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PIONEERING VELUX HOMES REWRITE ZERO CARBON RULES


Think zero carbon in the context of new homes and it’s more than likely you will envisage a property with small windows and hermetically sealed environment. VELUX’s CarbonLight Homes, however, represent a move away from this trend and instead promote a new, exciting formula for low carbon living; one that fuses energy efficiency with an innovative design that promotes occupants’ quality of life.


in developing sustainable homes for the future that respond to the local conditions in which they are built. The CarbonLight Homes have been designed to achieve a 70% reduction in carbon emissions with 30% offset by energy effi ciency improvements to existing local housing in the borough. This enables them to meet the Government’s latest defi nition of zero carbon which all housebuilders will have to build to in 2016. As well as achieving a signifi cant energy reduction,


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the homes aim to promote good health and occupant wellbeing using increased light and ventilation which can help to counter problems that can stem from enclosed environments, such as respiratory illnesses and Vitamin D defi ciencies. The CarbonLight Homes have been designed with a


minimum average daylight factor of 5%, which means they have three times better daylight quality than the current requirements for new homes. A triple height atrium and fi rst fl oor mezzanine, as well as serving as attractive focal points of the homes, allow more light to fl ood in through the roof windows, reducing the need for electric lighting.


he two semi detached properties in Rothwell, Kettering, form part of VELUX’s European wide project called Model Home 2020 which will help


Energy bills are intended to be kept to a minimum


in the CarbonLight Homes. While natural ventilation and screening keep the buildings cool in summer, the solar hot water system and air source heat pumps generate hot water and keep a warm temperature in cooler months. An intelligent home control system has also been


installed in the homes, helping to reduce carbon emissions and regulating the homes’ indoor temperature so it remains comfortable year-round. Windows can be opened at a pre-arranged time while a climate control system tracks weather changes and opens and closes windows and blinds accordingly. To demonstrate how the homes will operate in


a real-life environment two test families are being recruited to test-drive the CarbonLight Homes for a year. Through a combination of their feedback and computer recordings, VELUX will measure the quality of the indoor environment and performance, including energy and water use, temperature, air quality and daylight levels. This information will help in identifying areas where the homes fall short and helping to ensure that the homes of the future are sustainable in the truest sense.


For further information visit: www.velux.co.uk/modelhome2020


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