Ealing Family Housing Association
Amersham Road, Reading

Scheme Summary
The scheme comprises 190 affordable homes for rent and shared ownership, a community centre, shop, play areas and allotments. It was built in partnership with Reading Borough Council and Ujima and Northcote Housing Associations. 50 of the homes are built to enhanced energy efficient specifications. Completed 1998.

Scheme details

The project was developed to reduce the environmental impact, in terms of material use and energy consumption, of 50 new homes. It was part of a European project to promote solar design in housing. The project aimed to test and develop ideas for reliable energy sources to be adapted and used in future European developments.

Ealing Family HA are part of Solar Urban New Housing (SUNH) network to exchange ideas and good practice. The project was part funded by a THERMIE grant

Environmental Features
The development achieved the BRE's Environmental Standard Award (now EcoHomes). The award is judged on a credit system. The following credits were achieved:

 
Mandatory credits

Optional credits

Global issues and use of resources:

  • maximum CO2 emissions:
    less than 50m2: 31kg/m2/yr
    50-100m2: 30kg/m2/yr
    more than 100m2: 29kg/m2/yr
  • all insulation materials with an ozone depletion potential of 0.10 or less
  • all solid timber from well-managed regulated sources or suitable reused timber
  • all timber panel products from well managed regulated sources or suitable reused timber
  • storage containers for recyclable household waste.

Indoor issues:

  • formaldehyde emissions minimised, timber treated only where necessary and always treated industrially prior to use; no asbestos and no added lead in paint.

Global issues and use of resources:

  • maximum CO2 emissions:
    • less than 50m2: 21kg/m2/yr
    50-100m2: 19kg/m2/yr
    more than 100m2: 17kg/m2/yr
  • all insulation materials with an ozone depletion potential of zero
  • low energy lighting
  • provision of gas cooking point
  • at least 50% recycled or reused materials in walls
  • at least 50% recycled or reused materials in roof covering
  • demolition material for fill and hardcore
  • timber frame construction

Local issues:

  • ecological value of site enhanced
  • WCs with purpose-designed maximum 6 litre flush
  • rainwater butt

Indoor issues:

  • provision of house log book

 

The THERMIE funded houses also included:

  • 250mm cellulose (recycled newspaper) insulation to roofs.
  • Passive ventilation to the airtight homes.
  • Double glazed softwood frame windows.

Water conservation features include low flush 6 litre WCs and rain water butts to all rented units.

Space and water heating is provided for in 2 different ways enabling a comparison of efficiency. 26 homes have Vaillant gas combination boilers installed. 24 homes have solar pre-heated hot water systems and highly efficient gas condensing boilers with storage tanks.

All homes have low energy light bulbs fitted.

The contractor recycled 67% of materials produced from the whole site. The homes are highly energy efficient, using lower levels of energy for heating and lighting than similar properties. They cost less to run for families on low incomes, stay warmer and have fewer problems with condensation. They achieved a SAP of 96-100 and NHER 10.

Costs and Savings
The additional costs of the innovative energy efficiency features were funded by a THERMIE grant approved in 1996. Work cost £2,700 per unit. The additional Environmental Standard requirements cost an extra £325 per home.

Developer's Comments

Following a detailed 24 month monitoring exercise on the 50 THERMIE homes, overall gas consumption has been reduced by an average 31% as a result of these initiatives. Gas bills for these 50 houses have been reduced by an average £5.67 per week compared with costs for a Building Regulations approved house in 1996 (EC contract approval date).

The solar contribution to the supply of hot water averaged 57%, based upon the detailed monitoring on three THERMIE houses. Amersham Road has been selected as a Construction Best Practice Programme Case Study demonstrating the achievement of sustainable construction and respect for people.

Contact: Phil Thompson, Development Manager, Ealing Family Housing Association, St James' House, 105 Ð113 Broadway, West Ealing, London W13 9BE
Tel: 020 8621 9841 Fax: 020 8840 9217
Email: phil.thompson@efha.org.uk
Website: www.efha.org.uk