Sustainable Developments & Green Building

Ecological issues have risen in importance recently from fashionable to compulsory, but it is not just about bolting on technology. Ecological design starts with the site, it's location, orientation and topography.

Every building we design is individual and tailored to the site. Construction detailing and low cost changes to the specification can have a huge impact on a buildings carbon footprint.  

The selection of technology is about choosing the right combination for the project to improve the sustainability and reduce running costs of the building.

We work with developers, landlords and property owners to improve the efficiency of their existing or proposed building.

The legislation

The Code for Sustainable Homes

This is a rating system for new build dwellings from 1* to 6*. The current minimum is 3* whilst 6* is zero carbon

We have a track record with developments in planning, on site and completed to Code 3* & 4*, We work closely with other consultants, builders & suppliers to achieve cost effective solutions to meet The Code for Sustainable Homes.

BREEAM (Building Research Establishments Energy Assessment Method)

This is a method of identifying the environmental impact of non residential buildings. We have completed commercial and retail developments attaining ratings of "very good" and further developments due to start in the near future, we are assisting our clients to achieve these targets now.

Design & Specification

Orientation

Designing a building to make the most of the site, it's orientation and window sizes are the first stage of your sustainable building.

Solar Shading

Solar shading can control the amount of light and heat entering a building & reduce glare. It can reduce the need for cooling and air conditioning by maintaining an even temperature despite varying climatic conditions.

The photograph above shows the shading provided by a fixed glazed canopy which still allows light to enter the building.

Solar shading can be incorporated into the design of the building with over hanging eaves (above).

Electronically operated shading allows maximum control by the occupant as shown in the external blinds, above.

Air tight construction

Airtight construction is one of the most important & basic tenents of an energy saving building.

Correct detailing and good workmanship can reduce air leakage by two thirds. Passive Haus design & detailing can reduce this further to less than one tenth.

Natural Ventilation

This can be as simple as opening a window to obtain fresh air. 

In an office environment windows can be opened and closed mechanically, controlled by an environmental management system.

Stack Ventilation takes this a stage further, cool air is brought in at low level and warm air is removed at high level.

In this photograph below, fresh air enters through windows on each floor and the stale warmer air rises through the atrium to the glazed roof, where electrically powered actuators open windows to vent the atrium. In this situation this was connected to a smoke detection system which could manually override and open in the event of a fire. 

Mechanical Ventilation

Heat recovery systems can provide an energy efficient means to heat and ventilate a building particularly in combination with an air tight construction. These provide warm filtered air to the habitable parts of the building whilst removing stale air from humid areas.

A series of ducts extract stale moist air from kitchens, bathrooms and utilities which is then passed through the MVHR unit and ducted to the outside. Fresh air is brought from outside to the MVHR unit where the heat from the stale air is transferred to it before it is ducted to the habitable areas.

Correct specification of the whole system can have an impact on its efficiency.

Lighting

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that the amount of carbon dioxide produced by electric lighting is 3 times more than global aviation emissions. So natural light and the correct selection, specification and controls of electric lighting can have a big impact on a buildings carbon emissioms. 

Water Saving

The Code for Sustainable Homes recommends water usage limitations of 120L per person per day for up to code 3* and 80L per person per day for up to code 6*.

The correct specification of fixtures and fitting is essential to limit water use without affecting lifestyles.

Grey water recycling systems can be fitted in the smallest bathrooms where waste water from baths, showers and basins are used to flush toilets.

Larger systems are available which store water from other uses and rainwater that can be reused in washers, toilets & outside taps.

Renewable Energy

The continued rise in energy bills and concerns about continuity of supplies mean that the demand for renewable energy has never been higher. However, prior to the consideration of renewable energy production, energy saving should be fully explored.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps can be considered in properties that cannot access the gas network as they have the potential to reduce running costs compared with oil, LPG, coal or electric.

Heat pumps are not reliant on the weather and can provide continuous heating for a building.

Heat pumps are generally around 300-400% efficient that is to say, for every unit of electricity used to power the pump 3 to 4 units of heat are created.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Selection of this method is dependant of amount of land available & geology of the site.

If a large amount of land is available then a horizontal loop system can be specified typically laid in trenches approximately 1m deep.

If space is limited then a vertical loop system can be fitted into boreholes between 70 & 100m deep.

These pumps are best used for underfloor heating but can be connected to radiators.

Below is a photograph of hot water storage & controls to ground source heat pumps installed in one of our recent developments.

Air Source Heat Pumps

Where space space is at a premium then Air Source Heat Pumps are popular due to the lack of ground works.

Air handling units are located outside a property and circulate a refrigerant around a system providing heat to the system.

These are best used for underfloor heating but can be connected to radiators.

Solar

Solar electricity, photo voltics or PV. 

These systems capture the sun's energy & convert it into electricity. They work in daylight in any weather and fo not need direct sunshine.

Solar Water Heating or Solar Thermal

These systems capture the sun's energy and use it to heat water which can be used immediatley or stored in a cylinder for later use. These are best connected to underfloor hearing systems.

If you would like advice or assistance with your sustainable development, please contact us for a no obligation chat.

Tel: 01484 424008

Email: tony@farrarbamforth.co.uk