A to Z: Common sustainability terms and what they actually mean
3 April, 2024 – Dean Ipaviz, Director @ Verdecon
As a passionate environmentalist, I’ve wrestled with my decision to work as a carpenter and builder, given the negative impact construction has on the environment.
But rather than opt for a career change, I decided to look at what we do as builders and find a better way. This led me to co-found Verdecon, a B-Corp Certified, carbon-neutral construction company.
Here are my ABCs of responsible construction to help you on your building or renovating journey.
A: Airtightness
The airtightness of a building refers to how much air unintentionally leaks in or out via poorly sealed gaps in doors, windows or openings for services like plumbing and electricity. Poor airtightness can negatively impact a home’s energy consumption and an occupant’s thermal comfort, and lead to issues like mould.
Modern-day weather-resistant barriers (WRBs) are airtight and vapour permeable, meaning they allow vapour to pass through but not air, dust or water. Airtightness is measured by a “blower door test”, which tells us how airtight a house is by measuring the number of air changes per hour (ACH).
B: Batteries
Not to be confused with the AAs we buy at the supermarket, house batteries store excess solar energy produced by rooftop solar panels (photovoltaic arrays).
Photovoltaic (PV) cells and batteries are often subsidised by the government and allow people to reduce their demand for grid energy and be more self-sufficient, protecting them against blackouts and energy price spikes. House batteries are typically expensive but their cost can be recouped faster when paired with an energy retailer that offers feed-in tariffs.
C: Cross-laminated timber
Cross-laminated timber (or CLT) is made from several layers of solid wood panels bonded with a structural adhesive at alternating right angles. Ideal for large floor, roof and wall elements, CLT provides an alternative to suspended concrete.
