Zero Carbon Homes 2016: Identifying the challenges and potential
solutions to achieving zero carbon homes in England
Executive Summary
The research was carried out between October 2011 and February 2012 using
interviews, focus groups and surveys. 12 people took part in interviews and focus
groups to gain in-depth information. 45 completed online and paper questionnaires
were collected. Respondents were from a range of trades and professions in the
construction sector (see below).
Architecture/design
Survey respondents by company type
Energy/environmental/building
consultancy
Home building Firm
1%
Building engineering/systems
1%
1%
Other
1%
Renewable energy systems
1%
3%
Buildings research/policy
4%
Building materials supplier
26%
4%
Timber frame manufacturer
4%
Building contol
6%
Local government
10%
14%
Environmental non-governmental
organisation
Housing association
11%
13%
Planning
Trade body
Main Challenges and Solutions identified to Zero Carbon Homes
Issue
Cost Issues
Education and Training
ZCH Attractiveness and Demand
Resistance Vs Proactive
Public Awareness and
Understanding
Holistic Thinking and Working
Government Support
Building Methods
Skills
Design Methods and Practice
Knowledge and Understanding
Total frequency
interviews
9
9
6
7
Total frequency
surveys
10
7
7
5
Total surveys
& interviews
19
16
13
12
8
6
9
5
6
6
7
4
5
2
5
4
3
2
12
11
11
10
10
9
9
Main findings
Costs
Many respondents were concerned about the cost implications of Zero Carbon
Homes (ZCH) in particular the costs of renewable and low carbon technologies
needed to offset regulated energy use. There was a consensus that the Zero Carbon
Homes (ZCH) buildings regulations will add to the cost of new build house prices. At
the same time many thought that buyers would be unwilling to pay a premium and
that buyers might instead look at the existing homes markets.
There was also concern about the costs on businesses of training their workforce
to deliver ZCH.
Demand and Public Understanding
There was a consensus that the public generally don’t understand what Zero Carbon
Homes are, if they have indeed even come across the term. This has led to concern
about low levels of interest and demand for ZCH. On the other hand other
respondents stated that the savings on running costs of ZCH in relation to rising
electricity and gas prices could make ZCH attractive to buyers. However these
benefits need to be clearly marketed to potential buyers and there must be efforts
made so that the public understand what ZCH are.
Lack of Government Support
Whilst government is introducing the new ZCH building regulations for new homes,
there was a view amongst many that the training needed in the industry has been left
to firms themselves to administer and pay for. It was felt by many that if the
government wants new homes to meet these building regs it should offer financial
support for firms to undertake training, especially at a time when many SMEs in the
sector are under severe financial pressure.
Uncertainty of regulations
The changing definition of zero carbon homes and a perceived changing of the goal
posts for ZCH was seen as unhelpful and inconsistent. Whilst some saw the
changing of the definition of ZCH as a watering down of an ambitious and ground
breaking standard (including offsetting electrical use using renewables and low
carbon technologies), others thought that the present definition of ZCHs (which only
includes the need to offset regulated energy) is more appropriate.
It was also felt that the uncertainty of what will constitute allowable solutions (the
element of the ZCH which will require developers to offset any residual carbon
emissions from regulated energy) is not helpful. The allowable solutions element
itself was seen as controversial by some respondents.
Need for new knowledge and skills
It was thought by most that meeting ZCH will require better knowledge of low carbon
building techniques and skills, in particular in order to meet more stringent Fabric
Energy Efficiency Standards (FEE). It was stated by a number of people that with
increasingly stringent requirements for dwelling emissions that a more holistic
approach to building will be needed. Many suggested that there needs to be much
more collaboration between architects, engineers, energy consultants and trades at
the design stage of a development. It was also emphasised that new skills are
needed to deliver robust solutions for FEE so that the performance of the fabric
would last throughout the buildings’ life.
Training and Education
New skills and knowledge are delivered through training which was seen as the most
important and effective solution to achieve ZCHs. As well as professional and trades
having the appropriate skills, an understanding of why low carbon buildings are
important and leaning the theory of thermal bypass, airtightness is necessary.
A real problem identified is that it is mainly just the volume housebuilders who are
doing training whereas most SMEs are undertaking any training.
A few respondents suggested that quality of build is essential to ensure good
FEE and that having pride in ones work will be important in delivering ZCH.
Reactive and Proactive attitudes
There is a divide in attitudes towards ZCHs. Some are in favour of ZCHs seeing it as
moving in the right direction and desirable to decarbonise housing. There are a small
number of firms who are being proactive in low carbon building, and who are being
innovative with new techniques and materials. Some people who were broadly
supportive of ZCHs believed that there wasn’t enough emphasis on an energy
efficient building fabric and too much emphasis on renewables and low carbon
technologies.
On the other hand there were reactive views: those who didn’t see the need for
ZCHs and saw it a costly measure which could damage the building industry. It was
also identified by many that there is conservatism within the industry and that
compliance with ZCHs wouldn’t actually be achieved by some developments in 2016
because the pace of change is too slow.
Lessons from existing Zero Carbon Homes
There was consensus that learning the techniques used in existing ZCH would be
very useful in training the workforce and getting inspiration from Code for Sustainable
Homes level 6 homes or Passivhouses.
Recommendations
The following recommendations are proposed to government based on the research:
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Promote good levels of understanding and skills in building low carbon
homes, promoting quality of build and pride in work
Rolling out of a national, government supported training and education
programme for industry professionals and trades.
Provision of government funding, particularly for SMEs to undertake training.
Addressing uncertainties by disseminating clear and easy to understand
information to all industry parties in a timely manner.
Provision of government funding for demonstration ZCH developments as
soon as possible, so that firms can learn from demonstration homes.
Working with homebuilders to develop a strategy to raise public awareness
about the benefits of Zero Carbon Homes.
Government should engage with banks to ensure they offer “energy efficient
mortgages”, to encourage uptake of ZCHs.
To make ZCH attractive, technology incentives such as FITs should continue
at appropriate levels beyond 2016 and the RHI (phase 2) incentive introduced
as planned for homes.
Conclusions
The findings indicate that a number of substantial challenges to ZCHs are still
present in the industry, although the ZCHs policy does have board support. Swift
intervention is needed by government and the industry, to ensure that firms who
haven’t done so, begin to prepare for the zero carbon homes building regulations in
2016. If government intervention is not taken, it seems likely that many firms will not
be sufficiently prepared and won’t necessarily comply with the 2016 building
regulations part L. Therefore the primary reasons for Zero Carbon Homes: emissions
reductions, energy security and fuel poverty won’t be tackled effectively by the policy.
If you have any questions or comments please email me at
adam.harper@hotmail.co.uk