The BRE pilot scheme, in partnership with Croudace Homes, will evaluate the impact of net zero homes ahead of the Future Homes Standard
The world-leading building science centre, the Building Research Establishment (BRE), has today announced its partnership with regional residential developer Croudace Homes: the BRE pilot scheme.
The BRE pilot scheme will design, construct and test ten ‘net zero ready’ homes on its strategic site at Willowbrook Park in Didcot.
It is planned that the homes will be built by September 2022, with BRE’s post-occupancy evaluation support to commence for up to 18 months once the legal completion has been approved.
Using a fabric-first approach, the net zero properties will be fitted with modern technologies including air source heat pumps and underfloor heating. This ensures that they are suitable for the Future Homes Standard.
The Future Homes Standard is a proposed standard that will require all new build homes built from 2025 onwards to be future-proofed with high levels of energy efficiency and low-carbon heating. The new homes will form part of a new community developed by Croudace.
BRE pilot scheme: monitoring and evaluating the new ‘net zero ready’ homes against the Future Homes Standard
Once the homes are sold, upon consent of the new owners, BRE will evaluate the buildings’ performance against the Future Homes Standard.
BRE will monitor factors such as their internal environment, energy consumption and their effect on the occupier’s lifestyle.
The BRE pilot scheme will enable both BRE and Croudace to determine how exactly they can meet current challenges without compromising the quality of new housing and customer needs and expectations.
Fundamentally, decarbonising the UK’s housing is pivotal in achieving net zero in the UK. The BRE pilot scheme and similar will enable the housebuilding sector to better understand how to address issues such as energy efficiency and carbon consumption.
‘Decarbonisation is the biggest challenge facing the housebuilding industry in a generation’
Colin Sinclair, associate director, strategic advisory at BRE, said:
“The Future Homes Standard is fast approaching and decarbonisation is the biggest challenge facing the housebuilding industry in a generation. Schemes like the one we are running with Croudace Homes will be paramount to tackling this challenge and building homes that are fit for the future.
“BRE’s expertise and research in the built environment will be essential in the evaluation phase of the project, and we are delighted to be working with Croudace to evaluate a selection of net-zero ready homes – the likes of which could make up the bulk of the UK’s housing stock over the long term.”
Homes with low-carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency
Managing director at Croudace Homes, Adrian Watts, added:
“At Willowbrook Park, Croudace Homes is developing a thriving new community with extensive green spaces, community facilities and footpaths and cycle ways, to create a safe and enjoyable environment in which to live.
“With the introduction of the Future Homes Standard in 2025, Croudace is committed to building new homes that are future-proofed with low-carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency.
“Over the next twelve months, this exciting pilot project at Didcot will not only afford us the opportunity to review the success of our designs and specifications, but it will also enable us to work closely with our supply chain to develop the skills required to meet these standards on all future developments.”
