UK: Huntingdonshire district council puts sustainability first
Posting Date | 26 July 2010
Countries | United Kingdom
Author(s) (organisation) | Apollo Housing
Huntingdonshire District Council takes its responsibility to the environment very seriously and is committed to meeting the Government’s target of an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. In the UK, 27% of all carbon emissions are generated by houses and while significant steps have been taken to improve the energy performance of new build properties, much work has still to be done to increase the efficiency of existing homes. With almost 67,000 privately owned homes in Huntingdonshire, the Council acquired two properties, typical of the area, which will be sustainably refurbished and used to demonstrate how cost effective refurbishment can have a significant impact on the reduction of carbon emissions and energy costs.
While a different rationale will be taken for each property, Apollo will apply a ‘whole house’ approach and work closely with the project team to identify local suppliers and affordable, efficient technologies. The St Neots property is a three-bedroom semi-detached house built in the 1970s and will show what might be possible with a relatively low financial outlay. The St Ives property, a two-bedroom detached house built in the 1960s, will be used as the main exemplar, showcasing what can be achieved through a more comprehensive programme of works. Extra living space will also be provided by means of a two storey side extension and single storey rear extension.
Energy performance improvements will include extensive insulation; double and triple glazed windows; an air source heat pump; photovoltaic panels; solar thermal hot water; an intelligent building management system; rainwater harvesting and water saving devices; low energy and LED lighting; a sustainable urban drainage system; and a water attenuation green roof. A ‘wildlife-friendly’ design will be applied to both gardens to encourage biodiversity.
The result
The project will be undertaken in partnership with the Building Research Establishment (BRE), as part of their ‘Rethinking Refurbishment’ campaign. By implementing BRE recommendations, Huntingdonshire District Council aims to increase the SAP score of St Ives from 48 to 85 and St Neots from approximately 50 to 81. BRE will continue to monitor performance post-completion. The project will be open to the public in late summer 2010 and will be used to show how such properties can be refurbished affordably and easily, not only with the aim of reducing carbon emissions but to provide healthier homes that are more comfortable and cost efficient to run.
Services
- Two storey side and single storey rear extensions
- Double and triple glazed windows
- Internal, external, cavity wall and loft insulation
- Air source heat pump and photovoltaic panels
- High efficiency boiler
- Building management system and smart meter
- Rainwater harvesting and water saving devices
- Low energy and LED lighting
- Sustainable urban drainage system
- Green roof and wildlife–friendly gardens
Source Languages | English
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