Sustainable Living
The new homes will be designed to be sustainable, using low-carbon construction methods. The Future Homes Standard, which comes fully into force from 2025, means new residential buildings should be zero-carbon ready.
In practice, this means new homes should produce 75-80% fewer carbon emissions compared with 2019 levels and become net zero as the electricity grid continues to decarbonise.
Homes built to the Future Homes Standard will not need to be retrofitted with any additional measures or technology to become net zero. Homes will be fitted with low carbon forms of heating. The expectation is that heat pumps will become the main source of heating system for most new homes.
LHC Design have looked at practical ways this low carbon ambition could be achieved at Hensford Park:
Solar electricity: Roof sizes will be maximised to make the best possible use of solar panels to produce electricity, and batteries would be incorporated to store electricity for later use if it is not consumed immediately when generated.
Solar heating: Roof-mounted panels could be used to heat water for use in the home
Heat pumps: These use electricity to transfer heat from the outside air to water, which then heats domestic radiators. This means there is no need for gas to heat the properties.
Fabric-first construction: Good levels of insulation keep homes cool in summer and warm in winter, lowering both fuel bills and carbon emissions.
A range of other measures could be introduced to lower carbon emissions and maintain comfortable temperatures, including summer roof ventilation, waste water heat recovery, mechanical heat ventilation and recovery, and external shutters.
