A zero carbon home is a house that never uses fossil fuels to operate it. Whether the home is buying renewable energy from the grid or producing its own, the source is always sustainable and carbon free.
Building a sustainable, zero carbon home is easier and more achievable than you may think. Zero carbon homes combine an energy efficient building design with smart appliances to help the occupants enjoy reduced running costs, increased comfort, and sets the foundation for a home that will have a high degree of liveability as we move forward to a carbon free economy.
The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a star rating system that scores the thermal comfort of the building fabric, with a star rating between one and ten. It provides designers with important information about the heating and cooling needs of the home, along with how the building fabric interacts with the local environment. Having a skilled thermal comfort assessor is key in delivering a zero carbon home.
Building a future-proof home doesn’t have to cost the earth. Applying every one of net-zero carbon principles may not always be possible; but try to incorporate as many as you can. Doing so will contribute to reducing your build and ongoing costs, while delivering a home that will be healthier and more comfortable to live in.
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