Homebuilder launches pioneering net-zero carbon emitting housing development
An environmentally conscious homebuilder is leading the way in sustainable housing after revealing plans for its first net-zero carbon emitting development.
Sixteen houses fully powered by renewable sources and smart technology will be built in the village of Calthwaite by successful Cumbria-based housebuilder Genesis Homes as part of its EcoGen project.
The project is part of the business’ ongoing commitment to significantly reduce household emissions, with 40 per cent of UK carbon emissions attributed to households.
Nicky Gordon, the Managing Director of Genesis Homes and who has led the EcoGen project, said: “We are endeavouring to be the best we possibly can in our practices and this development underlines our serious commitment to tackling the climate crisis.
“We are leading the way in the sustainable house building sector because we feel passionate about reducing our impact on the environment, and we are encouraging our customers to join us on this journey.
“For us, this is just the starting point in our commitment to sustainable living and we are excited to see how this pioneering project will shape our long-term business plan.
“By building these homes, we are removing harmful carbon emissions from households while significantly reducing energy costs for the homeowner so we regard this development as a win-win situation.”
Genesis Homes Managing Director Nicky Gordon pictured with plans for 16 low carbon net-zero emitting homes for the village of Calthwaite, in Cumbria.
By introducing the greener homes, more than 850 tonnes of carbon emissions will be saved over a 10-year period, compared to a traditional ‘grid and gas’ development of the same size.
Every net zero emitting home will have…
Solar photovoltaic panels on the roof that will obtain energy from daylight to power the home;
A solar assisted heat pump, powered by a thermodynamic panel, which provides hot water storage for the dwelling;
A small, powerful battery unit that will be charged predominantly from the electricity grid, using 100% green tariff energy, during off-peak, low-cost hours;
Infrared heating panels which convert electricity into radiant heating will be installed in each room;
Electric vehicle charging points will be installed to encourage home buyers to switch to more environmentally friendly modes of transport;
A smart home system managed through an integrated app which allows the management of all parts of the house technology, from managing the multiple thermostats, to battery and energy usage, and scheduling of vehicle charging;
Since the company was formed five years ago, Genesis Homes has introduced energy efficient features to all its homes. All properties are already built to very strong building standards for thermal efficiency and air tightness.
Among the many green features of the existing homes are energy efficient LED lighting, smart energy meters, dual flush toilets, water saving shower heads, A-rated boilers and appliances.
The first EcoGen development cements the company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions further and allows it to build a platform to construct further low carbon, net-zero emitting homes in the future.
Nicky added: “This is an ongoing project and the net-zero emitting homes at Calthwaite are a line in the sand in our commitment to our sustainability agenda.
“We are now working on a considerable study into the embodied carbons in our construction and expect to make further improvements to how we build in the coming months.
“We see the EcoGen project as an opportunity to create an emphasis on wellbeing, and will be looking to adapt our development objectives further in the future to combine our energy efficiency home specification with wider emphasis on biodiversity features.
“It’s such an exciting and progressive time in the business to make a real change in the housing landscape.”
To coincide with the launch of EcoGen Homes, a competition to win £630 worth of smart tech gadgets for the home will be held. The package includes an Amazon Echo Show 8, Amazon Echo Dot, Amazon Echo Dot Kids, Amazon Echo Flex, two Amazon Smart Plugs, a Ring doorbell, Philips Hue Go Light and Philips Hue Starter Kit 2 Bulb Pack.
Details of how to enter can be found on Genesis Homes’ social media channels.
The sustainable homes in Calthwaite are now on the market with construction under way and the first home expected to be completed in the summer.
Genesis Homes Managing Director Nicky Gordon pictured with plans for 16 low carbon net-zero emitting homes for the village of Calthwaite, in Cumbria.
ABOUT
The EcoGen project by Genesis Homes was created in 2022 with the aim of building low carbon net-zero emitting houses to reduce the impact that households have on the planet. Key features of the homes include: being connected to the electricity grid; battery storage; solar photovoltaic panels with solar assisted heat pumps; infrared heating; electric vehicle charging points; smart home managements.
Its parent company, Genesis Homes was founded in 2017 by Nicky Gordon and two business partners, initially to build on sites they owned in Wigton and Brigham.
Genesis Homes has completed developments in Wigton, Brigham, Burgh-by-Sands, Cumwhinton, Armathwaite, Hackthorpe and Rheda North Park, with plans to create sites in Penrith, Etterby, Lazonby and Stainburn in the pipeline. The company has completed more than 250 homes to date, in just four years since its first house sale.
In April 2021, Genesis Homes continued its expansion by acquiring south Cumbrian house builder Russell Armer Homes, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. The deal brought together two of the North West’s leading housing developers.
The combined group is on target to produce 175 homes this financial year, with a development pipeline onsite to achieve more than 850 homes over the next four years.
