Shapps sets out plans for zero carbon homes
Wednesday, 18 May 2011 12:17 PM
Housing minister Grant Shapps has announced what he called a “tough but realistic” definition of the zero carbon standard that will apply to all new homes built from 2016.
The definition is a compromise designed to reduce carbon emissions while keeping down costs so that homes still get built.
Builders themselves will now be responsible for emissions from the homes they build, from heating, lighting and hot water to building services.
But Shapps said he had rejected calls to make housebuilders anticipate the lifetime emissions from each property. He explained: “They should not be responsible for the amount of television the families who buy their homes watch or the number of cups of tea they make each day.”
Tough standards for fabric energy efficiency (covering insulation and glazing) will be included in future changes to the Building Regulations.
Shapps added that the government would consult on the levels for other on-site carbon reduction levels that might require the use of renewable technologies like solar panels.
He said: ‘This is an historic turning point in our drive to slash carbon emissions and tackle climate change. It paves the way for the green transformation of Britain's homes – making them warmer and more comfortable to live in, and at the same time cheaper to run.
“We have done this without piling unfair costs on housebuilders. The new definition will balance increased costs of house-building with the social commitment we made to reduce our country's carbon footprint.”
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