You are here:

Energy

Energy

lounge
Pia Design: Pond Place - Photography: Mary Wadsworth

Operational energy 

Operational energy is the energy used to heat, cool, light and power a building. While embodied carbon in materials is increasingly discussed within the design industry, operational energy often represents the largest environmental impact and can significantly influence running costs. Embodied energy within materials and products also contributes to a building's overall environmental footprint.

Energy efficiency 

Energy efficiency is influenced by many factors, from building fabric and insulation to the systems, appliances and controls specified within it. Small decisions made throughout the design process can collectively have a significant impact on long-term energy consumption.

Facts

  • Heating and hot water account for approximately 80% of household energy use in a typical UK home
  • Appliances account for around 40% of household electricity consumption.
  • Lighting controls that dim or switch lights in response to daylight levels can reduce lighting energy consumption by between 20–60%.
  • Air Source Heat Pumps can typically produce three to four units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed.
  • Household consumption is responsible for 72% of global greenhouse gas emissions (SOURCE).
  • The UK’s housing stock is among the least energy-efficient in Europe, with homes losing heat up to three times faster than those in continental Europe, contributing to higher energy costs and colder homes (source).

Appliances 

Energy-efficient appliances, combined with good maintenance, repairability and long product lifespans, can reduce both operational energy use and waste.

Choose efficient, durable appliances 

Appliances account for a significant proportion of household electricity consumption, making specification an important factor in operational energy performance. High energy-efficiency ratings, good repairability and readily available spare parts can reduce environmental impacts and extend product lifespan.

Maintain appliances properly 

Appropriate installation, ventilation and regular maintenance can improve performance and help appliances operate efficiently for longer.

Consider the whole lifecycle 

When specifying or replacing appliances, consider how they can be reused, repaired or recycled at the end of their life.

Building Maintenance and Longevity 

Regular maintenance, accessible systems and whole-life thinking can improve performance, extend building lifespan and reduce resource consumption over time.

Make maintenance easy

Accessible systems, regular servicing and clear maintenance information help buildings perform as intended, particularly where mechanical systems, smart technologies and renewable energy equipment are involved.

Consider whole-life costs

Looking beyond installation costs alone often delivers better environmental and financial outcomes. Flexible spaces, adaptable layouts and durable materials can also reduce the need for future alterations and associated resource use.

Heating and Cooling

Heating, cooling and hot water systems are among the largest consumers of energy in most buildings, making building performance and system efficiency key considerations. Heating, cooling and hot water systems are among the largest consumers of energy within most buildings. Insulation, airtightness, glazing, solar shading and ventilation all influence heating and cooling demand. Maintenance, system upgrades and major renovations can create opportunities to improve efficiency. Maintenance and upgrades to existing systems can often improve efficiency, while major renovation projects may present opportunities to adopt alternative heating and cooling strategies.

Home Automation and Smart Controls

Smart technologies can optimise heating, cooling, lighting and shading systems, helping buildings operate more efficiently and reducing unnecessary energy use.

Automate building systems 

Heating controls can respond to occupancy patterns and weather conditions, while automated blinds and presence sensors help reduce unnecessary energy use.

Integrate controls and monitoring 

Whole-house automation systems can coordinate heating, cooling, lighting and shading controls, while smart monitoring can identify maintenance issues before they affect performance. 

Lighting

Maximising natural daylight and specifying efficient LED lighting, sensors and controls can reduce electricity consumption while improving occupant comfort and wellbeing.

LED lighting is now the preferred solution for both new-build and refurbishment projects following the UK phase-out of most halogen and fluorescent lamps. LEDs use less energy, last longer and contain no mercury.

Longevity and repairability of fittings are important considerations, helping to reduce waste and replacement cycles over the life of a project (SOURCE).

bathroom
Pia Design: Pond Place - Photography: Mary Wadsworth

Reducing Energy Demand 

The cleanest energy is often the energy that is never used. Improvements to insulation, airtightness, glazing, ventilation and solar shading can significantly reduce a building's energy requirements. A fabric-first approach focuses on insulation, airtightness, glazing, ventilation and solar shading to reduce heating and cooling demand before renewable technologies are considered. Energy surveys can help identify heat loss and target improvements where they will have the greatest impact. Retaining and upgrading existing buildings can often be more sustainable than demolition and rebuild, preserving embodied carbon while reducing waste.

Renewable Technologies 

Technologies such as Air Source Heat Pumps and solar photovoltaic panels can help reduce operational carbon emissions, particularly when combined with a fabric-first approach.

Renewable technologies 

Can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower operational carbon emissions.

Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) 

Are becoming increasingly common in UK homes. They extract heat from the outside air and transfer it into the building's heating and hot water systems. Their performance depends on factors such as insulation levels, heating systems and external temperatures.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels 

Convert sunlight into electricity and can continue generating power even on overcast days. Performance is influenced by roof orientation, shading and available surface area, while battery storage can help maximise on-site use.

A fabric first approach 

To renewable technologies that prioritises insulation, airtightness, shading and efficient building performance is the most effective. Installation costs can be significant, although government grants and incentive schemes may help reduce upfront expenditure.

Renewable electricity tariffs 

Can provide an alternative route to reducing operational carbon emissions where on-site renewable generation is not feasible.

Use Sustainable Building Frameworks

A number of recognised frameworks provide guidance and benchmarking for sustainable building performance. These include UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, SKA Rating, BREEAM, WELL Building Standard, Zero Energy Certification and Passivhaus certification.  Sustainable building frameworks provide useful benchmarks for improving environmental performance. While each system has a different focus, all encourage a more holistic approach to building performance, occupant wellbeing and resource efficiency.

kitchen
Pia Design: Pond Place - Photography: Mary Wadsworth

Water Use

Reducing water consumption also reduces the energy required to heat water. Low-flow fittings, aerators and leak-detection systems can help minimise waste. Water-saving fittings can reduce both water consumption and the energy required to heat water. Water consumption and energy consumption are closely linked, particularly where hot water is concerned. Low-flow taps, aerators, efficient shower fittings and dual-flush toilets can significantly reduce water demand without compromising user experience. Smart controls, leak-detection systems and water monitoring technologies can further improve efficiency and reduce waste. Embodied water use should also be considered, as some materials, such as uncertified cotton, can require significant quantities of water during production.

Resources

Back to Considerations