Research and
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

RECENT RESEARCH

BREEAM versus LEED - February 2010

This White Paper looks at BREEAM and LEED, the two most widely recognised environmental assessment methodologies used globally in the construction industry today. Each has different strengths and weaknesses, with differing philosophies and business models. Generally it is not straightforward to compare the two. What might be applicable in one assessment method might not be relevant in another. Historically BREEAM has been the leading methodology in the UK, but increasingly clients are asking the question - is BREEAM best or is LEED better? How can a project team in the UK determine which methodology is most appropriate for their project? This White Paper aims to give you the necessary background and help you make an informed decision about your project.

DOWNLOAD WHITE PAPER HERE (PDF)

For further information please contact: melanie.starrs@inbuilt.co.uk

This research shows that designing family homes to Passivhaus standards could be the most effective approach for social housing developers to reach the energy standard of level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes when tackling fuel poverty. Code level 4 is a lower carbon housing standard required on some social housing projects already and is due to become the minimum standard for all new publicly-funded housing by 2011. However, Inbuilt's research shows that a Passivhaus can have a space heating requirement 90% lower than a home of the same dimensions built to Code level 4. Inbuilt's technical team carried out extensive modelling of two house types with more than 70 different permutations of floor sizes, locations and heating systems using the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) and SAP software. They found that it is possible to design a family home which meets the Passivhaus standard, does not require a conventional heating system or any sort of 'bolt on' electricity generation such as PV panels, and achieves a Dwelling Emissions Rate (DER) which complies with Code level 4.

Volume housebuilders' views on Zero Carbon - March 2008

This research reveals that, despite generally embracing the Government ambition for zero carbon new homes by 2016, many major housebuilders are deeply uncomfortable about whether they can achieve this target. Housebuilders warn about unrecoverable costs, the lack of reliable technologies, supply chain, skills or expertise, and the trouble accessing renewable energy sources. Encouragingly, all respondents said that new build housing had a significant role to play in helping to combat climate change, although there was also a clear view that a lot more needs to be done to tackle the performance of existing homes as this is where the greatest environmental, social and economic returns could be made. All respondents believed that, subject to limitations, new developments should be allowed to connect to off-site sources of renewable energy, including additional certified, specially funded, large scale renewable energy schemes which could then be accessed via the national grid (as well as private wires). The opinion poll among national housebuilders was conducted by Inbuilt between January and February 2008. All comments received were given in confidence and are not attributable to any individual company or respondent.