United Kingdom is the windiest country in Europe, so much so that we could power our country several times over. 
Achieving level 3 and beyond in the Code for Sustainable Homes
At present, the UK government is currently focusing on improving the environmental performance of new buildings within the residential sector to levels 3-4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which provides an approximate 25% increase in efficiency from those built in the UK in 2006. The Code builds upon the EcoHomes scheme and uses a point’s based system, awarding homes on a number of factors, from methods of recycling waste to responsible sourcing of materials and energy efficient lighting.
The Code for Sustainable Homes encourages both use of renewable energy sources and an efficient building fabric. It advocates improvements to the thermal efficiency of the walls, windows and roof, and careful design consideration to prevent thermal bridging (condensation occurring due to insulation breaks). There is within the scope for levels 3 or 4 recommendation for installation of renewable energy technologies, although these are optional and not an enforced requirement.
Currently, many properties are being installed to this level, which may be seen as a stepping stone to achieving the more rigorous Code level 6, which is also termed a Zero Carbon home. This is the ultimate goal, with current legislation requiring all new homes, particularly those in new ‘Eco Towns’ to be Zero Carbon by 2016.
There are many different routes to satisfying Code levels 3-6, and choice of which, is often determined by cost. Builders may adopt a number of strategies, although generally the most cost effective tend to be Passive techniques, which have often been seen in those aligned with the Passivhaus standard. This focuses on spatial heating and its loss from the building; by reducing the need for heating, will reduce its energy use considerably. Other builders may adopt renewable energy technologies, such as installation of Solar Panels, which often can be subsided by Government grants.
By providing flexibility in the method of satisfying the Code through the points system avoids problems from previous regulations such as the ‘Mertons Rule’ as used by Local Authorities to enforce absolute targets of 10 or 20% energy production from renewable sources, which caused builders to shift focus and cost from energy efficient methods, cutting back on insulation and quality of materials.
The downside to this legislation is that, there is no incentive for building contractors to build to higher levels than the pre requisite minimum legal standard. Therefore, homeowners, in order to achieve parity with future new buildings, will have to undergo significant refurbishment, through new triple glazing, additional insulation, energy efficient appliances and renewable energy technologies to achieve Zero Carbon.
There are, however, builders whom are intent on delivering Carbon Zero homes, and it is through these flagship pioneers that will move the construction industry forward, which has been stagnant for some time. It is likely that, initially at least, such properties will be more expensive and costly to build and it remains to be seen whether the reduced running costs and environmental performance will be sufficient incentive for consumers to make that key decision in parting with their cash.
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