In order to minimise the need for energy consumption, every building that Weston Homes constructs is designed with high levels of insulation and air tightness. In order to balance this carefully and prevent overheating, solar gain is optimised through the provision of solar treated glazing, natural shading and where possible, natural ventilation. Where dwellings are in a noisy location, they are provided with acoustically treated mechanical ventilation systems to enable a healthy indoor air quality without residents having to endure high levels of outside noise.
Focusing on the building fabric in this manner is considered to be the best approach to reduce emissions, lessening the reliance on energy saving technology or renewable energy generation, both of which have a limited lifespan. The UK government’s approach to zero carbon homes has also adopted the fabric first approach.
In line with Weston Homes’ focus on factory built building components, the fabric first approach can be standardised before being constructed by the Group in the British Offsite complex, resulting in high quality and a better performance in the finished building. Weston Homes is also integrating renewable energy sources into the company’s various developments. This includes installing PV panels on roofs and providing air source heat pumps. The heat pumps are generally within the dwelling and absorb heat from the exhaust air which is pre-heated by lighting, cooking and people to heat the home and provide hot water. External air source heat pumps can still extract heat when air temperatures are as low as -15 degrees centigrade. Air source heat pumps use electricity to run but are a renewable energy source and have efficiencies up to 450%, therefore provide a much greater heat output than the electricity used, making them a highly energy efficient method of heating a home.
