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EXPERT COMMENT
Younger buyers are de nitely more eco-conscious, as they are more worried about climate change and the impact on the environment. But also, if rst time buyers buy these sorts of homes, they will save money in the long run, so it makes sense from a sustainability point of view and a cost point of view. We are hoping for savings of well over 50%, possibly to 80%, but we will need to work with the owner and understand their energy usage.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES TO CREATE ENERGY-EFFICIENT NEW HOMES This year, in 2025, is when we finally see legislation coming into force, the Future Homes Standard (FHS), which intends to “revolutionise UK new builds”.This new standard for newly built properties aims to slash carbon emissions by 75-80% and will prioritise low-carbon heating, with the emphasis on creating super-insulated, energy-efficient homes. This ambitious standard requires industry innovation to create comfortable, sustainable homes for the future. ENERGY SAVING HOMES ON THE MARKET Anticipating the FHS coming into force this year, many housebuilders have already been installing energy-efficient measures within their new build projects around the UK. Dandara’s sustainability manager, Jonathan Cheng, explains that the energy crisis is another reason why the housebuilder is trying to find alternative technology to install within its new homes, “The country is amid an energy crisis pushing up household bills for consumers. As a responsible housebuilder, we have an opportunity to tackle it head-on with our developments. We are currently working with several suppliers to find alternative technologies that help lower the costs for consumers in the day-to-day running of their homes as we transition away from traditional gas boilers in line with the proposed Future Homes Standard.” At Dandara’s Oakwood Place in Berkshire, for example, all homes for sale include energy-efficient features such as solar panels, electric vehicle charging points, plus a wastewater heat recovery system. Four and five bedroom homes start
integration of fitted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and enhanced loft insulation. Homes start from £175,000. worthingfields.co.uk Complications can arise when converting older-style buildings and trying to make them more energy efficient, explains Simon Vernon-Harcourt, design and planning director at City & Country, “In conversion projects, energy efficiency can without a doubt prove far more challenging than building new, as there is a balance between retaining a building’s history and improving its energy efficiency. In our conversions, we look at adding insulation in floors, walls and roofs where we are confident it will not damage the historic fabric or character.We also look carefully at airtightness, as unlike modern buildings where you want to create a sealed controlled environment, historic buildings are often built to breathe and rely on drafts and gaps to take condensation away.”The 1840 St George’s Gardens, in south west London, is a collection of apartments set within an iconic Grade II listed building which was once a hospital. Prices start at £435,000 for a one bedroom apartment. cityandcountry.co.uk At Barratt David Wilson Homes’ Clipstone Park in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, three and four bedroom homes are all rated EPC A or B, and include A-rated condensing boilers, low heat-loss hot water cylinders that ensure water stays hotter for longer, plus water saving features and fittings which can help save up to 25 litres of water a day per person. The homes also have argon-filled double glazing, flue gas heat recovery, PV panels and a wastewater heat recovery system. Three bedroom homes start from £384,995. barratthomes.co.uk
Steve Macdonald, Business Director, Haier UK & Ireland
EXPERT COMMENT
The Future Homes Standard is introducing signi cant changes to the way we build that uplift housing standards. Our priorities as a business are to reduce carbon emissions, introduce renewable energy solutions, improve fabric ef ciency through greater levels of insulation and minimise heat loss throughout our new build homes. The industry is improving; modern methods of construction, biodiversity net gain and carbon footprint assessments are key drivers to improving homes, and as a responsible housebuilder we want to
create spaces that last not just for years but for generations.
Greg Roberts, Design Director, Croudace
EXPERT COMMENT
from £550,000. dandara.com
Technology offers huge potential to improve sustainability, but we need to ensure it works for the homeowner and is a blessing, not a headache. Wherever possible, we connect the building to a communal or district heating system. We also use app-controlled smart technology to individually control area heating and synchronise heating with when residents are in the buildings.
And energy-efficient technology isn’t always
confined to new build homes. Housebuilder Annington has “lightly refurbished” some older- style houses at Worthing Fields, Swanton Morley, in Dereham, which have now been brought up to an EPC C rating.The homes formerly housed officers serving in the Armed Forces, and, now for sale on the open market, they have been upgraded with low-energy light fittings installed throughout. Other upgrades include
Simon Vernon- Harcourt, Design & Planning Director, City & Country
First Time Buyer February/March 2025 93
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