Super E sets pace in low-energy housing in the UK

The Government of Canada has reported the completion of 500 Super E energy-efficient houses in the UK, which it claims to be more than all the alternative eco-housing systems such as PassivHaus, Huf Haus, Light House, BedZed and RuralZed, combined. The 500 milestone was reached by Berkeley Homes in partnership with BSW Alouette. Jeff Culp of Super E comments, ‘500 homes may not seem like a lot when compared to the overall construction industry in the UK, but this is misleading as the industry has only recently started to experiment with energy-efficient systems. To reach 500 homes in such a relatively short space of time is a huge achievement that we are very proud of.’ When Super E arrive in the UK in 2000, it faced a big challenge. Attitudes toward construction in the UK seemed inflexible, and issues related to sustainable construction were not even on the radar. Jeff Culp observes, ‘There is a great deal more that we would like to see happen as far as legislation in the UK goes. The new code for sustainable homes is still lacking in a number of areas pertaining to what constitutes a healthy home. The main thing is that there is debate and awareness, and we are very happy to have played a part in that.’

Related links:

• www.super-e.com/