Environment Ministers Officially Open NI’s First Zero Carbon House

Sustainable Construction Firm Green Future NI Ltd Has Achieved Blueprint For Volume, Zero Carbon Housing
The ‘Green Future House’ is a valuable working template that we can use to help the industry arm itself with the knowledge and experience to make this a reality. Speaking at the official opening, Minister Attwood said: “Energy efficient homes have lower running costs and as such also have an important role to play in reducing fuel poverty. “I therefore wish to encourage those in the building industry to take on the challenge of improving the energy efficiency of their houses and recognise the wider role they have in improving the lives of the poorest in our society and in shaping a clean and green future for everyone.” Minister Attwood continued: “Improving the energy efficiency of housing provides an opportunity to develop new ideas in design and construction and I welcome the innovation which has been shown in building these Zero and Low Carbon homes of the future.” Kirsty McQuoid, head of Public Affairs at Belfast agency PRs ME, is currently lobbying for UK and Irish Governments to legislate immediately for building of zero carbon social housing. She said: “This prototype zero carbon build perfectly illustrates why all social housing should from immediate effect be built to zero carbon standards, it is costeffective and common sense. “Green Future NI has proven how cheaply energy efficient homes can be built and with the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) publishing figures this month announcing that homes built from 2016 will be 79 per cent cheaper to run, why would Governments and industry hold off until 2016 when fuel poverty, energy crisis and environmental issues are upon us now. “It is reassuring that companies like Green Future NI has taken the initiative to create a zero carbon prototype for a low cost which will provide energy saving dividends for end users. I hope this will encourage volume building of zero carbon social housing well before Government legislation is put in place.” A record breaking level of air tightness was achieved in this house which boosts negative CO2 emissions. The University of Ulster’s Centre of Sustainable Technologies is currently researching the thermal performance of the ‘Green Future House’ with findings to be published next month. For further information contact: Green Future NI Ltd 266D Monaghan Road, Armagh T: +44 (0) 28 3751 8187 M: +44 (0)7710 883 107 E: office@zerocarbonhouse.eu W: www.zerocarbonhouse.eu