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Mixed Reactions for new Zero Carbon Homes definition
Last week, Grant Shapps (the UK Housing Minister) finally announced a definition for zero carbon homes. The UK government has pledged to make all new homes in the region net zero starting 2016, but until recently there has been quite some debate on how to define a zero carbon home.
This new definition, which attempts to strike a balance between reducing carbon emissions and the economics of building new homes, has several key differences from pervious iterations.
- Rather than requiring new homes to target the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6, zero carbon homes will only have to aim for something close to Level 5.
- Unfortunately, the new zero carbon target will exclude plug-loads which is an indication of reduced ambition on the part of the government.
- The fabric energy efficiency of a home, including things like insulation, lighting, hot water, heating, glazing, and so forth, will be addressed through future Building Regulation changes. Home builders will not be responsible for the energy consumed by appliances and electronics by the occupants.
Shapps stated that, “We have decided that the regulatory threshold for zero carbon should be set to cover only those emissions which are within the scope of the Building Regulations, such as those from heating, ventilation, hot water, fixed lighting and building services.”
Several details regarding the new definition for zero carbon homes have yet to be finalised. The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) will be consulting with theZero Carbon Hub over the coming months to develop recommendations for on-site carbon reduction levels as well as how to develop a system for determining off-site measures.
That said, this new definition does encourage a high standard for energy efficiency in new homes and pushes for either on-site or off-site renewable energy technology use. Shapps added, “Where house builders can deliver more ambitious carbon reductions on the site of the home than these minimum requirements, they will have the option to do so. Where it is not possible for house builders to do this cost effectively, we will ensure that a mechanism is available that allows house builders to meet their commitments at a cost no higher than the Government’s long-term value of carbon.”
