10 sustainability installations and technologies for developers and builders
Monday 4th August 2025
Builders and developers in the UK are increasingly incorporating a range of ‘greener’ installations and technologies to meet growing demand, comply with evolving regulations like the Future Homes Standard, and enhance the long-term sustainability and energy efficiency of homes. Here are 10 key options, together with relevant weblinks for further information:
1. Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs): These extract heat from the outside air to provide heating and hot water, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels. https://www.gov.uk/apply-great-british-insulation-scheme – other useful information can be found via manufacturers like Daikin or Mitsubishi Electric, or industry bodies like the Heat Pump Association.
2. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels with Battery Storage: PV panels generate electricity from sunlight, and integrating a battery allows homeowners to store excess energy for use when the sun isn’t shining, maximising self-consumption and reducing reliance on the grid. https://www.fmb.org.uk/homepicks/solar-panels/cost-of-solar-panels/ and https://www.solarwatt.co.uk/knowledge-base/home-energy-management-systems
3. Enhanced Insulation and Airtightness (Passivhaus Principles): Going beyond basic building regulations to create a highly insulated and exceptionally airtight building envelope, dramatically reducing heat loss and energy demand for heating. This is central to the Passivhaus standard. https://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/
4. Rainwater Harvesting Systems: Collecting and storing rainwater from roofs for non-potable uses like flushing toilets, watering gardens, and washing clothes, thereby reducing mains water consumption. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rainwater-harvesting-regulatory-position-statement/rainwater-harvesting-regulatory-position-statement
5. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS): Incorporating features like permeable paving, rain gardens, and swales to manage surface water runoff naturally, reducing flood risk and often enhancing local biodiversity. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-standards-for-sustainable-drainage-systems/national-standards-for-sustainable-drainage-systems-suds
6. Greywater Recycling Systems: Treating wastewater from baths, showers, and washing machines for reuse in non-potable applications like toilet flushing and garden irrigation. https://www.edie.net/definition/greywater-recycling/
7. High-Performance Triple Glazing: While double glazing is standard, triple glazing offers superior thermal insulation, further reducing heat loss through windows and improving comfort. https://www.norrsken.co.uk/newsitem/future-homes-standard-guide
8. Smart Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS): These systems monitor and control a home’s energy consumption in real-time, optimising the use of renewable energy, managing appliances, and potentially interacting with smart tariffs to reduce costs. https://www.solarwatt.co.uk/knowledge-base/home-energy-management-systems and https://www.mrisoftware.com/uk/blog/what-is-smart-energy-management/
9. Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR): Essential for highly airtight homes, MVHR systems extract stale air and supply fresh filtered air while recovering up to 90% of the heat from the outgoing air. https://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/
10. Use of Sustainable and Locally Sourced Building Materials: Prioritising materials with lower embodied carbon, such as recycled content, natural insulation (hemp, wood fibre), and timber from sustainable sources. https://www.ecomerchant.co.uk/ and https://naturalbuildingstore.com/ and https://fsc.org/en
These approaches, often combined, contribute significantly to creating homes that are not only more environmentally friendly but also more comfortable and cost-effective to run for their occupants.