At COP26, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Boris Johnson pledged that the UK would have net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This commitment was echoed by various other countries around the world, all driven by the desire to slow down and even reverse climate change.
Fossil fuels – gas, oil, and coal – are the largest contributor to global warming. When burned, these natural materials release CO2 which creates a ‘blanket’ around the earth that traps the sun’s heat. In fact, fossil fuels account for 90% of all carbon emissions which is why achieving net zero is so vital to ensuring a sustainable existence on Earth.
The UK’s leaky housing stock
Fossil fuels are used in a variety of ways, from powering factories to keeping transport running. What might surprise you, however, is that households are the largest single contributor to UK emissions. This is because the housing stock in the UK is some of the most leaky in Europe: poor at retaining heat, our existing properties require consumers to use more gas in order to keep the space warm.
Making houses more sustainable
Given the significant carbon dioxide contribution that comes from residential living, revolutionising the approach to property construction is central to the government’s plans of achieving net zero. New build homes are more sustainable in several ways, in the way that they are assembled and due to various key design elements enabling consumers to be more green.
The eco elements of new build homes
Championing renewable energy
First and foremost, new build homes champion renewable energy. This is with a view to removing residential life from a reliance on fossil fuels.
A major part of this plan is the gas boiler ban that will take effect from 2025. This traditional heating system is to be replaced by new eco-friendly technology such as solar panels and air source heat pumps.
Improved insulation
As well as changing the way that we heat our homes, building regulations for new housing are also focused on finding better ways to keep that heat inside. This means improved insulation.
Cavity walls have been used for properties for decades as a method of protecting against damp. However, the gap inside these walls contributes to significant heat loss. Modern cavity walls are filled with insulative material that blocks cold air from coming in and stops warm air moving outside.
New build houses are also fitted with double- or even triple-glazed windows with uPVC frames and doors with draught-proofing that further help to prevent cold air coming inside the building.
Eco-friendly fittings and fixtures
New build homes also have the latest fittings and fixtures which are typically more energy efficient than their preceding models.
For example, out-dated gas cookers are usually replaced by induction hobs which are powered by electricity and require less energy to run. Rooms are fitted with eco-friendly LED power-saving lightbulbs, and thermostats are more sensitive to temperature for better heating regulation.