Introduction, Lessons and Resources

Introduction

Housing associations have often been seen as leading with the delivery of environmentally friendly new homes. There have been several reasons for this. Originally the leaders in the field were driven by a social responsibility to deliver energy efficient homes to support residents. But they also recognised wider environmental responsibilities, to tread more lightly, reducing harmful emissions and the use of natural resources. Recently, more associations are recognising that environmental impacts have to be addressed, mainly due to the Government, Housing Corporation, regional development agencies and local authorities committing to sustainable development, and requiring greater awareness.

Whatever the driving force during the last decade, many demonstration projects have been carried out around the country.

Lessons and resources

The schemes have all been carried out using funding from the Housing Corporation and have influenced the design and specification of future developments for these associations and others. Many of the schemes are also Rethinking Construction demonstration projects.

Now more housing associations are realising that it won’t be long before recommendations to build environmentally sustainable homes will become requirements.

Up until April 2003, housing associations were encouraged to reduce environmental impacts through the Housing Corporation’s environmental objectives and regulatory framework. April saw the introduction of a new requirement. All schemes funded by the Corporation must achieve a minimum rating under the Building Research Establishment’s (BRE) environmental assessment method for homes – EcoHomes. For the first time, housing associations have to consider their design and specifications in terms of environmental impact.

To support the step change needed in the sector, a range of tools have been developed (facilitated by the Housing Corporation) and to encourage more sustainable construction.

Sustainability Works (www.sustainabilityworks.org.uk) enables associations (and any other developer for that matter) to develop and adopt a framework for sustainable construction. Once a policy guiding development has been agreed, it can be applied to any potential scheme at feasibility stage. It also enables the sustainability of the finished scheme to be monitored. As EcoHomes is now required, it enables the prediction of a scheme’s score to be made and includes information on the Housing Quality Index and Sustainability Toolkit, both specific requirements for housing associations.

Generating Solar Homes aims to support a greater take up of solar technology in the sector. Photovoltaics are being employed by a growing number of housing associations. Pathways to PV is a step by step guide to developing a PV scheme and is available free from info@nottenergy.com.

Experience has shown that passive design and features may have better results than specifying for active results. Specifying a 4 litre WC will always result in water saving. Specifying water butts will if people use the water – this may not always be the case.

Many associations have adopted passive ventilation systems, but residents need to be advised of how the system works, otherwise systems can be taped over to cut out draughts.

On the other hand, specifying higher levels of insulation or environmentally friendly insulation materials will work without residents needing to know about them.

When looking at high-tech approaches, installing photovoltaics and solar hot water systems on properties where people spend a lot of time at home results in electricity and hot water being used as it is generated. However the household makeup is important. If a single person has a solar system they might not actually use the water which has resulted in the hot water boiling over!

This has been put together by Sustainable Homes. Sustainable Homes promotes sustainability to housing associations and shares good and bad practice for new and existing homes, carries out research and training. For more information visit www.sustainablehomes.co.uk.