strategy to dramatically reduce CO2 emissions, the UK government has introduced the Code for Sustainable Homes. The code covers many important issues, but one of them has particular relevance to the plumbing and heating industry in the UK. It will impact both new building developments and existing building retrofits.
Part L1A of the building regulations is currently in force. In effect it already defines a set of targets for each property’s carbon dioxide emission. The property developers have to prove in advance that once it is fully built, the property will emit less than or equal to the carbon emission target.
Part L1A was set out in 2005, calling for a reduction of 20% in carbon emissions in new buildings. However the Code defines six levels of reduction in carbon emissions with level one demanding 10% up to level six which demands ‘Zero Carbon’ dwellings. The government has set a target that by 2016 all new homes will have to comply with level five, which states 100% reduction in emissions.
The levels reached per dwelling are based on a points system, which evaluates each property according to the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of its components. A score of 57 is required for meeting level three, while not less than 90 points are required to meet level six.
It is fair to say that water heating systems currently available in the UK can meet the standard for medium levels within the Code. Still there is work to be done to make the heating systems efficient enough to meet the requirements for the top most levels, such as levels five and six.
One way of meeting the demand is by using renewable energy sources. For example, a level four in the Code requires a high ratio of such sustainable energy systems. Solar thermal systems are highly effective and emit virtually no carbon. Winter heating (when the days are short), will be supplemented by a gas boiler or a hot water tank with an immersion heater.
Experts argue that the Code should be applied not only to new buildings but also to retrofit projects. Installing an energy efficient boiler or a hot water tank would benefit not only the environment, but also the home owners through reduced heating bills. A high efficiency boiler (such as an A rated condensing boiler) converts more than 90% of the input energy into usable energy, improving on previous boilers by around 30%. Similarly, a well insulated hot water cylinder will reduce heat loss during the night to near zero levels, compared with poorly insulated old cylinders.
To ensure a successful launch, it is important to verify that the UK heating industry is well prepared for the implication of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Furthermore it is expected that the Code will have a direct impact on the building regulations to be introduced in 2010 further affecting the industry.
The know how and technological skills in the UK are of a high level, which should help the introduction and implementation of such high efficiency technologies. The latest renewable technologies promise great efficiency at a reasonable price thus making more appealing to the wider population.
