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Recently living in an ever-uncertain world has become the new normal. Currently we are facing up to the word “crisis” on a far too regular basis. The “cost of living” crisis, due to sharp rise of energy prices, has been added onto the health and well-being crisis, just at the point we are getting out of the pandemic and looking to find our BREXIT feet.

The old cliché of “energy efficiency” therefore has become more relevant in today’s world. The built sector needs to play its part – all new builds should focus on increased building energy efficiency, on site renewable energy and lesser embodied carbon emissions. Net zero not only benefits the planet and helps abate climate change but they reduce ongoing costs for the occupants. It is therefore no surprise that more and more social landlords are embracing MMC-led developments to build affordable, good quality, energy-efficient modular homes for their tenants.

Zed Pods turnover has grown by 5 times in the last financial year with an order book of over 700 zero-carbon homes. Sustainability is at the heart of our design and construction works. We have designed and developed a factory built modular construction system that can be used to assemble buildings and is designed with an approach to holistically reduce carbon emissions and energy use.

Our approach on Zero carbon

We are a modular house builder as well as a leading modular architect practice with decades of experience of zero carbon homes within the team. We follow a strategy of enhancing the building fabric, maximising the number energy efficiency measures used and applying low carbon and renewable technologies. Using BIM software, we design out carbon from building fabric, material choice, passive solar design and M&E. The steel framed volumetric modular construction system has been designed with a “fabric first” approach to reduce operational carbon emissions by minimising thermal losses by conduction and infiltration.

Firstly, we reduce how much heat is transferred from inside to outside (the largest loss of energy in buildings) by specifying thick insulation build-ups, insulated floor slabs and thermally efficient triple glazed windows and doors. We also use mechanical ventilation that recovers more than 80% of the heat from expelled air meaning that there is a constant supply of fresh air circulating without the natural heat loss of other ventilation methods.

Our next strategy is to reduce the amount of energy used by occupants. During the design of our projects, we utilise simulation software to ensure that adequate daylight factors are created inside the spaces, reduce artificial lighting and increase solar gains. We then specify high performance A-rated appliances and water efficient fixtures and facets. 

Our next strategy is to use on site renewable technologies to meet the energy demands. For hot water and heating demand via MVHR unit and a solar assisted heat pump. Our units have no gas connections and so the remainder of their energy is met by roof mounted photovoltaic panels. This offset the remaining carbon emissions resulting in a net zero scheme with a negative dwelling emission rate.

Zero-carbon key worker accommodation

Our first zero-carbon residential project was 10 new studio apartments for an NHS Foundation Trust on a hospital site. The self-contained units were required to be in operation as fast as possible so that the nurses and junior doctors can stay near to the hospital without having to take long commute home. This keyworker accommodation was designed, built offsite and delivered to the hospital site in just 13 weeks only despite numerous Covid-19 related challenges e.g. restricted access, minimise noise and pollution.

Using our innovative grid-based design and steel framed volumetric modules, we completed the apartments substantially in the factory while the ground was prepared at the same time. These homes were built with SAP-A rated energy-efficient performance standards that exceed the building regulations. The modular building has been named ‘Captain Sir Tom Moore House’ in honour of the famous fundraiser who lived locally.

Zero carbon social housing scheme

Our award-winning social housing scheme “Hope Rise” for Bristol City Council is a UK-first project of using ‘air-rights’ over car parks to increase the supply of land and tackle the affordability of new homes. These homes are built on a raised steel platform over an existing council-owed public car park at Chalks Rd. It comprises of nine apartments constructed of cross laminated timber (CLT) and two homes constructed of steel. It is quite rare in modular sector to combine the two materials in the same project. 100% of original car parking spaces have been retained.

According to one Hope Rise Resident, “I have lived in a ZED PODS home for over a month now & I still have to stop to appreciate how nice of a house I have at such a young age. I was nervous about moving in so close to Christmas because of winter & most people I know when they first move in it’s always cold. However, the homes are really warm & don’t take long to heat up. I fell in love with ZED PODS at first read. I loved that they are energy efficient and environmentally friendly”

An end of year energy usage analysis has shown 104% of the annual energy requirement was being generated onsite by the PV array, making this ZED PODS’ development a net zero carbon in operation.

“Hope Rise” was the only residential new build modular scheme which was showcased at COP26 summit last year at Built Better Now, a virtual pavilion for the Built Environment, along with 16 other leading sustainable projects across the world.

Go above and beyond

Building zero carbon homes is a large part of the story but not all. We encourage zero carbon transport and discourage car ownership on our schemes. We provide electric vehicle points on our schemes and focus on regenerating brownfield sites with great public transport links and local amenities to support a wider low carbon lifestyle. For example, “Hope Rise” doesn’t have any car park spaces for the residents, as it is an urban site with great public transport links and local amenities, complying with the sustainable transport strategy of the local council.

Even small things matter - we use Oasis units for site cabins which have solar and battery back-up to reduce the carbon content of our welfare facilities.

Scaling up:

Our Burnt Ash Lane project of 25-units above a public car park for London Borough of Bromley addresses several priority areas of the council including increasing the number and quality of affordable homes, tackling homelessness, and supporting the most vulnerable. The scheme has been designed to achieve “zero operational carbon” with SAP ratings of over 100. In 30 years, this scheme will save 900 Tonnes of Carbon when compared with traditionally construction. The scheme will have an immediate social and environmental impact by providing permanent homes to 25 households, currently in temporary accommodation, who will enjoy well-designed, energy efficient, beautiful apartments which they can finally call ‘home’. 

Key challenges

The biggest challenge is the perception about what is possible and commercially viable. We work with local authorities to push the agenda and demonstrate what will fit with their cost models to show you can delivery net zero affordable homes. Perception is also that homes must be brick and block and not modular/ low embodied carbon materials. We work hard with warranty providers, BOPAS, lenders and insurers to demonstrate durability and longevity so that the full delivery chain understands what is possible now and why it works now. Overcoming these entrenched opinions and structural & systemic barriers is key to deliver net zero now.

Looking forward

As we continue to grow and develop, more zero carbon homes will be built by us in the UK. We will keep measuring our performance on reducing environment and continue to innovate and lead the way in net zero modular homes.

ZedPods are a SWPA appointed company on the Offsite Construction of New Homes framework, through this they were appointed to an award winning project. Download the procurement guide for more information or contact the team to discuss if our framework is the right procurement solution for your organisation.