Energy Efficient Homes - What's Next?

Whilst consumer expenditure is the first biggest cause of carbon emissions in the UK, the homes we live in are the second. Although we have moved forward drastically in the last few years, there is still some way to go. How can energy efficient homes continue to help to lower carbon emissions? Let’s take a look at what the future will look like…

Green Homes
'Green homes' are energy efficient new build homes, designed with sustainability in mind and aim to drastically reduce the size of the carbon footprint we leave as a nation.

One of the resources which will be used to cut carbon in new builds is renewable energy, in the form of solar panels, wind turbines and geothermal systems. Heat pumps will also replace traditional boiler systems and play their part in reducing emissions further. There have been big changes in the building industry recently meaning new homes will have to reduce their C02 emissions by 30% currently to stay in line with regulations.

In short, this means that, backed by the government, new build properties are the future when it comes to reducing our overall carbon footprint.

Let’s look at some stats
According to Zoopla “In 2025, the Future Homes Standard is due to come into force which will require new homes to reduce carbon emissions by a further 75% to 80% on current building regulations.

In 2019, Gov.uk said “The majority of new homes in England are in the most energy efficient bands, according to latest figures.

In the last quarter 84% of new homes across the country were given an energy rating of A or B, compared to 79% in the previous quarter.

Statistics also show, 392,000 domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) were lodged in England, an increase of 10% from the same quarter in 2019.”

To accompany the lower carbon goals in new homes, there have also been other considerations when building properties including the need for more ventilation and less overheating to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities and protecting the planet for future generations. The immediate benefits to consumers is the cost of running a home will be cheaper overall and the sense that they are doing their bit to help the planet.

Article Sources: Gov.uk & Zoopla