Identifying How to Tackle Mould Growth in the Existing Building Stock
Posted on April 27th 2023
Housing associations are being held accountable through fines for mould growth in existing housing stock. It is a legal requirement that landlords must adequately address any underlying causes of mould growth, or health hazard within a specified time. It is important to note the severity of the negative health impacts around this area. This includes respiratory diseases, allergies and weakened …
Appraisal of the Updated RICS Whole Life Carbon Guidance
Posted on April 27th 2023
RICS is releasing a second version of their “Whole-life carbon assessment guidance”. This guidance aims to improve clarity and provide greater detail on the process of conducting carbon assessments. This guidance provides more detail on assumptions used in the absence of real data, which will allow for LCAs conducted early in the design stage to be more accurate. This should …
Enhancing Air Tightness Improves Build Quality and Provides Cost Savings
Posted on April 27th 2023
Enhancing air tightness is a major component in allowing developers to optimise design and can help reduce occupant energy use. Changing the air tightness by 2.0 m3/h.m2 could alter the insulation thickness of a GRC (glassfibre reinforced concrete) external wall for high rise apartments by 80 mm. Targeting the maximum limiting value for air permeability of 8.0 m3/h.m2 will not …
How to Scrutinise Carbon Offsetting
Posted on March 31st 2023
Developers that fail to scrutinise their carbon offsetting method may not be able to claim their developments are net zero carbon. Offsetting is an accepted part of a zero-carbon strategy and can be effective for displacing hard-to-decarbonise sources. However, it is incumbent on developers to ensure that contributions are made to verifiable schemes and that efforts are made to track …
90 Days for Heat Networks to get 12 Months of Fuel Discount
Posted on March 31st 2023
The Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS) requires heat network operators to apply for fuel discounts by the 29th June 2023. This scheme runs up until 31st March 2024 and replaces the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. The government have estimated that the new discount will save heat network customers £800/annum. The online application process for the Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS) …
Project Success at Mountbatten House
Posted on March 29th 2023
Clockwise Southampton is located in Mountbatten House, one of the city’s most prestigious landmark offices. Hodkinsons were appointed to undertake a BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out Assessment for the recent refurbishment of this Georgian building into an office space. Originally targeting a BREEAM rating of Very Good, Hodkinsons worked with the design team to improve on this requirement and secure …
How Thermal Bridging can Increase Internal Area and Reduce Cost
Posted on March 29th 2023
Using our examples of best practice thermal bridge junctions we have found wall thickness can reduce by circa 40 mm. This leads to a relaxation of the U-value by around 35%. Good thermal performance of building junctions could therefore increase the internal area. Improving the thermal performance of junctions can help create cost savings without compromising the overall performance of …
Lessons and Opportunities for the Use of Heat Pre-Payment Meters
Posted on February 27th 2023
Discussions surrounding pre-payment meters have resurfaced within the energy industry following reports of forced entry into vulnerable customers’ homes to install the devices. These reports have initiated a review from national energy regulator Ofgem. Magistrates have since been ordered to stop the issue of warrants that allow forced entry, with energy companies agreeing to suspend all forced installations until Ofgem’s …
Are the GLA’s New Energy Assessment Benchmarks Achievable?
Posted on February 27th 2023
The GLA’s latest Energy Assessment Guidance (June 2022) introduced some new benchmarks that schemes should aim to achieve, and that need to be addressed within all Energy Statements for residential development going forward. The new benchmarks are as follows: Energy Use Intensity – Benchmark 35 kWh/m2/year Energy Use Intensity (EUI) is a measure of the total energy consumed in a …
How Sustainable Design Addresses Climate, Health and Energy Challenges
Posted on February 27th 2023
Quality buildings address the current concerns of their occupants, including increased energy costs, health and wellbeing, and climate change. Some examples of how these are addressed in your designs are shown in this image: