Sustainability and Responsibility

After the 2022 COP 27 summit we have spent time to look at and improve our efforts towards sustainability and responsibility. These are two things that are very important to us, and we believe it should be celebrated when achieved. As well as building more energy efficient new build homes, we are always looking to improve sustainable practice wherever possible.

“Never before have we had such an awareness of what we are doing to the planet, and never before have we had the power to do something about that” – Sir David Attenborough

Air Source Heat Pumps

In 2013 Clarendon Homes built and relocated our HQ to Clarendon House in Harrietsham, and installed our first air-source heat pump. Since then we have used heat pumps on most of our developments and continue to do so.

Air source heat pumps are highly versatile and compatible whether they are used in a small flat or a large property as they work well to reduce C02 emissions, lower costs and provide sustainable heating almost all year round. With an A++ Energy Rating Level the Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan air source heat pump is very environmentally friendly, and will soon become one of the primary sources of heating. With central Government still supporting their installation through RH1 (Renewable Heat Incentive) and CHG (Clean Heat Grant) in 2022.

Our Weavers Park development in Headcorn was featured as a case study on the Mitsubishi website, emphasising our dedication to sustainability.

Resources

The COP 27 summit at the end of 2022 highlighted many key goals we need to reach to help fight climate change.

Here at Clarendon Homes, we looked through the goals and identified what we do to help fight climate change.

• Curtail deforestation
• Speed up the switch to electric vehicles
• Encourage investment in renewables.

An example of this is our use of Timber, which is is a naturally renewable and sustainable material, especially when compared to alternatives such as brick, and steel. Managed forests ensure trees are planted and in 25 -80 years they will grow back, making timber renewable as it will help curtail deforestation.

Electric Car Charging Points

Speeding up the switch to electric vehicles was highlighted as a goal at COP 26 and COP 27. Therefore, we install electric car charging points in our new developments.

Electric cars emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants than petrol or diesel cars, making them better for the environment. By installing Electric charging points at our developments, we are helping to facilitate this change towards more sustainable driving.

Solar Panels

In some of our properties, such as Churchfields phase 2, we have used solar panels. Solar panels are known to be clean as they derive their energy from the sun. Solar panels help to fight greenhouse gas emissions and unlike traditional forms of energy, they do not need or depend on the use of fossil fuels. Without the unnecessary burning of fossil fuels, we can contribute to cutting out the harmful gases which are the primary reason for air pollution.

Energy Saving Fittings

The Energy saving trust explains that if the average UK household replaced all of their bulbs with LEDs, it would cost about £100 and save about £40 a year on bills. This might not sound like a massive saving, but if an LED lightbulb is left on 7 hours a day it would last around 10 years.

The name says it all; energy saving bulbs are good for the environment because they are particularly effective at saving energy. LED Lighting can achieve energy saving of 50-70% compared to older less efficient light bulbs.

The benefits don’t stop there! For every traditional halogen bulb you switch to a similar LED bulb you could save around 5kg of CO2 per year.

Got any questions or feedback on the blog? Or maybe a topic you would like to be covered in a future blog? Email caitlin.willis@clarendonhomes.co.uk today, I would love to hear from you!

To find out more about what’s included within our homes, visit The Clarendon Standard.