Zero-carbon housing
Housebuilders Steward Milne have announced a zero-carbon house, according to the FT.
“Unveiling its four- bedroomed demonstration house yesterday the Aberdeen-based company said achieving green status added £20,000 to its cost, mainly because of the micro-renewable equipment needed. But it expects this differential to fall after production levels increase.
The house, designed with PRP, the architects, is designed to emit almost no carbon in the use of water and lighting.
High insulation will be combined with low-energy appliances, a home office and cycle store to reduce car travel.
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Water-saving devices will be used, with bath and shower water collected to flush the toilets. Butts will collect rainwater for the garden.
The government has specified that all new homes should be zero-carbon within a decade. Its new Code for Sustainable Homes will give ratings, with the maximum six-star rating going to absolute zero-carbon designs.”