ECO
Energy companies and housebuilders should be natural partners and green networkers. But relationships remain strained, reports GINETTA VEDRICKAS.
With a staggering one in five households now in debt to their utility provider, according to comparison website uswitch, energy has never been so high on the agenda for housebuilders. Schemes with low cost heating
systems may not only meet government green targets they may also provide a handy marketing tool to attract buyers. In East London, Bellway is in the early stages of transforming a former sink estate, delivering 237 new homes at So Stepney. Since launch last October, the housebuilder confirms ‘robust sales’ to a range of buyers for whom energy is very much an interest. To meet the Code for
Sustainable Homes Level 4, features include green roofs and buildings designed to the Lifetime Homes standard. But, crucially, energy consumption will be reduced by maximising efficiency thanks to centralised energy centres within each block. The community heating system includes a combined heat and power unit that provides a highly efficient heating system while simultaneously generating electricity that is returned to the national grid. “This is one of the most carbon efficient systems available and is well suited to apartment schemes where the residents benefit from lower energy costs and always have hot water on demand,” says a Bellway spokesperson. Bellway’s technical director
Steve Saville says centralised heating systems are increasingly common in inner city schemes. “Thanks to the government’s renewable and sustainability strategy, in large London developments you can’t get away with installing individual gas boilers these days.” However, Saville admits that assessing the popularity for this type of system among buyers is still premature: “Unlike some, we build in as many fail-safes as possible, such as installing water cylinders in each apartment. Then, if the boiler plant goes down at least there is water storage as back up.” British Gas is Bellway’s chosen energy provider. Reports are that the partnership is, so far, successful. But the relationship between housebuilders and utility companies is often problematic says Saville. “We move a lot quicker than the energy companies do, but so far British Gas hasn’t been too bad.” Successful partnerships are good
news but how common are they? Having conducted surveys examining the relationship between energy companies and builders in 2006 and 2008, a 2011 Utilities Survey by the National Federation of Builders found little improvement. Results showed that 70% of
contractors want a single team dealing with applications to improve communications and 70% opposed payment in advance of a service that is not reliable.
showhouse May 2013 | 59
THIS IMAGE: Riverside Quarter in Wandsworth,
London, is being developed by Frasers Property
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