St. Modwen Homes have launched the first affordable carbon negative homes, which are capable of reducing energy bills by 79%
In partnership with British Gas, St. Modwen Homes has launched the trial of two brand new affordable carbon negative homes at its Heathy Wood development in Copthorne.
St. Modwen Homes is making a name for itself as the first major housebuilder to have developed and completed affordable homes of this kind.
The homes are capable of reducing homeowners’ energy bills by 79% and delivering a 125% reduction in CO2 emissions.
British Gas will install the trial homes with the latest Hive Smart Home technology, to aid the energy efficiency of these properties.
Trialling the energy efficiency of these properties
The carbon negative homes are part of a trial that will analyse the results of energy efficiency of the properties over the course of 2022.
The three-bedroom houses will produce more energy than they consume. In fact, they could even reduce a family’s total energy bills by 52% when compared with a standard new build house and around 79% compared with the average UK home.
How have the carbon negative homes been designed?
Built with a timber frame, the foundations have been formed using low-carbon concrete, meaning the embodied carbon has also been reduced from the outset.
The carbon negative homes include simple design improvements to the building fabric, insulation, and ventilation. This has transformed the efficiency of the homes compared to traditional builds – the trial houses are ten times as airtight as industry standards.
Additional features include photovoltaic solar panels, a battery, an electric vehicle charger, an air-source heat pump, a smart hot water tank, heat recovery ventilation and a wastewater heat recovery unit to minimise energy use and reduce emissions.
St. Modwen Homes can also boast that the trial properties are also capable of delivering a 125% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to current standards.
‘Creating energy-efficient homes that are affordable to build is more vital now than it ever has been’
Managing director at St. Modwen Homes, Dave Smith, commented:
“With energy prices continuing to rise, creating energy-efficient homes that are affordable to build is more vital now than it ever has been.
“As an industry leader in using low-carbon modern methods of construction already, we have a responsibility to use this experience to prove that carbon negative houses can significantly cut energy bills and reduce emissions.
“Over the course of this year, we will be analysing the results of this latest trial to aid us in our objective to build these new homes at scale for the benefit of homeowners and the environment.”
The first of the homes were completed in April 2022. Working in partnership with British Gas, the homes will be fitted out with Hive Smart Home technology. This will include elements like a Hive smart thermostat and smart radiator valves to enable the household to control their usage. British Gas has also installed an electric vehicle chargerfor further energy efficiency outside the home.
‘Partnerships like this are an essential part of the UK’s journey towards a decarbonised future’
Jana Siber, managing director at British Gas, added:
“Partnerships like this are an essential part of the UK’s journey towards a decarbonised future. While on a small scale at this stage, we are exploring how we can help customers lower their carbon emissions using smart technology.
“The need to provide carbon neutral homes has never been greater. That’s why we are working with companies like St. Modwen and why we’ve committed to training 3,500 apprentices over the next decade, many of whom will gain specialist green skills to support with the demand that’s coming.”
