It is fair to say that we are living in uncertain times. With so many unanswered questions and an economy that is on a knife-edge, it would be all too easy for us to batten down the hatches.
A better representation of home energy costs in our mortgage ‘affordability’ calculations looks like it might be closer to reality than ever before. This means the calculations undertaken to assess what borrowers can afford to repay each month, and therefore the total amount they can borrow, will have better estimations of their fuel costs considered. … Continue reading “How “green” mortgages could drive energy efficiency in both new and existing homes”
Heating accounts for nearly half of final energy consumption in the UK (48% in 2013) and 78% of non-transport energy use (DECC, 2013). Heat is a utility, like water, gas, and electricity. Communal or district heating systems are becoming more common and these involve the centralised generation of heat and the distribution of this heat … Continue reading “Heat metering”
BRE Global technical author Corinne Williams answers 5 questions about her new publication Assessing the performance of Phase Change Materials in buildings. Question 1: Did you have to test several cocktails during the writing of this publication? No! The ice cube example is a simple way to explain how PCMs work. Ice is a commonly used … Continue reading “5 questions about Phase Change Materials (including one about cocktails)”
More than 11,000 homes are now registered for assessment under the Home Quality Mark.
BRE co-funds Stratego project which introduces integrated approach across Europe while providing local and national authorities with actionable heating strategies and plans BRE’s strategic energy team, together with the Scottish Government, the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Euroheat & Power and twelve other European partners, have been scrutinising a new integrated approach to the … Continue reading “BRE supporting strategic heating plans for local & national authorities”
[View the story “UK Construction Week 2016” on Storify]
As an engineer, I always think about how we can improve the way things are done. One of the areas that interested me during university was energy and how we can use and produce it more sustainably. Initially, I thought energy use in transport would be where my career would lead. However after seeing the … Continue reading “My Construction Role Model: Elon Musk and energy innovation”
Although relatively new to Environmental Technology Verification (ETV), BRE Global has established a firm foundation in this area, working with a number of companies that are now nearly ready to field-test their new products. We asked John Holden of BRE Global about the company’s ETV scheme. Q. Tell us about BRE Global and your areas … Continue reading “Engaging with environmental innovators – BRE Global’s ETV scheme”
Next week at the Solar PV Summit, BRE will be launching a certification scheme for large scale solar – an area of the UK solar market that is not currently regulated for installation quality. The certification scheme will provide an ongoing impartial assessment of solar PV installations above 50kW. The purpose of the scheme is … Continue reading “Solar assurance the BRE way”
