NHBC release sustainable technologies report

The use of sustainable technologies by housing associations has been released.

A new report from the NHBC Foundation has shown that photovoltaics (PV) is the most popular sustainable technology for housing associations. 

Results from ‘sustainable technologies – the experience of housing associations’, show that approximately 75% of housing associations say they would use PV again. 

The report is extremely useful at identifying which technologies work and which ones cause problems, as well as saying what those problems are. 

Sustainable technology is crucial to the housing sector. This was stimulated back in 2006 with the introduction of the Code for Sustainable Homes and the ten-year target of producing zero carbon new homes. 

That deadline is next year and in the nine previous years, housing associations have taken this responsibility very seriously by adopting sustainable homes so that homes are built at a much higher level and standard. 

The report from NHBC Foundation showed that more than two thirds of the housing associations contacted have used, and have experience of one technology, with PV being the most used energy-related sustainable technology. 

In each Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) funding round, the percentage of PV is growing and is now up to 61%. 

The housing associations questioned for the report indicated planning and funding requirements as well as meeting the Code for Sustainable Homes requirements were the main drivers to installing technologies. 

The upfront capital cost was the main reason two thirds of the housing associations chose specific technologies, with maintenance being the main reason for 38% of those who participated. 

Ease of use of a specific technology was important to more than 50%, with only 19% seeing the payback of the technology as a huge influence. 

Other results from the research showed 75,000 new homes have been fitted with low-flush toilets and more than 66,000 have benefited from low-flow taps and showers – now regarded as standard specification items. 

Almost two thirds of those who took part in the survey said that installation was a problem because of lack of skilled or experienced trades, while 23% agreed that installers who understand the product can make a huge difference to its success. 

A main driver for 43% of housing associations was helping to benefit residents by installing sustainable technologies that reduced fuel poverty. Following this, approximately a quarter said that tenants had benefited from better quality of air, while 81% said their tenants had seen a reduction in energy bills. 

The results of the report show that more work can be done to ensure all technologies are fully researched and an understanding of the options is known, while also making sure the building fabric is right before use of technologies is considered. 

All departments should be involved when technologies are under consideration and it is important to use installers who understand each product. 

Neil Smith is Head of Research and Innovation at NHBC, and he spoke of the progress made in the housing sector. 

He said:  “Much progress has been made by the house-building industry to address environmental issues, particularly in relation to improving energy and water efficiency.

“The social housing sector has led the way in the use of sustainable technologies.  Because of their ownership and management of significant portfolios of high-Code-level sustainable homes, housing associations have been in a position to gain experience of the installation, performance and resident satisfaction with the various technologies.

“This research is aimed at helping the wider house-building industry and others to make better-informed choices.  This report identifies technologies that have worked well, those that have given rise to concerns and the nature of those concerns.”

Established in 2006, the NHBC Foundation provides quality research and practical guidance to support the house building industry as it addresses the numerous challenges of delivering new homes. 

Information was collated by holding a number of focus groups and conducting in-depth telephone interviews. 

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