Benchmarking Embodied and Whole Life Carbon for New Homes
Sandeep Channa, Head of Timber Frame, took part in last week’s “Deep Dive: Benchmarking Embodied and Whole Life Carbon for New Homes” webinar, led by the Future Homes Hub.
Data, reporting and collaboration are key to the housebuilding sector’s roadmap to Net Zero and the tools the industry needs to deliver are now in place with the Future Homes Hub Carbon Assessment Tool and One Click LCA software for building-level carbon calculations.
Led by David Robins, Technical Director at Places for People (managing 70,000+ homes across England & Scotland) the webinar also explored recent findings:
- Detached homes: findings of higher carbon intensity (542 kgCO2e/m²) vs. mid/end-terrace homes means this likely to provide strong talking points for planning purposes
- Timber frame builds show some modest reductions compared to masonry, adding to the industry’s ability to reduce the carbon impact of new homes.
- Heating source comparison: heat pumps vs. gas boilers significantly affect whole life carbon outcomes, and while PV arrays are excluded for consistency, they clearly have a major role moving forward.
Benchmarking for WLF reporting is to be set from April and energy and carbon reporting are expected to become standard practice across the sector.
Membership of the Future Homes Hub underlines our commitment to supporting the industry in its journey to whole life carbon reporting. The use of timber and timber frame construction, backed by the data driven comparisons we are able to supply, is already a core part of the approach to Net Zero for many national housebuilders and increasing seen as the future by regional and smaller players. The tools the Future Homes Hub make this possible and we are fully committed to the wide collaboration the industry needs to deliver these ambitious goals.
If you’re interested in how timber frame can support your whole life carbon reduction targets, please contact Sandeep and our team on 01832 732366.
