Low carbon homes: All you need to know

With the cost of living getting increasing in recent years, and people looking for more ways to be eco-conscious, low carbon homes can be a perfect solution.

Across the world, residential homes account for more than 20% of total carbon emissions, as well as contributing towards 30% of global energy. That means that the fossil fuels being used to build houses, heat up homes and generate electricity are having a direct impact on rising sea levels and global warming.

We’ll be talking you through what it means to build low carbon housing, and the benefits of investing in these types of homes from Strata! Read on to find out more.

What are low carbon homes?

Low carbon homes are properties that are designed and built to avoid releasing any further carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Generally speaking, this is accomplished by using clean energy to sustain itself.

• Low carbon housing will always:
• Use low carbon sources to generate electricity.
• Be built to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gases. 
• Come equipped with low carbon technology.
• Have built-in low carbon home heating sources to warm your home for less, and minimise any extra CO2 being produced.

And the government claim that, “If all homes constructed in future are built to a low carbon standard, there should be no need to retrofit these homes before the UK Government’s net zero 2050 deadline.” So, the aim is to build homes that will last, as we’ve always done here at Strata!

And for homes built from 2025, builders like Strata will need to follow The Future Homes Standard (Part L) – this will involve a good standard of energy efficiency from a new build home, alongside low carbon heating structures being in-built.  

So, a carbon-zero house is actually carbon negative, which means that over a period of 12 months, the home generates more electricity than it uses, which means it can offset CO2 that’s being produced elsewhere.

The benefits of low carbon homes

A low carbon house can be more expensive to buy than other homes of the same size, in the short-term. However, they bring back a very good return on investment, due to the lower cost of utility bills. And that in itself brings about more benefits, as highlighted below: 

1. They’re extremely well-insulated

In 2022, an estimated 3.16 million households in the UK were suffering from fuel poverty, meaning that more than 10% of their income was spent on keeping their home at a temperature of between 18-21 degrees Celsius.

To combat this problem, low carbon homes are built so that they’re essentially airtight, i.e. well-insulated. Windows are often built both north and south facing so that the heat from the sun is absorbed in the winter, and minimised in the summer. 

Also, heat pumps in the ground are used for low carbon homes, which means that the Earth’s relative temperature can help to both cool and heat the home. It simply depends what time of the year it is! All of this means that maximum energy efficiency is achieved in a low carbon house, which brings the benefit of lower heating bills.

2. No natural gas is used for heating or cooking

Natural gas is a fossil fuel, so using this in your home results in the emission of greenhouse gases. Whereas, low carbon homes don’t use gas at all, with electricity being the only energy that’s consumed. This is a much cleaner, and greener, option overall!

And regarding renewable energy, low carbon housing comes equipped with the likes of solar panelled roofs. This handy feature helps generate more electricity during the day, which can then be used at night while unwinding in your home.

3. Your home is more durable

The materials used when building low carbon housing tends to be more durable than other properties, like traditional homes, for example. So, low carbon properties require less upkeep and last a lot longer, which is another way to help reduce your monthly payments. 

This, combined with lower energy bills, means that when the time comes to move, you’re likely to see a higher resale value!

Why choose low carbon homes over making your home eco-friendly?

Taking steps to make your home eco-friendlier is a great benefit, but having a low carbon home takes you one step further, which helps to offset other CO2 emissions. 

An eco-friendly house is one that’s been built with materials that reduce its carbon footprint, and it may have environmentally-friendly features such as water conservation solutions. This is great news for the planet, but these homes weren’t initially built to reduce carbon emissions, or conserve heat. And, it isn’t quite as easy to keep a traditional property low carbon, when compared to homes that are built with this specific motive in mind. 

Appropriate certification

One thing you should look for when searching for your new home is a Passivehaus certification. These refer to a set of energy-efficient building principles to prove that a home has great insulation and is airtight, amongst other things. And this is something that Strata’s low carbon houses have achieved.

Discover our low carbon developments

We’re completely committed to building a greener future, which starts with building homes made of sustainable materials, for more sustainable living. 

In Chesterfield, we’ve built our first low carbon housing development – Purity, in Loundsley Green. This plot houses 32 contemporary homes, and is located off Dunston Road, boasting breath-taking panoramic views, and a whole host of features that offset carbon emissions. 

How is this Strata development low carbon?

Wood was the key product used for building the low carbon homes in our new development; production is located with the sawmill, reducing the need for transportation during the build. Also, our builders have also reduced water usage, ensuring closed panels remain completely dry during the building process.

And for home-owners, the low carbon theme continues. Water is only heated when it’s needed, your light switch sensors learn to understand daily routines, and with your home being naturally warmer, it means that overall running costs are a lot lower than traditionally-built homes. 

Want to discover more about our low carbon housing development? See if these types of homes fit in with your preferences and lifestyle, by getting in touch with us today! 

Meanwhile, find out more about living in Chesterfield and the benefits you’ll reap, or explore our full range of contemporary homes, which all combine style, functionality, and connectivity to amenities.