A new model for building affordable net zero homes

A new model for building affordable net zero homes

A new business model for building affordable, net zero homes in Edinburgh is set to transform the productivity and performance of affordable housing in the city.

The Edinburgh Home Demonstrator pilot will see the construction of 75 net zero carbon homes and three retail units in Granton.

The homes, which are part of the Council’s ambitious plan to deliver 20,000 affordable homes by 2027, will be built off-site and include zero emissions heating. This will help to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the city’s 2030 net zero target.

A team from Napier University will analyse emissions data from the pilot to understand the impact that offsite construction and electric heating systems have on energy demand. In particular, they will measure:

• heating and appliance electricity use

• internal air temperature levels

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels

• internal humidity levels

• as built U-values (the thermal performance of the element)

• as built air tightness

• local weather conditions

• how energy efficiency is affected by the different ways residents use the building.

The Edinburgh pilot will also be used to assess if the new business model can be scaled up, with a view to it being applied to develop 1,000 affordable net zero carbon homes across the six council areas in the City Region Deal (The City of Edinburgh Council, West Lothian Council, Mid Lothian Council, East Lothian Council, Fife Council and Scottish Borders Council).

If successful it’s anticipated that this model of construction will be scaled up and adopted in future house building across Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland.

The project is a collaboration between the Council, Scottish Government, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, Scottish Futures Trust, Edinburgh Napier University and Offsite Solutions Scotland.