Our homes are responsible for a significant part of total human CO2 emissions. Homes are long lasting constructions, designed to last at least 50 to 100 years. This being the case, the percentage replaced each year is relatively low. Any measures taken to cut the emissions of this sector must therefore be applied both to improved energy standards for new homes, and to retrofitting old homes for better energy efficiency. For both old and new homes, as far as possible Renewable Energy technologies should be added to provide at least a proportion of the energy required to service the home. As with the Infrastructure sector, embedded CO2 is also a consideration to the home sector.

‘We often forget that supplying water requires a significant amount of energy, using a spray tap for hand washing can cut water use by as much as 80%.’

One of the barriers to widespread implementation of low carbon measures in the housing sector is a perception that such measures are expensive. This is at best a half truth, with some studies showing that it is possible to build very efficient housing at only a very small price premium to conventional build, a cost which would almost disappear if all housing were built to the improved standards. Taking into account the sum of mortgage payments and running cost differential the high efficiency homes cost significantly less each month. We intend to work together with others to further reduce the cost of “cleaning up” the housing sector and to promote a rapid change in attitudes and practice.

Home Technical Overview
Globally, residential accommodation is responsible for a very significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and also for a significant part of the urban heat island effect affecting major cities worldwide.

‘Combined heat and power significantly reduces the amount of fuel required to provide these two vital services and can be supplied centrally using district heating or generated in each individual house.’

C-Questor, through its home sector, hopes to mitigate these effects, and will work to facilitate:
1. Domestic renewable energy technologies such as solar hot water, photovoltaic electricity, and where appropriate, domestic wind energy, and domestic bio-digesters.
2. Energy efficiency and good insulation to reduce the demand for heat and electricity.
3. Systems for district combined heat and power – reducing significantly the CO2 intensity of providing heat and electricity.
4. Efficient water use and recycling of water.
5. Effective management and minimisation of domestic waste.
6. The retention of plants particularly trees in the urban environment so as to both absorb and breakdown pollution, and to mitigate by transpiration the urban heat island effect.

Specific Intentions
In many parts of the world, energy and water consumption in the domestic setting are excessively high for the purposes served by that energy and water. C-Questor has no desire to remove amenity from residential accommodation, but rather wishes to ensure that such amenity is provided at the least possible environmental cost. For example, it is technically possible to build houses in Arctic Canada which remain comfortably warm without active heating providing a normal level of activity takes place inside. In other regions, houses exist which collect rainwater from the roof, and which recycle grey water for non-potable applications.

These approaches, combined with water efficient fittings, can greatly reduce demand for water from the public supply. In warmer climates, a combination of high thermal mass materials (to damp out day / night indoor temperature differences), good insulation, white paint, significant roof overhangs, and well planned natural ventilation can ensure comfort without air conditioning. These, combined with appropriate low carbon energy sources, can greatly reduce the climate impact of our cities, and C-Questor is determined to facilitate this change.