Osborne has a track record of delivering high performing energy efficient housing. A good example was our demonstration house at the BRE Innovation Park in Watford.
The key features of this house are:
- Structure erected in one and a half days, using Innovare's Structural Insulated Panel Systems (SIPS)
- Requires one third of the energy for heating a house built to 2006 Building Regulation standards
- Achieves a 40% reduction in carbon emissions
- Airtight to one tenth of Building Regulation standards
- Utilises a whole house heat recovery/ventilation system. The heat from exhaust air from kitchens and bathrooms is extracted via a heat exchanger and used to pre-heat incoming fresh air, it reduces the heat loss and hence reducing demand on the heating system
- Showcases smart technology throughout
- Achieves EcoHomes 'Excellent'
We have completed several schemes recently which showcase sustainable features and renewable energy technology:
Wandle Housing Association in Queens Road, Peckham:
On this flagship one hundred and fifty eight unit scheme, we have built eleven three-storey homes using 'SIPS'. These homes also have solar water heating systems incorporated, and four of the units will also be trialling grey water recycling. Also on site we are piloting ground source heat pumps, photo-voltaic roof panels and rainwater harvesting systems.
Downland Housing Association in Wyphurst Road, Cranleigh:
Included in this scheme for seventy nine units are thirteen homes built using the off-site 'SIPS' solution. The scheme finished in 2006, received an EcoHomes 'Very Good' rating. Our client is currently monitoring the energy usage of these units to assess how they compare with traditionally built homes.
London Borough of Croydon PFI:
A housing and community health complex for older people using a combined heat and power system - BioMass Boiler, to meet the borough's requirement for 10% renewable.
Guinness Trust in Selborne Square, Godstone:
Inclusion of solar thermal panels on the roofs.
Hyde Housing Association, Kender Landmark:
A green roof (Sedum) has been incorporated in the initial plans for this scheme.
On our first pilot scheme using 'SIPS' in Sompting for Southern Housing Group, one resident's gas bill for nine months was £60 - highlighting the excellent thermal performance these units achieve. Our uniquely skilled in-house technical team is also advising our clients on the current Code for Sustainable Homes.
We are delighted to be working with Raven Housing Trust on a project of two 'SIPS' houses in Mid Street, Surrey, which incorporate a menu of technologies from the original Osborne Demonstration House.
- Traditional elevations to blend in with location
- Built to achieve level 5 ot the new Code for Sustainable Homes
- Air tightness levels below 1.5 and 0.7 U value glazing
- Enhanced insulation values provided by SIPS
- Mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system
- Ground to air heat pump
- Solar panels for water heating
- Attenuation of the surface and storm water run-off
- Low flush WC's, shallow baths, low flow showers and air rated taps
Carbon Offset fund
To underline our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint as a company, we have set up a fund which can be used to support by a contribution research and development into sustainable projects. Our project with Raven Housing Trust at Mid Street has been supported with £10,000 from this fund.