Energy and Housing in the UK - are we going foward to “caves”
I was watching an interesting program today on TV. Apparently by 2016 all house (or was it new houses? - happy to be corrected) will be required to have zero carbon emissions. They are exploring all kinds of initiatives including solar tiles for roofs.
There is a lot of action and thought going into green roofs where, subject to structural checks, people are putting soil and plants on their roofs. Some were very interesting and beautiful. The ideas including much improved thermal insulation and also CO2 absorption. This was especially suggested in cities.
So perhaps we will go forward to “caves” but high tech ones with plants on the roofs rather than back to caves as we reduce our energy use. A well designed high tech “cave” with heaps of light from skylights and huge double glazed widows around a courtyard and a wonderful roof garden would be the one thing that would tempt me out of my apartment - providing I found a location like where I live, on a bus route, within walking distance of the city CBD and of shops. I would LOVE to be involved in building and living in something truly sustainable.
Technorati Tags: energy, energy and housing, UK, zero carbon emissions, carbon emissions, solar tiles, solar tiles for roofs, CO2, CO2 absorption
May 6th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Hi Jean
yes, it is zero CO2 emissions from all NEW houses by 2016, sorry to be the one to correct you!
I was still in Local Gov in the UK when the proposal came through and it certainly caused a buzz of excitement within Environmental Services, unfortunately more of a groan of resentment in Planning Services, so we still have a little way to go before there is a happy marriage here.
There is a very interesting development in Beddington, South London called BedZed, which is a zero energy rated development. Read more at http://www.bioregional.com/programme_projects/ecohous_prog/bedzed/bedzed_hpg.htm
Having worked with BedZed and now working at CH2 in Melbourne, I have wondered if the architect of CH2 took some inspiration from BedZed, as they are a bit similar to look at! http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=171&pg=1933 for more info.
Anyway enough blurb from me, look forward to your next installment Jean!
May 9th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
thanks for the update! I am always happy to be corrected.