Friday 14th August 2009
Cruden Visit Sweden for Sustainable Solutions
The up-coming Castlefields projects in Runcorn present a challenge in that our Partnering Client, Plus Dane Housing, require their next three phases of the development of achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 Accreditation.
One way of achieving the mandatory 44% reduction in CO2 is by using an internal Exhaust Air Source Heat Pump. Following meetings with manufacturer NIBE, Cruden's Contracts Manager David Woodward and Senior Estimator Steve Scott were invited over to Sweden to see how the units are made and how they can be incorporated into new buildings.
Most new homes built in Sweden over the last 30 years have utilised the air source technology for their primary heat source and so this is a tried and tested method.
The short trip was attended by other Contractors and Architects and involved a tour of the NIBE factory in Markaryd and a presentation of the NIBE product range and examples of how they are used in Sweden. Products covered included Ground Source Heat Pumps in addition to their internal and external air source heat pumps.
This was followed by a trip to a new build housing site near Helsingborg which have internal heat pumps installed. We were briefed on how new build housing in Sweden is designed to accommodate modern living whilst overcoming the temperature extremes variances experienced there.
The final part of the trip was to Malmo, a city undergoing a transformation from an industrial city to one of learning and embracing of new technology from its transport network to its new buildings. Its waterfront, a former shipyard and docks, has been redeveloped to reflect this by achieving higher insulation standards, meeting high sustainability targets and the creation of home-zones for more of a community based way of life.
The EASHP's are now being considered for the future Plus Dane Group schemes, with layout options being developed to show how they can be incorporated into their homes.
Other News:
- A Big Thanks From St Georges School and Local Residents in Atherton
- Topping Out £7.9m Community Village for Belong
- Cruden Get HAPPI
- Sharing Best Practice with the Liverpool Best Practice Club