Energy efficient fixed appliances and building control systems (NF43)
Overview
This primary research report examines the range of energy efficient fixed appliances and building control systems that are either currently available, or are under development, and which merit consideration by designers as options for zero carbon homes from 2016.
The report considers a variety of technologies and identifies those that have most potential in delivering energy/carbon savings, including whole house shutdown, waste water heat recovery, passive flue gas heat recovery and next generation light emitting diode lighting.
Summary of content
The study was commissioned by the NHBC Foundation and carried out by BRE. It involved:
- Understanding what energy efficient fixed appliances and building control systems are currently available or are under development and may be available in 2016 in order to inform debate on the 2016 zero carbon new homes policy.
- Gauging the significance of these technologies relative to the likely CO2 emissions for a typical home built in 2016.
- Identifying those technologies that merit further investigation by designers, house builders and the wider industry.
The report presents the findings of this study and highlights the various issues to be considered in the implementation of energy efficient fixed appliances and building control systems. It was found that a number of technologies analysed by the study offer significant potential for saving energy and thus reducing CO2 emissions. The study also found, contrary to what was envisaged at the start of the project, that many of the technologies can, or may in future, be considered via the energy efficiency and carbon compliance aspects of the zero carbon new homes policy.
Of the technologies assessed to have the greatest relevance in achieving net zero CO2 emissions over the course of a year, the two that stand out as offering the greatest CO2 emission reductions are whole house shutdown (19% reduction) and Waste Water Heat Recovery (6.8% reduction).