Environmental Sustainability

EcoHomes Assesment
EcoHomes is a certification scheme for the assessment of residential development that was developed by the Centre for Sustainable Construction at the Building Research Establishment (BRE).

EcoHomes aims to demonstrate a residential development’s environmental performance by providing an environmental rating of either Pass, Good, Very Good or Excellent. Reland aspire to achieve an ‘Excellent’ rating.

The following summarise the EcoHomes Criteria and the development aspirations in relation to an environmental rating:

Energy
• Dwelling Emission Rates: achieve SAP 2005 CO2 emissions less than or equal to 18 kg m2/yr.
• Building Envelope Performance: the Heat Loss Parameter (HEP) is less than or equal to 1.1 W/m2K.
• Energy Efficiency: where practicable, it is hoped to include measures
such as:

Heat Pump Technology (to provide heating and possibly a degree of comfort cooling in the summer):
- Riverside – utilising Thames water
- West and Barns site – ground source heat pumps

Biomass:
- Individual boilers in each unit
- Communal system serving all units on the west site

Solar power:
- Domestic hot water heating on the south – south west facing roves on un-
shaded units on West site

Wind power:
- Unlikely to be viable due to location but small roof mounted systems will be considered

Transport
• Public Transport: 80% of the development is within 500 m of an hourly bus service.
• Cycle Storage: provision of cycle storage for 95% of dwellings.
• Local Amenities: proximity to local amenities such as food shop and post box.
• Home Office: provision of space and services for a home office.

Pollution
• Insulation ODP and GWP: insulating materials that avoid the use of ozone depleting substances and have a global warming potential of less than five for the roof, wall, floor and hot water cylinder.
• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Emissions: 95% of dwellings throughout the development served by heating and hot water systems with an average NOx emission rate of less than or equal to 40 NOx mg/kWh.
• Reduction of Surface Runoff: attenuation of surface water to either natural watercourses and/or drainage systems at peak times, from hard surface runoff and roof runoff, through the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS).
• Renewable / Low Emission Energy Source: demonstrates that a feasibility study considering renewable and low emission energy carried out and results implemented.