Builder’s ‘green’ aspirations matched by consumers

Mon, Oct 16th 2006, 11:00

Purchasers of new homes are becoming more eco-conscious, according to leading UK house builder Redrow Homes.

During recent focus groups designed to establish people’s preferences for kitchen and bathroom specifications and optional extras, Redrow found that many people mentioned energy efficiency and eco-friendly practice – totally unprompted. Items raised included:

- Space at side or back of home to accommodate extra re-cycling bins as provided by local authorities

- Solar panels

- Extra energy efficient light bulbs

- Water saving devices

- SAP ratings

Simon Bennett, Redrow’s group marketing director, comments: "Up until a couple of years ago it was very rare for customers to raise these things at all; now, with so much media coverage about global warming and the dangers of rising CO2 emissions, plus spiralling fuel prices, everyone seems to be becoming much more energy conscious."

This will be good news for the organisers of Energy Saving Week (Oct 23rd – 29th), the Energy Saving Trust, who are asking everyone to commit to saving 20% of the energy they use every day to help prevent climate change*.

Meanwhile Redrow is continuing its quest to reduce its own energy use and to improve the energy efficiency of the homes it builds. The company has published a sustainability policy which set out its commitment in a number of areas, including a pledge to:

 

- maximise the usage of materials classified in the ‘A’ or ‘B’ classifications of the Green Guide for specification

- increase the content of its product that can be recycled and value engineer the product to reduce waste generation

- drive down CO2 emissions by specifying low energy lighting, high performance heating systems and improving thermal efficiency of its homes

- consideration of off-site and on-site sustainable energy solutions

- consideration of water saving measures within all developments.

Research and development director Nigel Smith says: "We are already in discussions with potential suppliers which would allow us to power our developments from renewable off-site sources, which would be a big step forward.

"In addition, at Stamford Brook, in Cheshire, we have been working in partnership with the National Trust to create homes that minimise energy use and greenhouse gas emissions through highly insulated buildings, the use of efficient heating and ventilation systems, limiting overshadowing to maximise solar gain and constructing the dwellings to achieve stringent airtightness requirements. This work is being monitored by a team from Leeds Metropolitan University as part of a Government-sponsored ‘Partners in Innovation’ project."

Also at Stamford Brook, low volume flush toilets, aerated taps and water butts help keep water usage to a minimum and residents are encouraged to segregate their own waste for recycling.

The innovative Debut range of affordable homes, introduced to help first time buyers onto the property ladder, also demonstrates Redrow’s eco-conscious approach. Debut schemes in Rugby, Castle Vale and Chorley have already achieved the coveted EcoHomes ‘Excellent’ rating from the Building Research Establishment.

Nigel explains: "EcoHomes is an independent, transparent labelling scheme for housing, which assesses the environmental quality of a development by considering the broad concerns of climate change, use of resources, pollution and impacts on bio-diversity. Our Debut scheme at Willans Green, Rugby, has also been presented with an inaugural BREEAM Award for being the highest scoring EcoHomes assessed development in the 12 months to March 31st, 2006."

 

 Debut schemes incorporate factors such as high standards of insulation; cycle storage provision; use of certified sustainable timber; water efficient WCs, taps and showers; and provision of water butts to irrigate communal landscape areas.

"The lessons we are learning at Stamford Brook and through our ongoing Debut developments will, ultimately, filter through to our core housing range, together with new innovations that we are researching all the time," adds Nigel.

Even ahead of these changes, purchasers of new homes can take comfort in the fact that brand new homes are inherently more energy efficient than their older, second hand counterparts.

Simon Bennett adds: "According to industry experts, the heating and insulation installed in new homes makes them on average four times more energy efficient that older buildings, which means lower running costs and reduced pollution from greenhouse gases; while water efficient fittings in new homes are designed to minimise domestic water consumption."

Redrow builds around 5,000 new homes annually across England, Scotland and Wales, offering everything from its first time buyer Debut range to glitzy city centre apartments, traditional family housing, elegant townhouses and sympathetic conversions of grade II listed period properties. For details of properties and prices in your area call 0845 676 0500.