Introduction
Announced at NHBC Foundation’s 5th anniversary event in January 2011, this primary research study was commissioned to investigate attitudes to zero carbon housing and technologies in the 4 years since publication in 2008 of NF9 Zero carbon: what does it mean to homeowners and house builders?.
NF9 was published at an important time for sustainable housing, and intervening years have seen the economic and political landscapes of the UK undergo significant changes.
The recession, which began in the third-quarter of 2008, ran for 6 successive quarters until the end of 2009. The recovery has been slow, with subsequent quarters posting around 0.5% growth on average, including one-quarter of negative growth in 2010. The recession impacted heavily on the house-building industry, with NHBC statistics showing that from 2008 to 2010, housing completions fell from 148,000 to 103,000, representing a drop of almost 30% in 2 years.
2008 Context
The following areas of concern were raised in the 2008 research as items requiring further consideration: education, development cost and financing, investment in technology, health and safety and central coordination.
Since publication of NF9, and despite the financially difficult times, much progress has been made to alleviate these concerns. National media campaigns have been run to inform consumers about home energy efficiency and products, both DIY and those requiring a qualified installer, appear more prevalent and increasingly available.
June 2008 saw the launch of the Zero Carbon Hub. The Hub has brought people together and carried out important work to explore the technical and financial aspects of the proposed 2016 requirements. The likely industry skills and knowledge requirements, and how homes might best appeal to consumers are also areas of focus for the Hub and continue to be examined.
2008 - 2011
Over the last 4 years NHBC Foundation has engaged with a wide range of organisations and published information and guidance addressing such topics as the installation of renewable energy systems on roofs of dwellings, indoor air quality and the Feed-in Tariff (FIT). Current projects include the investigation of overheating in dwellings, a review of building performance test methodologies and an examination of how occupants interact with building control systems.
Following the May 2010 general election, the new Coalition Government’s first full budget in March 2011 announced clarification of the zero carbon new homes policy, confirming that it would now solely address emissions resulting from the use of regulated energy – in effect meaning that the house builder would not be responsible for CO2 emissions arising from an occupant’s use of appliances.
To encourage a reduction in CO2 emissions from the domestic sector, the FIT was introduced through legislation, providing a financial encouragement for the installation of renewable and low carbon electricity generation equipment. Significant cuts to the FIT payment rates were proposed in October 2011 and the effect of this, at both domestic and industry level, is yet to be felt. The forthcoming Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) aims to significantly increase the proportion of heat generated from renewable sources, and at the time of printing has been delayed while compatibility with European Union state aid rules is resolved. A consultation on the Green Deal ended on 18 January 2012 and it is anticipated that this initiative will reduce CO2 emissions from existing homes.
Objectives
With this constantly changing background and 4 years after the first study, NHBC Foundation considered it important to undertake this new research project, aiming to achieve the following objectives:
- to determine if attitudes to zero carbon homes have changed since the 2008 study by comparing current findings with those of 4 years ago
- to broaden the scope of the research and establish views of major parties including those of housing associations, tenants, and those with experience of occupying an enhanced new home
- to identify any challenges that could impact on the successful delivery of zero carbon homes on a large scale.
Acceptance of the Government’s 2016 zero carbon requirements is reliant on an informed industry and engaged occupiers who will want to take advantage of, and benefit from, new energy efficient homes. Changes to Building Regulations over the past 4 years are leading the way towards delivery of the zero carbon homes policy, but there are very few independent studies assessing how these changes are impacting industry and consumers alike.
2012 Research
Today’s attitudes to low and zero carbon homes reveals the current thoughts, awareness and understanding towards issues such as climate change, the CSH, the 2016 zero carbon definition, airtightness and renewable technologies.
The new research summarised in this executive briefing assesses the priorities of industry and the consumer when building or purchasing a new home, and looks at views that could impact upon new homes of the future. Improving on the 2008 study, more rounded findings are presented with the addition of views from housing associations and tenants.