GHA, PRP and City Housing to build prototype energy efficient homes

Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) has teamed up with architects PRP and City Building to build four prototype houses which cost just £100 a year for heating and hot water.

The four three-bedroom, semi-detached houses are currently under construction at City Building’s Skills Academy in Laurieston, Glasgow and will be completed in May.

Once the houses are fully tested, it is planned that more will be built for GHA tenants. A typical three-bedroom home would usually cost around £1100 per year to heat.

The two blocks of semi-detached homes are built in alternative forms of wall construction. House Type 1 has a thin bed insulating hollow clay         block construction with external wall insulation and render finish and House Type 2 comprises a highly-insulated, locally-sourced timber frame with pre-manufactured floor and roof cassettes, with external walls in facing brick.

Key features contributing to the low energy bills include high levels of insulation in both forms of construction, windows and sun rooms to suit orientation to capture the energy of the sun, with details to avoid overheating and simple forms of construction for ease of construction and to minimise heat loss and use of energy.

Also, off-site prefabricated roof and floor panels to speed up construction, locally-sourced or assembled materials including windows, pre-manufactured floor and roof cassettes, and usable insulated roof space to provide room in the attic at minimum cost.

Lastly, efficient heating system and user-friendly controls, solar thermal panels on the roof to contribute to water heating and educating residents on how best to benefit from special features of their homes.

Jim Sneddon, GHA’s Executive Director of Regeneration, said: "This simple, cost-effective design for an energy-efficient home will help families enjoy a better quality of life."

"We want to provide the best and greenest housing which benefits our tenants and the environment."

Further information:
GHA