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News Release from: BuildStore | Subject: Creating a low emission home
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 13 February 2007
Creating a low emission home
National Self Build and Renovation Centre and the environment: creating a low emission home.
National Self Build and Renovation Centre and the environment: creating a low emission home Modern eco friendly technology and energy efficient systems can drastically reduce the running costs and carbon footprint of a home
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 7 May 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The Government has set out long term plans to make all new homes carbon neutral by 2016 with the added bonus of stamp duty being waived for zero emission dwellings.
People thinking about creating a truly energy efficient home should seriously consider self building or major renovation projects, where energy efficient features can be designed in from the start to create a low or even zero emission home with low running costs.
The Self Build and Restoration Centre is filled with the latest technologies, products and services that can assist with making a new home greener, from solar panels to energy efficient boilers and heat pumps to highly efficient appliances.
Further reading
Key facts on self build and renovation
Over 20,000 people build their own homes in the UK each year, accounting for one in eight of all new homes - more than the largest commercial house builder.
All about BuildStore
All about BuildStore, UK's leading supplier to the self build, conversion and renovation market, and how to find your way around the new National Self Build And Renovation Centre.
National Self Build and Renovation Centre
Centre is on a different scale to anything seen before in UK self build and renovation sector and includes everything required for a successful self build or renovation project.
The Centre also offers useful seminars and advice on energy efficiency and creating a sustainable home.
Where do we use energy? In the home, energy is typically consumed by:.
Heating 44%.
Cooking, lighting and electrical appliances 33%.
Heating water 14%.
Cooling the fridge 9%.
How to cut down on carbon emission generated from the home 1.
Use renewable energy.
Derived from wind, sun, sea, or replaceable sources such as waste products and crops.
2.
Generate your own energy.
Use technologies such as solar heating, photo voltaic cells, geothermal heat pump systems and wind turbines.
- Solar water heating systems.
- Solar PV (photovoltaic).
- Geothermal ground source heat pumps.
- Small scale wind turbines.
3.
Reduce the amount of energy you need.
Use more efficient appliances.
- High Efficiency Boilers with heating controls could save you hundreds of pounds annually and significantly cut your home's CO2 emissions.
- Biomass boiler system which typically use logs, wood chips or pellets as fuel.
- High efficiency rated kitchen appliances and lighting.
4.
Conserve the heat you have generated.
Put in efficient insulation systems.
- Use modern building techniques in wall structure systems and roof construction.
- Install double or triple glazed systems and thermally efficient installation systems to make your house air tight and thermally protected.
- Put lagging on hot water tanks and pipes.
This affects the way the heat energy is stored and distributed.
- You can save 10% a year on heating if you use good control systems with thermostats.
Lower the temperature of your thermostat by just one degree.
5.
Conservation and recycling of water.
- Conserve water use in the home by obvious means such as showers rather than bathing.
- Modify your plumbing to include:.
* Gravity based (rather than mains pressure) hot water systems.
* Displacement devices in toilets (toilets account for 40% of all domestic use).
* Low volume and self closing taps.
* Low flow shower heads.
* Efficient washing machines and dishwashers.
- Consider harvesting rainwater and use re-cycled "grey water" (baths and wash hand basins) for flushing toilets, filling washing machines and watering gardens.
Where to find products, services and advice for greener solutions at the National Centre.
Energy.
- Solar Panel,s Services Zone and Renovation House.
- PV Cell, Services Zone and Renovation House.
- Geothermal Heat Pump System Underground Services.
- Conversion of Fuel to Heat, Services Zone and Renovation House.
- Biomass Fuelled Stoves, Services Zone.
Heat Conservation.
- Insulation Systems , Groundworks (Floors), Wall Structures.
Roof Construction and Renovation House.
- Insulation (Openings), Wall Structures, Roof Construction and Finishes.
- Heating System Efficiency, Services Zone and Renovation House.
Water Conservation and Recycling.
- Groundworks (Underground Services), Services Zone.
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