ZEB 1

3 Bedroom homes with target of a net Zero Energy Bill

Our mission in 2013, and the basis of  ZEB 1 (our first Zero Energy Bill home project), was to demonstrate that it was commercially viable to build a regular house with a net zero energy bill; that is one where revenue from micro-generation counteracts any energy costs . The project was based on:

• 8 terraced/semi detached 3 bedroom homes adapted to meet a modelled ZEB performance through
  • Fabric – thicker walls, more insulation
  • Energy generation – PVT electricity generation

• 2 standard unaltered 3 bedroom homes to act as the control benchmark
• All 10 homes were fitted with LightwaveRF home automation and monitoring equipment

The homes were completed and sold, achieving a 9% price premium.  However, there were multiple build quality problems resulting in below expected performance, often referred to as the Performance Gap. 

The homes have shown significantly reduced energy bills with the best showing a 65% reduction from the control home annual costs and Electric Corby CIC, with our partners, has gained significant learning and experience which is now being applied to our next project.

The home automation system in each house has also not only enabled occupiers to remotely control and manage their homes lighting, appliances, heating and hot water, but has provided crucial energy data to our EU District of the Future project. In turn this has enable Electric Corby CIC to develop the next phase of our Community Energy initiative for Corby.