New technology heating simplifies the green debate

© Süka Electro Heating Systems

It’s calculated that nearly half of the UK’s carbon emissions are produced by buildings. That may surprise some people, especially as it’s almost twice that

attributed to cars and planes.

According to Dr Brenda Boardman in Home Truths (2007), 65 per cent of household energy consumption is for space heating, 22 per cent for hot water and 13 per cent for lights and appliances. The way a building is constructed, insulated, heated and ventilated, and the type of fuel used, all contribute. Improved techniques and innovations with materials mean that we are able to build ‘greener’ buildings from now on but the problem arises with the stock of old, inefficient buildings. It’s reckoned that 87 per cent of the existing housing

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G4 DEFENCE

stock will still be standing in 2050. Dr Boardman states that when demand for energy has been reduced as much as is feasibly possible (using efficient systems), the remaining carbon savings can be delivered through the installation of less carbon intensive technologies for space and water heating, or that generate electricity (such as solar pv) or heat, on or in the building.

It leads to questions and debates such as whose responsibility is it to make sure things improve and who pays for what? Well, the reality is that it’s the responsibility of everyone to do something but the onus is very much on the builder and the Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48