Low Energy Building Design

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 is referenced as a key aligned act to help implement the changes necessary to adapt our housing strategy to make homes more sustainable in the long term. Scottish Construction follows a stringent sustainability labelling process, introduced in Scotland on 1st May 2011 by the Building Scotland Act.

The Sullivan report published in 2007 has been instrumental in driving current sustainability and zero carbon emissions initiatives in new build housing, setting out the ambitions and pace of change, together with particular emphasis on recognition of the value of energy efficient new buildings to target Net Zero Carbon Emissions. (click here for update to report)

following a specific standard, as sustainability and carbon footprint become more prevalent, it is with that in mind that a number of sustainability standards have been introduced, ranging from Bronze to Platinum as the highest accolade, the standards relate to the efficiency of your home from a sustainability point of view.

factors taken into consideration are resource use based such as air quality monitoring, energy, space and water heating technology, Co2 emission’s and water consumption.

Eight Aspects are generally considered for Silver or above.

1. CO2

2. Energy for thermal comfort / artificial lighting

3. Water Use efficiency

4. Materials and waste

5. Optimising performance

6. Health & well-being

7. Flexibility and adaptability

8. Biodiversity and surface water

Some examples of what may be included are detailed below.

• Wind turbines.

• Water turbines.

• Green roofs

• Heat pumps (all varieties).

• Solar thermal panels.

• Photovoltaic panels (PV).

• Community spaces

• Combined heat and power units.

• Fuel cells.

• Indoor air quality monitoring

• Biomass boilers/stoves and biogas.

• AcousticsAdaptability, such as a space for home office, desk etc, space for wheelchairs, prams or bicycles.

Occupant wellbeing, enhanced noise reduction measures, increased natural light, and improved security.

New Buildings that meet the relevant Section of the Scottish Building Standards 2013, are given a Bronze level label.

Bronze

Awarded for compliance with 2013 Building Standards, this is the basic minimum baseline standards for sustainability levels achieved where the building meets the functional standards set out in the Technical Handbook Sections 1-6.

Bronze Active is awarded where additional initiatives are incorporated to a suitable standard.

The dwelling includes the use of a low and zero carbon generating technology (LZCGT).

Silver -(Delivering Best Practice, optimising performance across a range of areas, incorporating a sliding scale of Initiatives, exceeding Bronze active level)

Gold - (Aimed at more demanding targets, not unachievable, although may be very difficult, development’s in Aberdeen & Glasgow are underway striving to meet the Gold Standard.)

Platinum - (The highest accolade achievable, future proofing your building)

The Labelling enables developers to show there commitment to sustainability, and in doing so attract those seeking improved environmental benefits, Local authority EC directives such as emission reductions contribute to the labelling system, often with incentives for the developer to comply.