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Press Release

Zero carbon flexibility will create healthier, more attractive homes

29 July 2010

Kevin Brennan, head of sustainability, VELUX Company Ltd, comments on Grant Shapps announcement outlining a local approach to delivering zero carbon homes by 2016:

"We applaud the government's commitment to the 2016 target for all new homes to be zero carbon and more than welcome the relaxation of the proposed zero carbon definition. A measure of flexibility was always needed, as we were fast heading towards a predetermined solution to zero carbon: that of an air-tight, dimly-lit box with mechanical ventilation and little, if any, synergy with the external environment.

"Recent reports have suggested that not only can this solution be detrimental to health but can also lead to an excessive financial burden on homeowners in regard to future repairs and maintenance.

"The acceptance that every home built also has to be an attractive proposition to the homeowner, both in terms of cost and the quality of the internal environment is also welcomed. To-date, most so-called eco homes have been built on a budget light years outside of most homeowners' reach and this has to change if sustainability is to become main stream.

"We would now like to see the government move beyond energy reduction targets for the building fabric and introduce standards for the performance and quality of the space within the home; covering elements such as air quality, living space standards, amounts of fresh air and daylight. These could be implemented via an all encompassing Design Code for Homes.

"The VELUX CarbonLight Homes due to be built in Kettering during the latter part of this year will be one of the first pair of homes built to this new zero carbon definition. We hope that our experiment in Active Living will provide some significant evidence in how a zero carbon home can be a healthy, cost effective and attractive proposition for 20 million home owners throughout the UK."



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