{"id":91644,"date":"2021-04-08T10:57:33","date_gmt":"2021-04-08T09:57:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=91644"},"modified":"2021-04-08T10:57:33","modified_gmt":"2021-04-08T09:57:33","slug":"zero-carbon-housing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/mmc-news\/zero-carbon-housing\/91644\/","title":{"rendered":"Etopia Homes commits to delivering zero-carbon housing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Etopia Homes<\/a>, backed by the Reuben Brothers, has become the UK\u2019s first developer to commit to achieving an\u00a0EDGE Zero Carbon\u00a0certification<\/h2>\n

Launched under the UN Secretary General\u2019s Zero Carbon for All Initiative<\/a> and backed by the UK Government, the certification recognises homes that achieve a 100% reduction in operational emissions using low-carbon technologies such as air source heat pumps<\/a> and sourcing power from renewable energy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The EDGE Zero Carbon certification has only been awarded to three other developments in the world, all of which were office buildings overseas.<\/p>\n

The news follows last year\u2019s announcement that Etopia Group, Etopia Homes\u2019 parent company, had become the first housebuilder in the world to achieve the Carbon Neutral International Standard<\/a> and to join the United National Climate Neutral Now Initiative<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As a signatory of the UN Climate Neutral Now initiative, Etopia Group have calculated and disclosed the current carbon footprint of the company, including international air travel, and show a clear pathway to reducing it year on year.<\/p>\n

The EDGE certification process is taking place at Etopia Homes\u2019 development in Wilburton, Cambridgeshire. Branded Juniper Place, the scheme is delivering 30 \u2018zero-carbon\u2019 homes on the site in Cambridge, 21 of which will be for private sale and 9 for affordable.<\/p>\n

The announcement follows the introduction of new building regulations<\/a> that require new homes constructed from this year onwards to produce 31% lower carbon emissions compared to previous standards.<\/p>\n

As part of the project, Etopia Homes will install sensors on each floor of the 30 homes. The technology will collect data on the energy usage of each home and help residents automatically optimise performance.<\/p>\n

For example, if a home is using more heat than required, the technology will automatically adjust heating levels to ensure that energy isn\u2019t being wasted.<\/p>\n

Etopia Homes\u2019 commitment to achieving the EDGE Zero Carbon certification is the first step in a three-part process.<\/p>\n

The commitment will require Etopia Homes to:<\/h3>\n