There are many elements that make a sustainable community. High quality buildings, good transport links, low environmental impact, safety and security and a thriving local economy are all important. At Beech Developments all our sites are chosen with all of these important elements in mind. We are proud of what we achieve in our local areas and now you can be part of all that too.
Renewable Energy
Typical running costs are reduced when compared to other properties as our homes are designed to use less energy to heat by incorporating renewable energy and generating power from natural sources. We use solar photovoltaic (PV) panels which produce free energy all year round during daylight hours. The government's Feed-in Tariffs scheme (FITs) mean that you recover money from your energy supplier. You are paid for the electricity you generate, even if you use it yourself, and for any surplus electricity you export to the grid. And of course you'll also save money on your electricity bills, because you'll be using your own electricity.
Energy monitoring and controls
Smart meters allow you the ability to monitor how much energy you’re using. Seeing the effect of reducing energy consumption via the smart meter will help you start saving money. No longer will you need to submit a meter reading as your smart meter will send accurate readings of your energy usage. You can also manage your heating more efficiently as our systems are zone and time controlled to enable further savings to the environment and your pocket.
Water Efficiency
By reducing the amount of water required through restricting flows and providing eco settings on the showers, our houses use less water which will reduce the running costs of your home. Other features include rain water harvesting through water butts and dual flush toilets which use considerably less water than traditional flushing systems.
Sustainable Living
Sustainable living is a lifestyle that attempts to reduce the impact on natural resources. By embracing the features that come with a Beech Home you can reduce your carbon footprint and enjoy a more sustainable way of living.
Recycling
Each home comes with an external area to store recycling bins. Internal recycling bins are provided discreetly within kitchen furniture to facilitate day to day recycling.
Home Office
Our homes come with the facility to create office space at home, in a room with extra internet and telephone access points, enabling you to work from home thus reducing your carbon footprint and encouraging sustainable living.
Biodiversity and Ecological Enhancement
We strive to enhance the ecological value and biodiversity on our developments through the provision of habitats and planting which encourage the re-introduction of wildlife indigenous to the area.
Responsibly Sourced Materials
The construction industry is a major consumer of resources, therefore sourcing materials responsibly is vital to us. This process is managed through a certification scheme which ensures that suppliers guarantee the provenance of their materials.
Passive House
Our commitment to environmental responsibility is a fundamental element of the Beech Developments philosophy. Our focus on sustainability and reduced environmental impact is one of the main factors that set us apart from our competitors. As a house developer, we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our homes, the way in which we build them and the way in which our homeowners live in them. Every step our development process from concept to completion is designed with this in mind.
To improve the whole performance of the home, Beech believes the best way is for our homes to reach the Passive House standard. The Passive House is a building standard that provides the highest level of comfort to the homeowner, whilst at the same time significantly reducing household bills by up to 90%. They require less than 15 kWh/ (m2yr) for heating or cooling. The demand for Passive Houses is ever increasing due to the exceptional benefits and unparalleled results that can produced. By following basic principles, the Passive House is a truly energy efficient, environmentally friendly and comfortable home to live in.
The basic principles to achieve this standard typically involve;
· accurate design modelling using the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP)
· very high levels of insulation
· extremely high performance windows with insulated frames
· airtight building fabric
· ‘thermal bridge free’ construction
· a mechanical ventilation system with highly efficient heat recovery
Thermal insulation More than 70% of heat is lost through the external walls and roofs in our existing homes. In the colder months, the heat from the home escapes through the building’s envelope causing the building’s interior to cool down. The opposite occurs during the hotter months, with excessive heat entering the building through the envelope. The most effective way to combat this loss is by improving the thermal insulation of the entire building’s envelope, restricting the heat flow. Not only does this improve the thermal comfort, but also helps to prevent structural damage.
High performance windowsAn essential part of Passive House standards are the high-performance windows. Passive House windows are well insulated and fitted with low-e glazing to prevent heat transfer. They make efficient use of solar gain but also use of passive cooling techniques such as strategic shading to keep the home cool in the hotter months.
AirtightnessThe air inside the home has higher water vapour content than the outside air. When the air inside the home cools, it struggles to keep the high amount of water vapour, therefore resulting in condensation. This can cause serious damage in the home, but also lead to health issues. It is therefore paramount that the building structure is built airtight to improve health and protect the building against damage.
‘Thermal bridge free’ construction
As with thermal insulation, heat can also be lost through thermal bridges. Thermal bridges occur where insulation is not continuous in the home, therefore creating areas of high heat loss and cold spots that can lead to draughts and condensation. The indoor air quality suffers with the presence of condensation, leading to health problems such as respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies and asthma. Thermal bridges also allow heat to enter the home introducing unwanted solar heat gains. Passive Houses are designed to achieve thermal bridge free construction for maximum energy efficiency and exceptional comfort.
Adequate ventilation with heat recovery
Health and comfort are important factors for homeowners when considering a new home. A ventilation system is considered the best solution for supplying adequate fresh air in the home. Passive Houses have integrated home ventilation system with heat recovery as standard. The systems work by removing used air from kitchens, bathrooms and other rooms with high pollution and humidity. At the same time unused fresh air is streamed through ducts and heated, which is then distributed to the living rooms, bedrooms and functional rooms.The highly efficient heat recovery systems have been specially developed for the use in Passive Houses. Whilst ensuring greater comfort and health in the home, the systems consume little electricity and produce little noise.With our newly appointed Certified Passive House Consultant, Beech Developments will continue to deliver the highest levels of comfort and energy efficiency to our homeowners without compromising on design.
