New research from the National Energy Foundation has revealed low-carbon SuperHomes are also low-energy…
SuperHomes are both low-carbon and low-energy, according to new research. SuperHomes is a nationwide network of some 205 homes, open to the public for education and inspirational purposes. The owners of these properties have successfully reduced their carbon emissions by at least 60 per cent.
Now, research from the National Energy Foundation has revealed low-carbon SuperHomes are also low-energy homes.
According to the data the most efficient in the survey used some 86 per cent less energy than the average UK home.
Researchers calculated the energy and carbon figures for a sample of the 205 SuperHomes both by person and by square metre of floor space per year. The NEF used the 2012 National Energy Efficiency Data-Framework (NEED) sample to compare between the average SuperHome and the average UK home of the same size, with the same number of occupants.
Findings from the research revealed the average SuperHome is more than 40 per cent more energy efficient than the average UK home in its energy use per square metre per year.
Additionally, these properties consume some 19 per cent less energy than the average UK home each year. This is despite having a larger than average floor area and a higher than average occupancy.
Compared to the national average of 177kWh, SuperHomes use less energy per square meter per year, standing at 104kWh.
These properties also consume less energy per annum than the average household, at 14,722kWh compared to 18,100kWh.
Based upon comparisons between pre- and post-retrofit emissions, the researchers found there was a reduction in carbon emissions of some 72 per cent.
Gabby Mallett, Director of SuperHomes and Households and Communities at the National Energy Foundation, said: “Many people assume that a low-carbon home is also a low-energy one. However, this is not necessarily the case with many homeowners prioritising one over the other; for example, either concentrating on cutting carbon emissions by generating renewable energy with solar panels, biomass boilers and so forth; or, alternatively, reducing their energy consumption by improving their wall and loft insulation and moving to more energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
“This research proves that SuperHomes are super in more ways than one, and it shows that buildings can be improved to be both low-carbon and low-energy.
“What’s more, it’s fantastic to discover that many SuperHomes have not only gone much further than a 60 per cent carbon reduction, but they’ve achieved great results on energy too; in some cases using up to 86 per cent less energy than the average UK home.”
