Learning from Living
The housebuilding industry is having to grow its understanding of the design, construction and performance of energy and resource efficient homes to meet ever more demanding standards. Greenwatt Way adds to the emerging knowledge. The ten homes are built to level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and are a testbed for research into energy consumption in real urban zero carbon homes. The scheme has been developed by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) on its own site in Slough, and was one of the largest schemes of zero carbon homes in the country. Designed by PRP, it comprises both apartments and houses, an energy centre, a project meeting room and a communal garden. To reflect the different construction methods used in the UK, the site contains homes built from timber frame and masonry. SSE is collaborating with a number of organisations on the project, including BRE, the National House-Building Council and Reading University. The homes include such features as: enhanced insulation, natural ventilation, greywater recycling, solar photovoltaic panels, whole house ventilation with heat recovery, water saving taps and toilets, triple glazed windows, smart meters and efficient appliances. The energy centre includes four different renewable heat technologies: solar thermal panels, air source heat pump, ground source heat pump and biomass boiler. A hydrogen fuel cell (combined heat and power) is scheduled for installation in the future. The homes are occupied by SSE employees, Slough Borough Council staff and local families and all are providing vital feedback for the research. Research work is covering: post occupancy evaluation, heating and power use, ventilation performance, home appliances and systems demonstration, electric vehicles, and water usage.
|
