The first net zero carbon-enabled home for CALA
At their Hampton Lakes development in Peterborough, CALA Homes has completed its first net zero carbon-enabled home, which will potentially use 95% less primary energy than a regular CALA home built to current regulations.
The four-bedroom property will soon be occupied, allowing the developer to monitor its technical viability and user experience of sustainable technologies in a real-life setting. Throughout the summer and winter months, CALA will gather qualitative feedback from its residents.
What will the home include?
The project incorporates technologies that have already been trialled and implemented at CALA sites across the UK in partnership with subcontractors. These features were also informed by desktop studies and initial comparative testing against the same CALA house type built according to current Building Regulations.
Constructed using modern methods, the Hampton Lakes home includes a timber frame, low-carbon bricks, triple glazing, and enhanced insulation.
Other home features include an air source heat pump, photovoltaic (PV) panels, a PV hot water diverter, an aerated shower, battery storage, smart lighting, waste water heat recovery, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.
Giving back to nature
CALA stated that the project underscores its commitment to sustainable construction and will test its net zero principles, providing essential learning to inform CALA future approach. This initiative supports the housebuilder’s goal of delivering operationally net zero-enabled homes by 2030 and implementing more wildlife strategies to ensure the surrounding habitats are preserved.
Wildlife strategies include:
- Bird and bat boxes
- Bug hotels
- Rain gardens
- Dedicated vegetable patch
