SELFBUILDER SURVEY: BUILDING A GREENER HOME
capture the heat from warm bath or shower waste water as it drains away – are also growing in prominence, with both soon to be required as part of the FHS. Aligned with building a greener home, enhancing biodiversity has also become an important element of any project. Although exempt from mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements, some self-builders still opt for measures that improve biodiversity such as bird or bat boxes, bee bricks, restorative planting, general shrub and tree planting, green roofs or Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS). To gain a better insight into this expansive subject The
Selfbuilder commissioned a survey, conducted by Find Out Now, of people currently undertaking a self-build or major renovation, with the aim of better understanding their priorities, motivations and experiences. s the demand for energyeffi cient and environmentally responsible homes continues to grow, it’s important to gain insights from those undertaking projects. The survey explored how important sustainability is to self- builders and renovators and the types of measures they’re using, as well as those which perhaps have a lower uptake than ideal. It also delved into what their key motivations are – whether that be environmental, fi nancial or related to health and comfort. We also asked self-builders whether they consider their project
overall to be a ‘low carbon build’ – which surprisingly only 25% of respondents said they do. As well as gaining important insights into the ‘hows’, ‘whys’ and why nots, the research also aimed to fi nd out what the most common challenges are, such as cost considerations and budget restraints, access to reliable information and confi dence in emerging technologies. The survey also asked how individuals are addressing biodiversity
within their projects, to gauge how many are recognising the importance of nature positive design and its connection to a project’s overall impact on the environment. he fi ndings help build a clearer picture of whats driving
self-builders and the most popular measures and methods, as well as what’s holding them back. Gaining an insight into where there are gaps in knowledge and what the biggest barriers are is important in order to put the right support, education and measures in place to increase the vital uptake of sustainable solutions.
THE FINDINGS
While the importance of sustainability is increasingly understood, putting it into practice is not always as straightforward. Much of sustainable building relies on using new technologies, and trust in these systems can take time to build – particularly among consumers who don’t work in the industry. New technologies also naturally often come with a higher price tag, which can be a problem for self-builders or renovators who are led by a strict budget. Nevertheless, its undoubtedly signifi cant to those building a home or renovating their existing home. When asked how important sustainability is in their project, a combined 64% of respondents said it’s either ‘very important’ or ‘moderately important’, and a further 14% went one step further to say it’s ‘extremely important’. While it’s easy for us all to recognise the importance of building sustainably, it’s another thing to be proactive about it when the
opportunity arises. It’s therefore reassuring that so many self- builders are actually prioritising sustainability in their own projects, and not just ‘thinking about it’.
Methods & measures We then asked respondents what measures they’re undertaking to improve the sustainability of their project, offering them a list and asking them to select all that apply. The most popular option by an overwhelming majority was insulation, which 60% of respondents selected.
his is not hugely surprising, with the benefi ts of insulation having been well documented and understood for years and the effectiveness of products on the market having increased over time. Compared to newer technologies which are arguably still ‘up and coming’, insulation is a tried-and-tested solution. What is surprising – and somewhat alarming – is that 24%
of respondents said they are using none of the options listed. However this could be due to a simple lack of knowledge – with many self-builders not project managing their builds themselves they may simply be unaware what methods or products are being specifi ed or installed by their architect or contractor. After insulation, the next most selected options were timber frame (24%), solar PV (22%) and airtightness membranes & tapes (20%). Timber frame is generally a popular choice among self- builders, offering a suitable and environmentally friendly alternative to more conventional brick and block construction methods, so it’s perhaps surprising that not more of our respondents are using it. Solar PV use is growing, providing a great method for existing homeowners looking to make upgrades as well as those undertaking a full build. Airtightness tapes are a fairly simple way to help reduce air leakage, creating a more comfortable environment, improved insulation performance and better indoor air quality. Airtightness is particularly important for those targeting Passivhaus, and is also likely to increase in usage with the introduction of the FHS and its improved airtightness targets. What was more surprising was the low number of respondents who said they are using a heat pump (air or ground source), with only 12% selecting it. Generally these have increased in popularity among the self-build community over the past few years, and again with the imminent implementation of the FHS they will become all but non-negotiable with the ban on connecting to mains gas. However, heat pumps have gained a reputation for being expensive to purchase and install, which does put many self-builders off, particularly those working to a tight budget. Other options we gave respondents include battery storage (17%), triple glazing (14%) and EV charging (13%) – again all measures which are gradually increasing in popularity and usage, and will likely surge more once the FHS comes into force. Some respondents commented with their own additional
measures, including the “use of materials produced in the UK to limit carbon footprint,” “LED lights” and “rainwater harvesting,” all of which are great steps towards reducing a project’s impact on the environment, both during construction and in the long term. While it’s encouraging that there are a myriad of measures being used by self-builders and renovators, uptake for most could arguably be higher. Whether that’s down to gaps in knowledge, high upfront costs making them unattainable, or apprehension about newer technologies, there is undoubtedly work to be done to increase uptake overall.
Low carbon building Building with sustainability in mind is one thing, but to consider
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