Zero Energy Without The Zany Bits: Part 2

By John Ross, Research Lecturer, and MCS Heat Pump Inspector for Ireland

In last month’s edition I wrote about the exciting Zero home
project (with no zany bits) at the ‘Fort’ in Maghera, a brainchild
of Barry Gallagher and a development by Fairbuild Homes
using Barry’s Zerohome system.

A “no frills” home, constructed from current materials, using existing methods of construction with a few added tweaks? I want to allow the development group involved the possibility to express the concept and methods:There’s a belief that we’re trailing behind other European countries when it comes to green design and that catching up will involve spending vast sums of money on high-tech super-houses, but Fairbuild Homes are proving this is not the case.

The Fort development on Craigmore Road is reducing its carbon footprint by implementing an innovative build process called the ZeroHome system. As well as being environmentally conscious,the development, comes with an über-affordable price tag of £118,500, which is extremely attractive to first-time buyers; the exceptionally low running costs also offers an incentive to buy.

“There’s a belief that we’re trailing behind other European countries when it comes to green design and that catching up will involve spending vast sums of money on high-tech super-houses, but Fairbuild Homes are proving this is not the case“.

Affordable and Sustainable

Richard Todd from Fairbuild Homes explained: “The concept was to develop an ultra-low energy house that people aspire to live in and highly cost effective anywhere in Northern Ireland. The development boasts two affordable three bedroom family homes which complement the homes already existing on this site.”The project uses the latest renewable technologies together with traditional construction methods and fabrics. It aims to help bridge the gap between simple and effective design, ease of construction and the costs for provision of affordable sustainable homes. Most significantly, the design and construction enables a change in lifestyle of the home owner to adopt a more energy conscious attitude.

Clean and Green

Richard enthused: “This exciting scheme utilises an infill development approach and is aimed at reconnecting with our environment and enjoying the clean, green energy that is all around us, free to use without worry or compromise. These homes also aim to transform the homeowner’s lifestyle enabling them to enjoy a sustainable low energy use home, needing only the ambient heat of the air and the light of the sun to provide warmth and comfort.” Fairbuild used an innovative build process on ‘The Fort’ called the ZeroHome system which is based on a ‘whole-of-life’ design and employs existing materials and methods that improve energy efficiency, sustainability and functionality. This means that homes are robust and built to last with a traditional construction specification while incorporating the latest renewable energy technologies to deliver near zero running energy costs.

Richard added: “Every detail was carefully considered to fashion an attractive turnkey home maximising the use of space with an outstanding specification and low maintenance finish. Great effort was also put into the procurement process to make these unique homes competitively priced and available to first-time buyers.The key was affordability and this challenge required using, where possible, competitively priced local products, traditional skills and techniques of construction. The result is an exceptionally sustainable home which is highly cost effective to build and also very affordable to buy and incredibly affordable to run.”

Renewable Technologies

Fairbuild Homes who used sustainability minded builders Wilson & Mawhinney on the construction of this project, has always adopted an environmentally friendly vision for the future. The choice of build partner was important and Wilson & Mawhinney’s attitude and quality of work also demonstrated a passion for excellence. As a result the fabric performance of these homes complies with the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES)required to meet the zero carbon benchmark. In addition this is complimented by using the latest renewable technologies by employing a Solar and PV array which works in sync with a therm dynamic heat recovery system.The home also uses a hi-tech heat pump with roof mounted evaporators to collect the sun energy’s for heating needs. The running costs of this system underpinned by the PV system.

Annual Energy Five Pounds?

The project was careful to conserve resources during the procurement and building process and very conscious of the energy use as a practical family home, as demonstrated by its zero carbon rating. An indicative estimate quantifying the energy running costs (depending on operation and use by the home owner) for heating, hot water and fixed lighting is approximately £5 per annum. These homes will be affordable and an important factor in reducing the growing problem of fuel poverty.

Construction with a Conscience

Building a zero carbon home is proving challenging in the current economic climate, even though land and house prices are at a reduced level, so did this cost Fairbuild considerably more than it would to build a not-so-eco-friendly home?
Richard responded: “At Fairbuild, we see this as the perfect opening to innovate and feel that there is no better time to lead by example and to implement our plans for Zero carbon build. Why? – because ‘it is the right thing to do’ for cash strapped home buyers and allows us to frame our blueprint for the way forward in this key area.

“This is much easier said than done and we have found that there are very few who have the expertise or skills to do this affordably. We are therefore very grateful to our Architect & Building Sustainability Consultant, Mr Barry Gallagher, for sharing his considerable ‘know how’ in our drive to become the developer of choice for the homebuyer.
“Not only has he worked alongside Fairbuild in researching and developing ways of integrating the use of high energy efficient building fabrics with renewable energies but he has also set his sights on the design and delivery of the ‘next generation’ of affordable homes that embrace a whole-of-life design concept. Nonetheless the most appealing characteristic is that this is not at the expense of providing a home which is comfortable and that people aspire to live in.”

Architect/Sustainability

Consultant and “Zerohome System” creator, Barry Gallagher states: “Our culture and lifestyle is what it is, so rather than trying to change it completely, why not just build on what we have and are familiar with”. If we approach change in this way,people will understand and respond, and it is the response that is so crucial to the success of so many good ideas. “Zerohome System” understands that a house is to be lived in and enjoyed by all the family and should be “wholeof-life” and used as a family needs to use it. It also must do “what it says on the tin”.

The system embraces Affordability, Low Maintenance, Simplicity, Use of Systems with a proven track record and Robust/Durable solutions and benefits from using mainstream construction methods, supported by a well-established supply chain. Future-proofing tradition is the engine of the “Zerohome System” approach.

Barry Gallagher is an Architect and Building Sustainability Consultant with over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry and specialises in eliminating carbon emissions for new build homes. He was one of the first designers to plan and deliver a true Zero carbon home in Northern Ireland basing his approach on a ‘whole-of-life’ design concept. Barry’s research has focused on finding ways to combine the use of renewable energies with sustainable building fabrics whilst embracing traditional building methods and skills. So what was done differently with The Fort?

According to the team, ‘nothing is different, but everything is different!’“That sounds like a contradiction in terms but bizarrely it reflects our strategy,” said Richard. “Until now,green homes have relied on revolutionary ways of building using expensive technologies which are yet to be proven over the long-term.
“That’s led many homebuyers to the assumption that going green is not an option for them. This attitude is not surprising.Without a clear, unified approach to energy efficiency in the building industry, it is understandable why expectations are so low among would-be homeowners.

“Many of the problems are caused by the industry – architects, manufacturers, suppliers and builders alike – grappling to meet ambitious government targets for achieving zero carbon emissions for all new build properties by 2016.
“At Fairbuild, we thought very carefully about the right thing to do as we set about meeting those targets and, more importantly, our customers’ expectations.”

Richard continued: “We’ve found that going green is often about going back to basics. We worked with a visionary architect and a builder who shared our passion for making green homes financially viable. That sums up what we’re doing to remove the hassle of running a cost-efficient green home. If you want to take advantage of those savings on building costs and energy bills, just make the important choice to buy a Fairbuild home.”

 Barry can be contacted directly
on 07912060056 or alternatively
contact Richard on 07716295114.