Sustainability

Solar panels – the public know what they are, but just how much do they really know about them? Surprisingly little, according to research* revealed today by Wienerberger, the UK’s leading provider of wall, roof and landscaping innovations, which is aiming to make installing solar simpler for consumers by launching its new solar panel offering this week.

• 1 in 3 people aspire to have solar panels on their home, however over 40% of people over-estimate the cost of solar panel installation
• Nearly 1 in 5 believe that they can only be fitted on houses with south facing gardens
• Price, cost savings and aesthetic are the most important factors when it comes to considering installing solar

A PAREX External Wall Insulation SYSTEM (EWI) has contributed to the energy efficiency of a new centre for Cystic Fibrosis patients voted as runner-up in major regional awards.

The £6.6 million Wolfson Centre on the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust City Hospital campus was selected as runner-up in the Large Project of the Year section of the 2016 Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Awards East Midlands.

The centre provides a “home in hospital” when needed for around 250 adult Cystic Fibrosis patients from Nottinghamshire and surrounding counties. It has been funded with major support from the Nottingham Hospitals Charity, The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the community.

In 2015, Nottingham City Homes (NCH) appointed Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS) to install external wall insulation (EWI) to over 1,100 social and private housing properties in Nottingham. The work was procured by Nottingham City Homes (NCH) via the Efficiency East Midlands (EEM) solid wall insulation framework and the works awarded on the basis of its commitment to delivering quality, best value and social benefits within the local community - including the creation of local jobs.

Year: October 2015 to present (on going)
Approx Value: £10 million (3 phases)
Client: Nottingham City Homes (via EEM)

The latest Green Housing Forum, sponsored by Daikin UK, examined the main barriers to the installation of low carbon heating solutions in both new, and retrofit, social housing developments and the eradication of fuel poverty. Here, Nancy Jonsson, Commercial Director for Heating and Renewables at Daikin UK reports on the discussions from the event; outlining the potential barriers to renewable technologies and how they can be overcome.

Hosted in Scotland for the first time with speakers from Energy Action Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership and Sustainable Homes, the appetite and appreciation for renewable heating technology was apparent. Encouraged by the amendments to the Scottish building legislation section 6, air source heat pumps are ideally positioned to tackle fuel poverty, reduce fuel bills for residents as well as achieve Government dwelling carbon dioxide emission targets.

One of the most fundamental things any social landlord can provide is housing that is energy efficient. Not only will this help to futureproof their building stock, it also helps to tackle the rising issue of fuel poverty.

The introduction of Fabric Energy Efficiency standards (FEEs) in the last round of Building Regulation changes provided an assurance of minimum performance levels for new housing. However, as insulation levels have increased, the effects of thermal bridging have become more pronounced, and this can be a particular problem for the cavity wall constructions that are so popular throughout the UK.  One of the simplest ways to treat heat losses from thermal bridges around openings, such as doors and windows, and at the same time help to comply with the Regulations, is with insulated cavity closers.

Winner of the recent Housing Innovation Awards “Most Innovative Regeneration” category, this scheme, known as BGreen, started as a collaborative partnership between First Choice Homes, Oldham Council, British Gas, NHS Oldham and Forrest. 

A £21m improvement programme was put in place for 1,400 homes owned by First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) and owner occupiers to support residents in finding solutions to address deep rooted problems in five estates in Oldham.

Sarah White, Residential Market Manager at British Gypsum, discusses how Housing Associations can increase efficiencies through use of innovative building products.

Housing Associations are feeling the pinch to their finances. Factors such as the 1% rent reduction and extension of the Right to Buy are causing concerns. At the same time, the Government is putting the pressure on to build more homes. Taken together, for Housing Associations, it is more important than ever to deliver cost efficiencies.

Housing Associations also have to weigh up the demands of their tenants. Frequent maintenance work and poor quality of housing stock can contribute to high tenant turnover rates, as well as vacant houses bringing in no income. Building products which provide long term durability not only minimise maintenance disruption, but can also help contribute to a better aesthetic of housing stocks, helping to retain tenants.