Press Release

NHBC FOUNDATION RELEASES SUITE OF SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH

2 November 2007

Continuing its focus on sustainability and the zero carbon agenda, NHBC’s independent research institution – the NHBC Foundation – has launched its latest suite of research supporting the industry in meeting the enormous challenges of legislative and regulatory change.

The research incorporates three important initiatives, tackling a range of the technical challenges facing the industry, and includes:
• “Climate Change and Innovation in House-building” – addressing risk management challenges from climate change.
• “Ground Source Heat Pumps” – looking at how to use these systems successfully.
• “Risks in Domestic Basement Construction” – discussing the specific issues raised by their construction.

Chair of the NHBC Foundation, Rt. Hon. Nick Raynsford MP, said: “Our research continues to provide the industry with much needed technical support and addresses critical issues where there is the greatest need for evidence-based findings.”

The NHBC Foundation is also undertaking further research focusing on microgeneration and renewable energy systems.  This research, due in November 2007, will outline the different types of technology currently available, detailing issues they present and their carbon saving benefits.

The NHBC Foundation has also commissioned a major survey of attitudes and understanding among consumers and builders on sustainability and zero carbon issues.  This significant undertaking will ensure consumers are engaged in the zero carbon debate.

Incorporating interviews with a large sample of consumers and more than 100 builders across the UK the research project is the largest in the industry specifically to address zero carbon and sustainability issues.  The findings of this research are due early in 2008.

Copies of all NHBC Foundation research documents are available to download as PDF files at http://www.nhbcfoundation.org/Projects/tabid/54/Default.aspx.