Solatube® Daylighting Systems ... in housing
There are many reasons for the increased interest in daylighting in the home, the high cost of fossil fuels and the realization that these resources have a finite life are probably the most forceful arguments, but in the home environment the 'human factor' is important too.
For homebuilders, sustainability is high on the agenda too; the government has confirmed that a rating against the BREEAM Code for Sustainable Homes is mandatory for new homes in England. And BRE Global is developing a new standard to enable the sustainable refurbishment of existing housing, entitled BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment.
Whether for reasons of aesthetics or sustainability, Solatube® Daylighting Systems have brought the benefits of natural light to thousands of homes across the UK.
BREEAM Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code measures the sustainability of a new home against nine categories of sustainable design, rating the 'whole home' as a complete package. The Code sets minimum standards for energy and water use at each level and, within England, replaces the EcoHomes scheme, developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE).
BRE Global is developing a new standard to enable the sustainable refurbishment of existing housing, entitled BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment. Due to launch in 2010, the standard aims to provide a single standard in order to assess the environmental performance of housing refurbishment works.
In addition to the issues covered by Ecohomes and CSH, BREEAM Multi-residential looks at communal services and the management of communal areas within the building such as catering facilities, lounges, dining rooms, health and leisure areas, offices, meeting rooms and other support areas such as laundry facilities.
BREEAM recognises the benefits
of tubular daylighting devices which help to meet the requirements
under the Health and Well-being Section HW01 and the
Energy Section E01.
For more information please visit www.breeam.org
