3 Features of a Zero Carbon House

When designing or renovating your home, it’s important to consider eco friendly house plans to try and play your part in reducing your carbon footprint. To help you on your way, we’ll be exploring the below questions:

• What is a zero emissions house?
• What are the benefits of a zero carbon house?
• What three features to consider when designing eco friendly house plans?

In response to global warming, the UK Government passed a law to be net-zero emissions by 2050, with the desire of a green revolution. This law is the most ambitious to be set in the world and focuses on reducing any climate change impact. So, how can you help? By working towards achieving a zero carbon house.

What is a zero carbon house?

A zero carbon house, also known as a zero emissions house,  should be considered within any eco-friendly house plans. A zero emissions house takes into account the type of energy used when constructing the house, how much energy is used in the construction and considered the energy sources used to heat and power the house once occupied.

The main emphasis of the 'zero carbon' is for homes to be as energy-efficient and environmentally responsible as possible. Also, to make a positive contribution towards sustainability, such as ensuring the house is sufficiently insulated and adequately airtight.

The benefits of a zero emissions house

1. Reduced energy bills

A zero emissions house is built with both yours and the environment's needs in mind. As the name implies, a zero carbon house is designed to emit very low to no carbon. By being built and powered using environmentally friendly and sustainable materials and energy, in turn the cost of your energy and water bills is reduced.

2. Sustainable building

An element that most people don’t consider when building or designing a house is ‘how does this built impact the planet’? A traditional house build involves the use and cost of electricity and emits carbon. For example, Inside Housing claims half a tonne of carbon dioxide is emitted from one tonne of concrete in a house build. A zero carbon house takes into account the use of sustainable materials during the construction of the house.  

3. Save on installation costs

The Government offers incentives for a sustainably ran house. The Green Home Grant Scheme means homeowners or landlords can claim back up to £5,000 to make their home more energy and efficient up until the end of March 2021.

Three features to consider in eco friendly house plans

Here are some top tips if you are renovating or starting from scratch to get your home and domestic heating oil system running with 'zero carbon'.

1. Windows

For both heat insulation and helping reduce the cost of domestic heating oil bills, double glazed uPVC windows are highly effective in keeping energy in your home. However, with older properties, they might not fit with the 'look' or be appropriate, so other options include secondary glazing or having a thorough restoration which will work just as well.

2. Insulation

The design of your house should not only be aesthetically pleasing but airtight and well ventilated for you to feel the benefit from your domestic heating oil. It is estimated that 66% of heat loss in the home is through a badly insulated roof. To avoid this make sure you have 150mm-200mm of insulation in the attic from either conventional materials or natural, Eco-friendly ones like Thermafleece made from Sheeps wool, Flax 100 from flax and hemp, plus several other sustainable options. It also imperative to creating a sustainable, 'green' home that you are fully fitted with cavity wall insulation. Having the space between the outer and inner walls filled makes a big difference in preventing heat loss and is a small investment that will pay for itself over a short period of time.

3. Boiler

A domestic heating oil boiler should have annual servicing to maintain performance and efficiency. To help keep energy bills low, reduce the thermostat by just 1*c, this can cut the cost of your domestic heating oil by up to 10%. Another way of conserving energy, money and lowering carbon emissions is by adding thermostatic valves to radiators to stop unused rooms being heated and wasting domestic heating oil.

To build a zero carbon house requires a large amount of savings and investment. If you’re looking for a more affordable way to reduce your carbon emissions, why not consider your heating oil? The majority of UK homes with older heating systems, use standardised kerosene oil. At Rix Petroleum, we offer K+ Premium Heating Oil to heat your home efficiently. As the oil is utilised more efficiently, the CO2 levels emitted are kept at a minimum and in turn saves you money with lower heating costs.

We all want to see an economically healthy, viable and sustainable future. Please get in contact with Rix if you have any questions or queries, or check out our blog for further heating oil tips and advice.