If you’re thinking about designing an extension or a building or retrofitting for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, here’s some useful advice:
- Perfect Circle: Building a circular economy (YouTube video)
- Climate Emergency Design Guide by LETI, a network of over 1000 built environment professionals working together to put the UK on the path to a zero carbon future.
- AECOM’s carbon and business case for choosing refurbishment over new build
- AECOM’s guide to understanding net zero and what AECOM is doing to respond to the climate emergency
- Net Zero Carbon Buildings: A Framework Definition - a report intended as a first step towards delivering buildings that are in line with the aims of the Paris Agreement – namely net zero carbon across the whole life of a building.
- Green Technology: Designing for Low Carbon (AECOM)
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RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide - guidance on targeting, designing and evaluating sustainable outcomes for buildings of all scales.
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Damon Hart-Davis's Earth Notes: On Building a New Efficient Home in (the South of) England: where to start, what to remember, and useful resources. Save your wallet, toes, and the planet!
Also:
- Thinking of extending your home? Patrick Manwell of TTK’s Energy Group says that planning a major extension offers the ideal opportunity to decarbonise your entire house and reduce your energy bills. Find out why here.
- Thinking about installing an air source heat pump?
- Damon of TTK’s Energy Group has put together a lot of useful information here, including questions to ask a supplier and a case-study on a Kingston house
- The Guardian on how the costs and savings stack up
- Possible's Guide to Heat Pumps
- At home with a heat pump - 4 householders with recently installed air source heat pumps discuss the ups and downs of ownership in The Guardian
- New heat pump and hydrogen research from Imperial College
- What type of heat pump would work in my home? The pros and cons from Houzz home décor website in a feature about heat pumps. - Interested in Passivhaus standards of energy-efficiency and comfort? This Guardian article, with links to further info, is a useful place to start.