The UK government has promised that Britain will be net zero by 2050. And homes are one of the key areas to target. Indeed, buildings accounted for 25 per cent of energy-related CO2 emissions in 2019 in the UK. As a result, the field of green home building is rapidly expanding as we look to cut emissions out of the process. There’ll be plenty of projects being completed from now until 2050 and beyond, making it a good time to run a green construction business. But given the injury risk and potential mistakes involved, it’s worth protecting your business and employees with a builders’ insurance policy. Below, we explore some of the top trends emerging in 2022.
How has the green building been advanced recently?
Green building has been boosted by the government releasing new, ambitious building targets and standards over the last few years. The government announced in 2021 that a new set of standards would be in place for homes from 2025 onwards. This includes low carbon heating, around 75 per cent lower carbon emissions compared to current levels and measures to protect against overheating in residential buildings. Below, we look at some of the trends that will help achieve this.
Top trends
Insulation
Insulation isn’t a new concept. Humans have been looking for effective ways to retain heat in their homes throughout history. But there have been insulation innovations in recent years. Insulated concrete, insulated timber frames and external insulation solutions are just some of the developments that have been made of late.
Passive homes
Passivhaus standards are another recent development for green homes. This is a set of ultra-high building standards that have been adopted by many developers from Germany. By achieving Passivhaus standards, the home you build will produce just 10 per cent of the carbon of a normal home.
Zero carbon
Zero carbon is one of the buzzwords that’s dominating the green homes industry now. It refers to homes that generate as much energy as they use – or at least offset the energy consumed. For homes to keep up with net zero aims, zero carbon objectives will be essential.
Renewable power sources
Renewable power sources are another promising trend in green building. Renewable energy such as solar and wind power can now be connected to homes, providing them with their energy source. This can be a hugely effective way of cutting carbon emissions from homes using energy.
Green building trends will be essential for meeting net-zero targets. And by following the guide above, you should now be familiar with the innovations that could change the industry.
