Energy company tests zero carbon homes
Utility company Scottish and Southern Energy is to build its own development of zero carbon homes to assess what they are like to live in.
The 10 homes are being built on the former site of an SSE office in Chalvey, Slough, and will meet level six of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
To achieve the zero carbon rating they will use grey water recycling, triple glazed windows, enhanced insulation, and the latest energy efficient appliances.
The energy needs of the homes will be met using five different types of micro generation, including air and ground source heat pumps, a biomass boiler, solar thermal panels and photovoltaic tiles.
To further enhance the green credentials of the development, there will be a communal garden with space to grow vegetables, and residents will share the use of an electric car.
The Greenwatt Way development has been designed by architects PRP, and should be finished this summer. The homes will be rented out to SSE employees, and local key workers through a partnership with Slough council.
The occupants will be asked to fill in a questionnaire each month, and the findings will feed into research being carried out by Reading University, the National House Building Council, and the Building Research Establishment.
SSE chief executive Ian Marchant said: ‘This is an exciting project for SSE as it will give us a much clearer picture of the zero carbon home process from start to finish.
‘Our core purpose is to provide the energy people need in a reliable and sustainable way and the move to zero carbon is completely consistent with that.’
Inside Housing and H+H are carrying out a survey into sustainability in housing organisations. Fill it in to share your views, and get the chance to win £500 of vouchers.
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