In the same week that it was announced that the UK’s first carbon neutral house had been built near Bridgend, the Cameron government slipped through the fact that they were abandoning their pledge to build low carbon houses.
Pippa Bartolotti, Wales Green Party leader commented, “ Building houses so that they create more power than they use is the one sure way to take everyone out of fuel poverty. These houses are so well designed and insulated that fuel bills can be as little as £12 a year. In actual fact we are already aware that zero carbon houses have reduced fuel bills down to £8 a year”
“Whilst pushing against the will of the people for fracking operations, the Tory Government is at the same time forcing us to use more fossil fuel energy and pay more for our heating bills through poor housebuilding standards. We don’t need fracking and we don’t need frightening fuel bills.”
The Energy Saving Trust say Welsh building regs are devolved but it’s not a power the Welsh Government has taken advantage of.
Pippa Bartolotti said, “Wales can and should take the lead in reducing fuel bills in new build homes, and they should start with social housing where the savings will make the most difference to ordinary people. According to Professor Phil Jones at Cardiff School of Architecture, these houses cost no more to build than their equivalent high energy homes. It’s a no brainer!”
The Chartered Institute of Housing also promotes carbon neutral building standards, also known as Passivhaus.
The Wales Leader added “It is almost unbelievable that the Welsh Government has made no announcement on this. It is within their power to move away from England on this matter and build to a standard already widely used on the continent. Greens know that with low fuel consumption comes low CO2 emissions and tiny fuel bills. It’s a win-win.”