Yvette Cooper MP, Minister for Housing and Planning, visited Hockerton Housing Project today to find out more about the issues associated with achieving zero carbon housing.

During the whistle-stop 50 minute visit, Nick White (Director & Project resident) gave the Minister and an accompanying Guardian journalist a quick tour of his house and explained how they worked, what was successful and what lessons had been learnt over the last 9 years.

Summary of points made to Minister

What can be achieved?

• Ultra low energy homes (25% energy use compared to homes built to current building regulations) by primarily focusing on reducing space heating
• Ultra low energy homes need not cost any more to build – BUT need to remove complex spaced heating systems and use savings to invest in insulation & glazing
• Increase in thermal comfort
• Long term energy cost savings (approx. £1000/annum for HHP homes versus average UK home)
• Future proofing householders against rising energy/water costs
• Zero carbon homes …BUT currently at a cost due to expensive renewables.

Barriers

• Perceived premium costs for environmental building
• Attitudes towards keeping complex space heating
• Love affair with high technology & gizmos!
• Micro-Renewables currently expensive and too much emphasis on payback rather than return on investment.

Key Lessons

• Get the structure/basics right early on in design
• Energy conservation first, second & third…then generation
• Complex heating systems are very poor value for money compared to use of high levels of insulation as part of construction
• Technology invariably disappoints in terms of performance and durability
• Energy generation costs a premium
• Micro-wind very site sensitive and unlikely to perform in urban environments
• Design should limit on-costs & maintenance
• Keep it simple ….easier/cheaper and less wasteful.