Sustainability in New Homes: Guidance for Local Authority stakeholders on carbon reduction, overheating and assuring performance

The end of the financial year saw the launch of the Sustainability in New Homes Playbook – v1 to approximately 180 cross sector delegates including housing developers, consultants and local government representatives. The playbook is the output of a UKGBC collaboration and forms a part of their Core Cities Programme intended to catalyse partnerships and … Continue reading “Sustainability in New Homes: Guidance for Local Authority stakeholders on carbon reduction, overheating and assuring performance”

Home Quality Mark ONE Consultation – we are listening.

Since the launch of Beta we have engaged with many different HQM stakeholders, including developers, assessors, consultancies designers, consumer groups, representative industry bodies, manufacturers, academics, regulators, planners, agents and various parts of the financial sector.   Most have been supportive in the aims of Home Quality Mark, with firm commitments from many via project registrations, recognition, … Continue reading “Home Quality Mark ONE Consultation – we are listening.”

BREEAM UK New Construction 2018 continues to drive energy performance improvements

Significant changes have been made to the way in which energy performance is assessed under the BREEAM UK New Construction 2018 scheme within Ene01 – Reduction of energy use and carbon emission. In order to address the energy performance gap, new criteria rewarding more detailed energy modelling, encompassing regulated and unregulated energy uses has been … Continue reading “BREEAM UK New Construction 2018 continues to drive energy performance improvements”

Getting Green Finance and Mortgages right with the Home Quality Mark.

We have a great opportunity in linking finance with the quality and sustainability of how we build homes, this should be maximised so we can deliver positive outcomes for consumers, the financial sector, developers and regulators.  The Home Quality Mark is the tool to do this.  10 years ago the news was full of stories … Continue reading “Getting Green Finance and Mortgages right with the Home Quality Mark.”

A straight forward approach to Energy management and building controls

Building controls, whether stand-alone units or full building energy management systems (BEMS), are designed to provide a comfortable climate for building occupants while consuming the lowest possible amount of energy. Controls can be used to manage heating, cooling, air-conditioning and lighting systems, blinds, fire and security systems and lifts. They can also be used to … Continue reading “A straight forward approach to Energy management and building controls”