Network - The free AECB newsletter - May 2010
Network - The free AECB newsletter - May 2010 |
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Network is free and distributed to members of the AECB and those who have subscribed to it. If it is passed on or reused, acknowledgment should be given to the information sources directly (newspaper and periodical titles, web site owners, events organisers etc.). Information contained in this mailing does not represent the views or policy of the AECB or the editor, nor does any reference contained herein imply any form of endorsement. |
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If you have any news, events or courses you would like to publicise in Network then please email details to network@aecb.net, or post to Chris Lord-Smith, y Graig, Llidiart-y-Waen, Llanidloes, SY18 6JT. |
AECB 2010 Anniversary ConferenceCelebrating 21 years of the AECB 1st & 2nd October 2010, Wise Building @ CAT This year's conference is focusing on two major areas:
Sessions will be looking at some examples of renovation projects, from fairly basic insulation projects right through to renovation to Passivhaus standard. We plan to follow these presentations with a panel discussion looking at some of the issues raised.
Building to Passivhaus and beyond. A look at examples of actual buildings, domestic and non-domestic. We will be looking at these buildings in some depth, discussing the problems encountered and how they were resolved. Other planned workshops:
Other events include guided tours of the new WISE building and CAT, and of course the AECB's 21st Birthday Party. The opening presentation will be by Paul Allen from the CAT Zero Carbon Britain 10 report, which will be formally launched later this year. New workshops and presentations are still being added to the programme: more information and a booking facility will be available on www.aecb.net later in the month. Check the AECB news area on the forum, and the Conferences area from the main menu. There is a wide range of accommodation available in the area: CAT provides a full list at www.cat.org.uk/visitus/vcindex2.tmpl?sku=VC_06 of local providers. |
AECB Regional Groups
More information on these and all regional group events at http://www.aecb.net/forum/index.php?board=24.0 |
Passivhaus Snowballing In The UK - Three New UK Projects Receive Passivhaus CertificationThe Passivhaus movement in the UK is gathering momentum with WARM's new Passivhaus certification service today (Friday 30th April) certifying three diverse Passivhaus projects. A £1.4 million centre for disability studies in Essex, a £141K detached house in West Yorkshire and private detached house in Camden were all certified today as WARM's first three certified Passivhaus projects, with the endorsement of the Passivhaus Institut in Germany. WARM: Low Energy Building Practice is an independent consultancy, offering a wide range of low energy building services, including training, design, testing and certification. Founded by Peter Warm and Sally Johns, the practice has recently become a registered Passivhaus certifier, following an internship at the Passivhaus Institut in Germany. Passivhaus is fast becoming the byword for quality buildings and year round internal comfort. The projects certified include:
Designed by Simmonds Mills architects (www.simmondsmills.com) for Disability Essex (www.disabilityessex.org), the £1.4 million project aimed to create accessible and cost-effective offices, training rooms and meeting space for the organisations' staff and clients. Built using an externally insulated masonry frame, using AECB gold detailing, the building has projected annual heating bills of £300 (for a 550m2 building). The project received support from the East of England Development Agency and has been rated BREEAM Excellent.
Designed by bere:architects (www.bere.co.uk), the timber frame [circa.120m2 ] two bedroom home has predicted annual heating bills of well under £100. This is achieved by 380mm of insulation, negative psi values throughout (no cold bridging), triple glazing, Passivhaus sliding windows, draught free construction, and 92% efficient heat recovery ventilation consuming only 15 watts of power in extract and supply. Summer temperatures are controlled by blinds, a well insulated structure, and two green roofs.
Designed and built by Green Building Store (www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk) 's construction division, Green Building Company, the Denby Dale Passivhaus is a [circa.120m2 ] three-bed detached house built for private clients for their retirement. Built for £141K, the project is the first cavity wall Passivhaus in the UK and has projected heating costs of again well less than £100 a year. Green Building Store's Ecopassiv windows, heat recovery ventilation and airtightness products were used. WARM is currently involved with a number of other projects working towards Passivhaus certification, including social housing schemes, large residential developments, schools, community centres and retrofit proposals. Peter Warm has over 30 years' experience and knowledge in low energy design. WARM: Low Energy Building Practice, 7 The Crescent, Plymouth, PL1 3AB. 01752 542 546 info@peterwarm.co.uk www.peterwarm.co.uk |
Cumbrian Businesses Providing Solutions For Low Carbon Conversions Of Traditional Local Buildings.Although there is an increasing focus on sustainable solutions for new buildings, there are few examples of high quality refurbishment / conversion projects that achieve a true "green? status - until now. Work has just started on a site near Bampton in the heart of Lake District on a low carbon renovation of a historic farmhouse with the associated conversion of the adjoining barn and byre. The proposals have been drawn up by Kendal based Architect Bob O'Neil of O'Neil Associates and is being implemented on site by local building contractor Matthew Nielsen of Nielsen's Limited. Once complete, the finished buildings will incorporate cutting edge renewable technology to enable them to be completely "off-grid? and are being viewed as an exemplar project with visits at regular stages throughout construction by architecture students from the University of Central Lancashire. The annual carbon emissions are estimated to be 70% lower than would be produced by a conventional renovation and conversion project complying with current Building Regulations. Low carbon product solutions from "The Green Building Site". The specification includes
Anyone who is interested in following the progress of the project can follow the regular updates, photos and videos which will be available at the facebook pages linked to www.oneil-associates.co.uk and www.TheGreenBuildingSite.co.uk |
A Very British PassivhausGreen Building Store adapts Passivhaus design to British building techniques with the UK's first cavity wall Passivhaus. Green Building Store has succeeded in adapting the Passivhaus approach to British traditional building methods - by creating the first certified Passivhaus in the UK to use traditional cavity wall construction. The Denby Dale Passivhaus project in West Yorkshire has today (Friday 30th April 2010) received its official Passivhaus certification. The project - built by Green Building Store's construction division Green Building Company - has pioneered the combination of low energy Passivhaus methodology with standard British cavity wall construction and building materials. Passivhaus design originated in the 1990s in Germany and there are now over 10,000 certified Passivhaus buildings in the world. Typically, Passivhaus buildings are built using timber-frame construction or block work wall with external render. As well as using materials from a local builder's merchant, specialist materials for the project were sourced from Green Building Store's range of Passivhaus products (including windows, airtightness tapes and membranes, cavity wall ties and MVHR systems). Green Building Store launched its Passivhaus range early in 2009 to help facilitate the uptake of Passivhaus design in the UK. For more information on the Denby Dale Passivhaus and to register for a free technical briefing, go to: www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk/denbydalehouse |
Subsidised Training Available For Delegates From The SEEDA RegionPlease note: As part of their Gateway to SusCon project, SEEDA (South East England Development Agency) is offering a rebate of £200/£400 per person for delegates from the South-East Region*, on the Understanding Passivhaus (one day) and Using PHPP (two day) courses respectively. This applies to these events in all locations, enabling you to select the most convenient dates. *(Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex only) To be eligible you must live one of the counties listed OR YOUR business must be actually based in one of the counties. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REBATES APPLY ONLY TO INDIVIDUALS OR SME BUSINESSES. Delegates who think they may qualify should contact sally@aecb.net for further information on claiming this rebate. |
The Green Business Awards - 2010The Green Business Awards are the pinnacle of achievement, and, in the words of a memorable ad campaign, they do exactly what they say on the tin. Rightly then, winning a Green Business Award "Green Globe" is relatively as great an achievement as winning an "Oscar" is to the film industry. The Green Business Awards will be the only real benchmark of excellence in the UK in 2010 with an entry process and evaluation system devised by ENDS and the editorial team of Management Today. They are an opportunity for large corporations, SMEs and smaller companies to participate and be judged fairly through the use of both detailed metrics and an experienced and diverse judging panel. Award categories have been refreshed and grouped into sections around carbon management, environmental management, change champions and green business development, making them relevant to all types of organisation, irrespective of size or type of operation. Entries and tickets helpline: 020 82674161 or alessandra.zorzato@haymarket.com Visit www.greenbusinessawards.com for more information |
Home Energy Efficiency Has Mass Market Appeal, Says ReportA year-long study into improving the energy efficiency of homes concludes that there is a mass market in the UK ready and waiting to be tapped. The 21st Century Living Project, a collaboration between DIY retailer Homebase, The Eden Project, Acona and the Universities of Surrey and Plymouth, gave 100 nationally representative homes £500 to spend on environmental improvements and surveyed the participants on their actions, the outcomes and any practical problems they faced. Over 80% of households took at least one energy-saving measure over the course of the scheme, saving 10% on average. And it wasn't just green-minded middle class households that got involved; in fact, lower income groups on average took the most action. Swapping inefficient incandescent light bulbs for low-energy alternatives and improving or installing loft insulation were the most popular actions for over half of participants. And nearly a quarter replaced white goods for more efficient models. Interestingly, the gift of £500 led to over 60% of households spending £500 or more of their own money on energy efficiency measures. But moving beyond simple measures proved more difficult. Only 11% of participants installed cavity wall insulation, with over half of efforts failing because of a lack of response from providers or advise that installation would be too difficult or make homes damp. Many participants said they would be interested in installing small-scale renewables, but were put off by the expense and a lack of specific, independent advice and recommendations. Information is key to the success of greening homes, says the report. Tailored advice is vital and many participants responded positively to thermal imaging of their homes. Electricity energy monitors also worked well driving changes in behaviour, says the report, and could easily be made standard for all homes. But most of all, the report calls for an overhaul of utility bills to provide information in a standard format that can be easily compared to past consumption to show the results of taking energy efficiency measures. According to the report, project staff were unable to get hold of simple data to indicate whether households in the scheme were cutting their energy use. "The average householder stands no chance," says the report. For further information go to http://21stcenturyliving.edenproject.com/ |
Higher Bills And Privacy Worries Will Deter Customers From Smart MetersUtilities and governments around the globe are starting major efforts to rollout smart meters to homes but concerns about potentially higher bills and privacy issues will need to be addressed to guarantee success, warns a new report. The report, Understanding Consumer Preferences in Energy Efficiency, from consultants Accenture is based on a survey of over 9100 individuals from 17 countries. While the report found that some consumers would be willing to consider electricity management plans - where suppliers actively help consumers improve their energy efficiency by remotely limiting the use of certain household appliances - they would only do so in return for significant price discounts of up to 20%. Despite the fact that electricity management plans are aimed at reducing usage, and therefore cost, 46% of survey respondents said they would be discouraged from taking up the plans over worries about increased bills. A third of those surveyed also said they would be worried about giving their electricity supplier access to their personal consumption data. Suppliers will also have to address the fact that less than a third of respondents (29%) trust them to provide reliable advice on how to improve their energy efficiency, with just over half preferring to go to environmental or academic associations. For further information go to www.accenture.com |
UK Government Launches Consultation On Low-Carbon SkillsThe UK Government yesterday opened its long-awaited consultation document on improving low-carbon skills amid criticism that the country's workforce is not up to the anticipated expansion in nuclear power, renewables or zero-carbon buildings. The document, produced jointly by the Departments of Energy and Climate Change and for Business, Innovation and Skills, sets out the challenge and seeks views to address it. The Government says that it recognises that there is already activity at local, regional and national levels to provide low-carbon skills and career opportunities, but more effort will be needed to realise their full potential. Skills for a Low Carbon and Resource Efficient Economy includes plans for co-funding of up to 2500 apprenticeships in the wind energy sector, as well as the Government's recently announced commitment to co-fund 1000 apprenticeships in the nuclear energy sector. It also brings together existing initiatives to encourage students to study science, engineering and maths and the recently announced National Skills Academy for Power in the Midlands. However, a number of recent reports from the Aldersgate Group, the parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee and the Royal Academy of Engineering have questioned whether the UK's workforce is positioned to take advantage of the burgeoning low-carbon economy. The country's current lack of necessary skills could put the Government's plans for ramping up nuclear power and improving the energy efficiency of the country's homes and buildings off track, warn critics. For further information go to www.decc.gov.uk |
UK Carbon Reduction Commitment Comes Into Force Amid 'Confusion'The UK Government's Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC EES), which requires large public and private sector organisations to improve energy efficiency, comes into forces today amid 'confusion'. Under the scheme, around 5000 organisations will be required to monitor and record their emissions. Participants in the scheme will have to purchase emission allowances, but will receive the purchase price back plus a bonus if they improve their efficiency. But those organisations that fail to improve will be penalised. But nearly half of the businesses affected by the CRC EES don't know how to forecast their CO2 emissions or purchase carbon allowances, according to npower's annual survey, the Business Energy Index (nBEI), published yesterday. The Government has fixed allowances at £12 per tonne of CO2 initially, but businesses that fail to buy enough will have to top them up under the scheme's safety valve' mechanism or on the open market at a higher price. The survey also finds that 44% of survey respondents have no plans to take advantage of the scheme's 'early action' incentives, which reward participants to installing measures such as smart meters quickly. But the economic downturn could be an aide to the scheme, with nearly 70% of businesses surveyed saying that they are likely to install energy efficiency measures over the coming year in a bid to reduce costs. The Government maintains that the scheme will drive down CO2 emissions by at least 4.4 million tonnes a year by 2020 and save participating organisations a total of around £1 billion in annual energy costs. Recently, the Government also unveiled plans setting out how each department will reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. The Carbon Reduction Delivery and Adaptation Plans cover all aspects of government department policies, operations and estates. For further information go to www.decc.gov.uk/crc |
100% Renewables Achievable By 2050 According To ReportA report by the European Renewable Energy Council explains how the European Union could switch to a 100% renewable energy supply for electricity, heating and cooling and transport by 2050. The report, Re-thinking 2050, launched earlier this week in the European Parliament examines how the EU's carbon emissions could be cut by more than 90% by switching to 100% renewables, and provides a roadmap for achieving this with the different available technologies. The report concludes that the economic and social costs of achieving the switch significantly outweigh the investment involved. Renewable electricity, particularly from wind and PV is expected to be the highest contributor to achieving the target, with an increase from 10% renewables in 2020 to 41% by 2050 predicted by EREC. Heating and cooling will continue to be the biggest sector in terms of final energy demand, but use of renewables in this sector could increase from 21% in 2020 to 45% in 2050 according to the report. Transport however, remains a challenge, though even here significant shifts from 3% renewables in 2020 to around 10% in 2050 are feasible, claims EREC. Go to www.rethinking2050.eu/fileadmin/documents/Rethinking2050ExecutiveSummary_final.pdf |
Europe Can Move To Low-Carbon Energy Supply Without RisksEurope can move to low-carbon energy sources without risking reliable supply or increasing bills for consumers, according to a new report. The European Climate Foundation (ECF), in collaboration with other experts including McKinsey, Imperial College London and Oxford Economics, says that cost-effective low- or zero-carbon power is feasible without relying on future technology breakthroughs. The report, Roadmap 2050: a practical guide to a prosperous, low-carbon Europe, claims that an energy supply for Europe based largely on renewables would not suffer from reliability issues and would have little impact on the cost of producing electricity over the next 40 years. Many of the widely held assumptions about low- or zero-carbon energy supply, such as high cost and intermittency, are outdated, says the report. Low- or zero-carbon energy supplies may require higher capital investment, for example, but have lower long-term operating costs. The report looks at a range of scenarios with varying levels of renewables, with nuclear and fossil fuel power stations fitted with carbon capture and storage technology making up the remainder. All the scenarios are possible, says the report, but higher levels of renewables will rely the UK and other EU member states instigating energy efficiency measures to reduce demand and supporting the development of a European electricity 'supergrid'. There also has to be a major investment drive for low-carbon technologies and the phasing out of high-carbon options, of course, but the potential benefits massively outweigh the challenges, says the report. For further information go to www.roadmap2050.eu/ |
Carbonlite Training: Book Now For Last Few Bristol Places**Subsidy available for some delegates** Places are still available on the following CarbonLite Training Courses to be held in Bristol this month. Book now to secure a place on these popular courses:
Online booking and detailed information on each course is available to download at: www.carbonlite.org.uk/carbonlite/training.php Please note: As part of the SEEDA Gateway to SusCon project, a rebate of £200/£400 per person is available for delegates booking from the South-East Region* on the Understanding Passivhaus (one day) and Using PHPP (two day) courses respectively. *(Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex only) To be eligible you must live one of the counties listed OR YOUR business must be actually based in one of the counties. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REBATES APPLY ONLY TO INDIVIDUALS OR SME BUSINESSES. Delegates who think they may qualify should contact sally@aecb.net for further information on claiming this rebate. |
Open Day of the MSc Architecture, Advanced Energy and Environmental Studies - 10th MayDistance Learning, Graduate School of the Environment, Centre for Alternative Technology The MSc Architecture, AEES by DL are holding their (second) Open Day at CAT on Monday 10 May 2010, and you will be welcome to join us! It's not so much a normal university open day, more of a get-together for networking and mutual sharing. Current students will be having tours, lectures and workshops, and friends and possible future students will be able to join them as well as talking to staff, networking and generally seeing what we are all about. Drinks and snacks will be provided in the all-day networking room. The day will be from 9.30 to 6, and you'll be free to come and go as you please. If you are likely to wish to come, could you please let us know as soon as possible, by contacting the Student Support Officers at distance.learning@cat.org.uk or 01654 703065 Ex 27, and they will give you more details. |
A Breakfast CPD On The Updates To Part G Of The Building Regulations - May 25th, 8.45 - 10.00 am£25 per delegate plus VAT Updates to Part G of the Building Regulations came into force on April 6th 2010. For the first time ever the Regulations will address water efficiency with a maximum allowable amount of 125 litres of wholesome water per person per day in dwellings. But this is not the only change. The document has increased in size from 14 to 43 pages and also covers cold water supply, hot water supply and systems, sanitary conveniences and washing facilities, bathrooms, and kitchen and food preparation areas. This workshop will highlight the important changes to Part G so that your architectural practice is fully up to speed with the legal requirements. By the end of the CPD delegates will be able to:
The workshop will be presented by Cath Hassell. Registration is from 8.30 am. Tea and coffee will be provided. Call 020 7729 2819 or email info@ech2o.co.uk to book a place. |
All-Energy UK, 19th - 20th May 2010 - AberdeenThe All-Energy UK Exhibition & Conference is Europe's largest event devoted to all forms of clean and renewable energy. First run in 2001, the show has grown steadily since and the 2010 edition will be the tenth in the annual series. For visitors, admission to the exhibition and conference is free of charge to all with a professional interest in renewable/sustainable energy. Please see the visitor profile for more information For exhibitors, All-Energy is highly relevant to companies actively involved in all areas of the renewable energy industry - wind (onshore and offshore), wave, tidal, hydro, hydrogen and fuel cells, solar and bioenergy (biomass, biofuel, biogas). These companies come from both sides of the "buying/selling fence". For companies eager to become involved in the renewable energy industry for the first time - take a look at the exhibitor profile section to see just what is needed by the offshore wind industry alone! Go to www.all-energy.co.uk for more information. |
Kindling Business Enthusiasm For Wood Fuel In WalesBusiness owners can find out about the incentives and funding available for wood fuelled heating systems, small-scale electricity generation and wood fuel supply at a series of free events in May. The Wood Energy - Fuel for Thought seminars in Denbighshire, Conwy, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil and Monmouthshire have been organised by Forestry Commission Wales's EU-funded Wood Energy Business Scheme (WEBS). The seminars will give owners of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and community groups an insight into the technologies that use wood to provide renewable heating and generate electricity, along with information on the funding available from Forestry Commission Wales. Experts from Wales's developing biomass marketplace will share their knowledge and experience with delegates at the seminars. Businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint through the use of a clean, sustainable local fuel will find the biomass heating options of particular interest. Woodland owners and firms involved in wood processing can learn about the cost-saving options of using wood off-cuts to fuel their own premises or supply others with fuel. The events run from 5pm-7pm and will include a tour of a working, wood fuelled heating system and plenty of opportunities to network. Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government, WEBS will support up to 41% of the cost of such carbon-reducing initiatives, with a total of £7.8 million available to SMEs in Wales. Though the scheme, an expected 38,000 tonnes of CO2 will be saved per year. For details of the seminars, please visit www.forestry.gov.uk/woodenergywales or call 0300 068 0042. |
Funding Renewables 1st June 2010Bringing finance and projects together, Allen and Overy, ONE Bishops Square, London. E1 6AD. Demand for renewable energy is being driven forward by national and local government, by companies seeking to offset their obligations under the CRC Scheme, by energy suppliers seeking to meet increasingly onerous renewables and pricing obligations and by an ever-widening range of end-users. Despite the downturn, despite Copenhagen and despite government u-turns, investment in renewable power is still taking place. But it is not yet at the same level it was in 2007 and it is not yet near the level needed to enable the UK to meet its renewable energy commitments in 2020. Go to www.fundingrenewables.co.uk for more information. |
The Road to Zero Carbon - Tuesday 15th June 2010A major one-day conference on low and zero carbon buildings. 9.30am - 4.30pm The Town Hall, Reading, Berkshire. Fee: £180 plus vat (£211.50) This is another opportunity to attend this highly rated conference which first ran in Bristol in February. The construction and use of buildings contribute nearly half of the UK's CO2 emissions, which the UK has a legally binding target to reduce to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. As a result the Government has set targets to significantly reduce the greenhouse emissions from all buildings. All new buildings will need to be zero carbon within a decade as Building Regulations progressively tighten, starting with a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions for all new buildings in October 2010, while CO2 emissions from existing buildings need to be approaching zero by 2050. We are seeing a move from demonstration projects, such as those at the BRE Innovation Park, to an increasing number of real world low and zero carbon buildings being built, demonstrating that, contrary to claims it is too expensive or can't be done, it is possible to achieve significant reductions in carbon emissions from buildings. This conference will showcase some of the best of these real world low and zero carbon projects, with a strong focus on the steps and measures taken to achieve these reductions in CO2 and the impact it had on the construction process. Delegates will be provided with a unique opportunity to learn from those at the leading edge of compliance with this fast approaching standard. The conference is targeted at the construction sector in its broadest sense, including the construction industry & professionals, such as architects, designers, surveyors & engineers, developers, housebuilders, construction firms & builders, housing associations, consultants, clients, local authority officers & councillors, regional & national government & agencies This conference is one of a series of events organised by Ecos Trust To book, visit the seminars and conferences pages at www.ecostrust.org.uk. Or contact Corina Reay corina@ecostrust.org.uk 01458 254349. |
Wastewater Management And The Application Of Constructed Wetlands 22nd - 24th June 2010Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, UK Experts in wetland technologies from across the globe will explore the use and development of constructed wetlands, building on present experience and academic research, to meet and resolve current and future regulatory and water quality issues. For more information contact Clare Hunter - email ClareHunter@aquaenviro.co.uk phone 01924 257891 or visit www.aquaenviro.co.uk |
Bristol Green Doors - 11th - 12th SeptemberBristol Green Doors will show how homes and lifestyle can be made fit for the future and how community resilience contributes to it. The UK has a target of reducing CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050. 27% of our current CO2 emissions come from our homes. Lowering domestic fossil fuel based energy consumption is therefore critical. Bristol Green Doors is a unique and replicable online directory mapping the sustainable improvements and enabling networking. It is also an Open homes weekend. Both support social learning. On September 11- 12th visitors will be able to see and discuss the retrofits, renewable installations, water management systems and other energy efficiency approaches with home owners or tenants. It is an official Heritage Open Day and will complement Bristol Doors Open Day. The Open Weekend will work with clusters of homes centred around hubs such community centres or libraries which will back the event before and after with publicity, displays, energy advice etc providing a stimulating, local context for each neighbourhood. Bristol knows about Doors Open Day and Art Trails, it will understand Green Doors. Easily. We are aiming for 100 homes to be open on the day and over 300 homes participating in the website by the end of 2010. Homes will be recruited through partner organisations' networks, Transition Bristol (and similar) neighbourhood groups, renewable energy installers and publicity. If anyone living in the Bristol area wishes to open up their house to the public then please contact Kate Watson at kate@bristolgreendoors.org |
Forthcoming CarbonLite Training Course Dates**Subsidy available for some delegates**
This course is aimed at the design team who are working towards AECB or Passivhaus Design Standards and providing low energy buildings. It introduces the principles behind the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) so that designers understand how this low energy design software will analyse their designs to a more stringent level that is currently done in the UK.
This practical hands-on course will provide energy consultants, technical building designers and architects with the skills necessary to design low energy and CO2 buildings to AECB standards using the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP). Delegates will need to bring a laptop pre-loaded with a copy of the PHPP software for this course.
Find out how to minimise the effect of thermal bridging when designing low energy and CO2 buildings to AECB standards. This course shows attendees how to use free numerical modelling software on a number of practical examples. For further information and to book visit www.carbonlite.org.uk/carbonlite/training.php or contact sally@aecb.net |
HHP Master Class: The Practicalities Of Delivering Zero Carbon Homes - 13th MayHHP is running its ever popular zero carbon master class again on Thursday 13 May at its zero carbon venue in the Midlands. This workshop will help you to understand more about the challenge of zero carbon housing and to learn more about the practical, low tech, low cost and proven (through 11 years of post occupancy data monitoring) approach taken by HHP to build its own zero carbon development, and many other individual homes they have designed and/or built. This event will be of particular interest to developers, self-builders, landowners, planners, architects, buildings services engineers, and other building professionals. Go to www.hockertonhousingproject.org.uk for details on this and other courses. |
Straw Bale Building, Mon 31 May - Fri 4th June - CATLed by 'Amazonails' Strawbale building experts this course will look at the history and use of straw bale buildings, different techniques, planning considerations and how to build. There will be practical workshops on the load bearing method, plaster and render preparation, and lime and earth finishes. The Centre for Alternative Technology has a comprehensive range of courses for self builders, builders and home owners. We have been running Green Building, Sustainable Water, Sewage Solutions and Renewable Energy courses for over 35 years and use expert tutors who are not only inspiring and keep well informed of new technologies but also work practically in their specialist areas. To find out more about our range of courses please visit our website at www.cat.org.uk/shortcourses |
Recent Publications From IHS BRE Press
ISBN: 978-1-84806-132-3 This information paper describes the background to the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and its position within the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. It outlines the SAP calculation process and the information required, with a comparison chart summarising the key differences between SAP, the Building Research Establishment domestic energy model (BREDEM) and Reduced-data SAP (RdSAP). An explanation of SAP terminology and energy performance certificates is provided, as well as a glossary and useful tips section. It also includes a comparison chart summarising the key differences between SAP, BREDEM and RdSAP.
ISBN: 978-1-84806-134-7 There is increasing interest in sustainable development, 'zero-carbon' buildings and use of local, renewable, recycled and low-embodied-energy materials in construction. Cost considerations and ease of construction tend to dictate foundation choice. This may not always result in the most sustainable option. This Information Paper presents a review of the sustainability agenda, details influences on current foundation practice, discusses methodologies for assessing the sustainability of foundations and presents best practice guidance. Although some of the points discussed are relevant to foundations in general, this paper principally deals with the foundations of low-rise buildings, and housing in particular. For more information or to order ring01344 328038, email brepress@ihs.com or visit www.brebookshop.com |
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