32 Road to Net Zero
Road to Net Zero Feature
Integrated into window and door systems, technologies such as digital ID cards and apps can off er a way forward. Quick access to key data through these innovations can provide maintenance teams with the information required while greatly reducing the need for time-consuming inspection or measurement appointments. Instead, expert frame specialists can be quickly contacted via an app, signifi cantly shortening the process and allowing housing associations and local authorities to save money and resources by reducing the number of visits to aff ected properties. REHAU, for example, has developed a new digital technology that encompasses the complete life cycle of a window or door, thereby providing an important link to the “Golden T read” within the Building Safety Act 2022.
FUTURE CONCERNS, CURRENT ACTION Upgrading existing social housing stock is crucial to meet net zero and energy effi ciency targets. With available funding and looming decarbonisation deadlines, the need for action is urgent. Local authority and housing association stakeholders must plan retrofi ts carefully, ensuring each step of specifi c projects is well-informed and cost-eff ective. Replacing key components such as windows and doors is highly technical
and requires adherence to strict regulations and performance criteria. As such, specifi ers are advised to leverage third-party expertise for retrofi tting projects to help bridge knowledge gaps and ease workload burdens for under-pressure local authority and housing association teams with stretched budgets. T is combination of sector knowledge, social housing project experience, and access to high-quality fabricator and authorised partner installer networks is essential for sourcing components that can improve the thermal effi ciency of social homes.
Martin Hitchin is CEO at REHAU UK
Scan the QR Code to download REHAU’s latest report: Retrofi t Right – Making Social Housing More Energy-Effi cient
New Water Effi ciency Standards for UK housing T
he longer-term environmental impact of the UKs water defi cit could cause further damage to the natural environment and
restrict future development. Combining the increasing Per Capital Consumption (PCC) with the UKs growing population means that by 2050 the UK water defi cit is predicted to be 5000 mega litres per day. Future water plans include transporting water
across the country and building new reservoirs. However, 65% of the water defi cit will have to be met by a reduction in consumption. To help achieve this, all major water companies have been set PCC reduction targets of up to 11%. At the recent Waterwise Conference, Helen
Wakenham, Director of Water, Environment Agency stated that water effi ciency ‘should be embedded into the plans we have for housing’. She continued ‘if water effi ciency is embedded in our
homes and our products it becomes easy to do’.
ACHIEVING PCC TARGETS WITH WATER EFFICIENT HOMES OFWAT have recognised that water effi cient homes are the key reduce consumption and have established basic standards for new build homes. T e Common Environmental Incentive includes low volume dual fl ush toilets, low fl ow taps and showers and water effi cient washing machines and dishwashers. However, there are cost eff ective upgrades to
existing properties that reduce consumption and occupiers’ water and energy bills. A whole site fl ow regulator, modulate the
fl ow entering customer premises, so limiting the amount used by the customer. Without a degradation of service or any behavioural change, there is a ‘natural’ reduction in consumption. As these products are fi tted to the main water supply, and not each individual outlet they remove any risk of consumer interference and ensure that minimum standards of water supply are maintained as specifi ed within the Water Industry Act and Water Fittings Regulations.
GROUNDBREAKER – THE HIGH REWARD SOLUTION In any property with a meter Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo can be installed between the water meter and manifold in any water meter enclosure.
Alternatively, and Inline version is available for unmetered properties. Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo has several fl ow
modulation ranges are available which enable the perfect balance between usage reduction and service provision. As an added benefi t, the Groundbreaker’s LoFlo Check Valve systems have the unique property of providing whole site protection against contamination by back fl ow (up to fl uid category 2) as standard, so protecting the water network.
01379 741993
www.groundbreaker.co.uk Housing Management & Maintenance April/May 2025
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