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Scottish homes becoming greener
Posted: 04/01/2007
Scots are living in greener homes, according to a recent report by the Executive. With stricter environmental rules for new housing and the rising cost of fuel, the proportion of houses rated "good" under national green ratings has risen from 31 per cent in 2003-4 to 40 per cent in 2004-5.
Improvements in energy efficiency such as insulation and the use of cleaner fuels like wood has resulted in a 12 per cent fall in total emissions. The Executive has also issued a report detailing green targets and policies for public agencies.
And in line with this general greenwards trend, East Lothian Housing Association is digging deep to heat a new development using ground source heat pump technology.
The £6.4 million development at West Windygoul, on the outskirts of Tranent, will use the naturally occuring heat from the earth to provide hot water and heating in the 54 homes. Water will be pumped through a system of pipes in boreholes, where ground temperature heats it to 11 degrees centigrade.
A compressor boosts the temperature to 45 degrees before the heat is transferred to the underfloor heating and hot water tank. Each kilowatt of energy used in the system will normally produce three to four times the energy delivered, leading to lower fuel bills and reduced carbon dioxide emissions.
The Housing Association’s main aim is to provide good quality affordable rented housing in towns and villages throughout East Lothian to those in the greatest housing need, who cannot meet their need by any other means. It also has a small number of supported units.
"We are trying to make our homes as energy efficient as possible. It's something that has been used in Scotland before, but this is very much one of the first times," said a spokesman for the Association. "This is quite a flagship development for us."
The development is backed by grant funding of £4.5m from Communities Scotland.
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