Energy efficiency

The Government has set clear goals for improving heat retention and reducing CO2 emissions within newly constructed houses.

As part of the UK’s commitment to combat climate change, progressive changes are being made to the energy efficiency requirements for new build construction in a drive to reduce carbon emissions. Building Regulations changes, the timelines laid out by the Code for Sustainable Homes, together with the consultations such as the Sullivan Report and CLGs Definition of Zero Carbon, support a progressive improvement in external fabric performance and airtight construction.

Keeping ahead of these regulatory changes, our range of open and closed panel systems offer external wall solutions with U-values ranging from 0.25 to 0.15 W/m2K.

The learning from our Sigma® research is being harnessed by Stewart Milne Timber Systems to ensure that current and future build systems are developed to provide a smooth progression towards ‘Zero Carbon’.

With zero carbon homes requiring more technology than current UK homes, we are keen to understand how technologies need to be simplified to meet the expectations of consumers and ensure that the operation of the home is straightforward and practical. The experience of living in the home will provide us with vital feedback to improve the sustainable design of our homes and to consider the usability of the new technologies.