The NHBC Foundation is today launching its latest publication, Zero carbon homes – an introductory guide for housebuilders, in a move to help the house-building industry respond to the Government’s consultation on the definition of zero carbon.
The NHBC Foundation guide urges builders to respond to the consultation and contribute to the debate with regards to the ambitious 2016 building regulations, which will demand that all new houses are zero carbon.
The guide also aims to clarify builders’ obligations ahead of 2016, and is one of a series of targeted measures the organisation is undertaking to ensure that house builders are fully aware of the significance and implications of the zero carbon proposal.
Nick Raynsford MP, chairman of the NHBC Foundation, said: “NHBC views the role of Foundation as providing invaluable, pragmatic tools for the industry to make sense of issues, such as the zero carbon debate. We are striving to provide much needed guidance and advice so that the industry feels better placed to comment on such an important point of discussion.
“The Government consultation on zero carbon homes marks a critical stage in the transition towards the country’s 2016 targets and its importance cannot be underestimated. The final definition of zero carbon will shape the future of house building, and this consultation provides house builders with the chance to have a real input to that future.”
The NHBC Foundation’s publication plays an important role in explaining the importance of energy efficiency and the concept of zero carbon to builders; it also promotes current energy use considerations, and the need to reduce energy and aim for zero carbon. For house builders, it outlines the three mechanisms currently in place for requiring or encouraging zero carbon standards for new homes; Building Regulations, the Code for Sustainable Homes, and stamp duty land tax relief.
Extensive focus is given to the zero carbon consultation, which the Government launched in December - Definition of zero carbon homes and non-domestic buildings - and for which responses are due by 18th March 2009.
The zero carbon homes guide has been prepared by the NHBC Foundation in association with the Zero Carbon Hub, the public and private partnership responsible for making a zero carbon homes a reality from 2016.
To further aid the consultation process, the Zero Carbon Hub is this month hosting a series of workshops across England to explain the definition and outline the likely changes it will have on the house-building industry, as well as providing a means for feedback.
The NHBC Foundation is also publishing guides on Community Heat and Power and a review of the Merton Rule to provide practical guidance and information on topical sustainability issues.
The Merton Rule – a review of the practical, environmental and economic effects, focuses on the policy first implemented by Merton Borough Council, requiring new-build developments to provide 10% of their energy use from renewable sources. Since its introduction in 2003, the Merton Rule has been a focus of controversy and this review considers the evidence to understand what prompts the differing standpoints.
Community heating is not new to the UK, having been used widely in the post-war period, but modern systems have proved more reliable with significant benefits for the environment and consumers. The Foundation’s guide, Community heating and combined heat and power, provides an introduction to community heating and combined heat and power systems and highlights where they may most effectively be used.
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The NHBC Foundation was established by NHBC in partnership with the BRE Trust to facilitate research and development, technology and knowledge sharing, and the capture of industry best practice in the pursuit of improved building standards for the new-build housing sector.
NHBC is the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK. It was established more than 70 years ago as a non-profit distributing company. NHBC's primary purpose is to help raise standards in the new house-building industry and provide consumer protection for new house buyers. NHBC's ten-year 'Buildmark' warranty covers more than 80% of homes built in the UK and has protected more than 7 million homes to date.
The BRE Trust is a charity for research and education in the built environment. Its chief goal is to ensure earnings from the companies it owns deliver against its charitable education and research mission. BRE is one of the companies owned by The BRE Trust and it is commissioned to undertake projects by both public and private organisations.