UK-Green Building Council calls on industry to take carbon lead
Paul King, chief executive of UK-GBC said that the sustainability body is encouraging tackling carbon emissions with the profit and the independence that it brings, not having to rely on the government to implement change. The UK-GBC is also calling on its 330 members to disclose their carbon footprints and calculate full-life carbon for buildings […]
Ten top energy efficiency tips
Smart Ways to Save Energy at Home and Building — Practical Tips and Real Facts With rising energy costs and growing awareness of climate change, households across the UK are increasingly taking action to use energy more efficiently. Simple choices in daily life and small home improvements can significantly reduce your bills and shrink your […]
Committee urges emissions cut of 60% by 2030
The Committee on Climate Change recommended a carbon budget for 2023-27 and a target for emissions reductions in 2030. The recommended target for 2030, to cut emissions by 60% relative to 1990 levels, would then require a 62% emissions reduction from 2030 to meet the 2050 target in the Climate Change Act.
UK consuming a third more CO2 than in 1990
Research shows that Britain and the EU are only achieving international carbon targets because emissions have been “off-shored” to countries like China. The UK’s Kyoto target is to cut its production of CO2 to 12.5% below 1990 levels. But figures in Policy Exchange’s new research confirm that Britain is actually consuming almost a third more […]
Energy: Risky business?
In October 2010 manufacturing output grew by 0.6% month on month. On a long-term basis, manufacturing itself grew by an astounding 5.6% over three months compared with last year. Over the next five years legislation on carbon reduction commitments will strengthen causing energy cost and consumption management to become increasingly more carefully thought out. The […]
From Solar Panels to Complete Energy Independence: What’s Next?
Energy regulator Ofgem has reported that since April over 10,000 solar systems have been installed with increasing numbers month after month. One main problem is whether supply can keep up with demand; although there are reports that an easing in the shortage of inverters will be implemented into the industry. If this UK market continues […]
Subsidy review puts hundreds of solar panel projects at risk
The government has announced a review of subsidies to large renewable energy schemes, putting many solar panel projects on buildings at risk. Many planned solar installations on schools, social housing and commercial office blocks may be stopped by a capped 50KW cut off point.
When will builders ‘Go Green’ ?
Now is the time for house builders to change their ways and implement change to achieve the government’s target of an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2015. However, there are those still questioning the cost of this change to not only a construction cost but to their business itself. There are two options; completely […]
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have announced that the Renewable Heat Incentive will be introduced in 2001-2012 with £860 of funding. However specific details of the implementation are not yet explicit. In addition the Green deal, due to be introduced may also assist in improving home insulation strategies or strategies to improve […]
Refurbishment of existing housing stock – Ployurethane insulation and its Carbon Cost Effectiveness
Changes need to be made giving a real impact on the cutting of CO2 emissions. The best approach is to refurbish existing housing stock with, for example; Polyurethane spray foam insulation. This will help to improve carbon emissions as it not only insulates but provides an airtight barrier decreasing thermal transmissions by around 30%. Adding […]
What is the Green Deal? – Eco-Refit, Refurb and the Future
The BRE Trust and the Energy Saving Trust is currently introducing The National Refurbishment Centre. This data brings in reliable resources from scientific research and testing, guidance’s on installation techniques and more so, real refurbishment projects with customer feedback from around the country. The Governments Green deal investment will implement energy efficiency resources in autumn […]
New Sustainable Homes Code scheme – November 2011
The new Code for Sustainable Homes was published in November 2011 bringing a simpler and more precise code of assessment. It was upgraded from the ‘May 2009 Version 2’ and sets out the code of technical guidance. For the latest changes to the Code for Sustainable Homes assessment scheme click here to download. Please contact […]
Energy Assessments – Extension projects
Both the builder and owner of a building have a legal requirement to make and comply with an appropriate Building Regulations Application. If both the builder and owner do not comply it may result in prosecution through the Magistrates’ Court. If you are considering a building project and you are unsure as to whether it […]
Guide to extending your home – Syntegra Consulting feature
Syntegra Consulting in partnership with LABC and Wokingham Borough Council have produced an information booklet applicable for both homeowners/Architects/Contractors when considering to undertake a domestic extension under current building regulations. The information booklet details in phases what to consider, the issues and the documentation required to be produced. The booklet was released in January 2011. […]
UK economy predictions for 2011 – By Alan King (Director of Syntegra Consulting)
Whilst our business and niche sector in energy consultancy/zero carbon design and sustainable building compliance is growing at a fast and exciting pace, 2011 will be a cautious year as our clients will be moving tentatively into 2011 with the hope of a more confident UK economic recovery. In 2010, at Syntegra Consulting we have […]
20% VAT increase – 11,000 construction job loses predicted
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has predicted that increasing the VAT rate from 17.5% to 20% could lead to over 11,000 job loses in the construction sector over the next decade. They state further that the increase will result in a 2% decrease in demand for domestic repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) work, which […]
2011 Housebuilding – Housebuilding set to stagnate after 30% rise in 2010
The number of new homes started rose by 30% in 2010, bouncing back from record industry lows in 2009 according to the latest NHBC figures. – However, the number of completions actually fell by just over 10% in the year, as housebuilders slowed down due to the tentative market. House minister Grant Shapps this week […]
Energy audit – Waterways, 27 Derby Road, Loughborough
Syntegra Consulting appointed energy consultants on behalf of Mainstay Residential Ltd (Property Management Firm), to undertake a detailed energy audit of the Waterways student accommodation development, consisting of 3No. 3-5 storey buildings. In total there is 35 student apartments. A energy consumption audit and bill validation exercise was carried out along with detailed energy efficiency […]
Bringing the UK housing stock up to standard
New leading sustainable construction methods including zero carbon housing and passivhaus are becoming ever more prevalent. – It is all to forget about the UK’s existing building stock, which is accountable for 27% of the UK’s total carbon emissions. The government has set ambitious targets for 2050 to reduce CO2 emissions by 80%. This is […]
The increasing specification of Structured Insulated Panels (SIPS) in the UK
Structured Insulated Panels (SIPS) have been widely adopted in USA and Europe, particularly its organisation in Netherlands where high performance panels have been the preferred method of thermal roofing construction for nearly 40 years. The UK SIP Association www.uksips.org has been operational for just over a year. In this time it has acquired 54 independent […]
PassivHaus design Vs Code for Sustainable Homes (Q&A)
The raft of energy and building legislation driving the construction industry is causing clients and designer a real headache. For example, what is the difference between PassivHaus design standards and Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) assessment design? – Typically a PassivHaus will acheive a code for sustainable homes rating of code lvel 3 or 4. […]
Building regulations change – Part L
As we now know it the new Part L building regs requires a 25% reduction in carbon emissions compared with the 2006 version. Obviously this will have a dramatic effect on walls and on cavity walls in particular. For example, Celotex states that you will need 165mm of mineral wool insulation which is a 65% […]
Building Regulations change – Part J
We have heard that some eager housebuilders have rushed to beat the Part J (Combustion appliances) deadline. It allowed them to save millions by registering their intention to start before October 1st. That way they gained an extra year before they have to start work under the old rules regardless of project programme length. It […]
Green construction design & supply chain solution
The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), a public private partnership is driving the development of green technologies in the UK to meet its 2050 carbon reduction targets. It has started a 2 year project to identify ways in which refurbishment and retrofitting of existing residential properties can be accelerated by industrialising the processes of design, supply […]
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