Costing the Earth

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Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Fresh ideas from the sharpest minds working toward a cleaner, greener planet

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Costing the Earth: Eco Homes Now!

Homes Fit For 2050

Eco Homes Now!

BBC Radio 4 - Costing the Earth, Eco Homes Now!

Why aren't all the new homes being built meeting the lowest carbon impact?

Millions of new homes are being built to meet housing demand in the UK. So why aren't they all low-carbon, energy and water efficient? Tom Heap asks what is the hold up?

The demand for housing is pushing through developments of millions of new build homes. So why aren't these all being built to the best energy efficiency standards possible with the technology that's now available? Tom Heap reveals how the scrapping of zero carbon homes has meant years of construction has not had to meet the higher standards hoped for. The new Future Homes Standard has just been consulted on but Tom Heap hears it's not just missing the mark for some groups but is at risk of reducing some standards altogether. 

Homes now come with an EPC - an Energy Performance Certificate - to test how reliable they are Tom trains thermal cameras onto a new build house to reveal any leaks or hidden short cuts that may be lurking behind the walls.

Tom also gets a vision of the future - where clever design on village scale and with artificial intelligence could see us living in a low carbon way without even having to think too hard about it. 

Presented by Tom Heap 
Producer: Anne-Marie Bullock.

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