What is an LZC Feasibility Study?
A Low or Zero Carbon ( LZC ) feasibility study considers specific criteria necessary to achieve credits under the Code for Sustainable Homes. These criteria include factors such as; the life cycle costs of LZC technologies, planning requirements, land use, and performance of technologies to achieve a reduction in energy or carbon dioxide emissions. Our assessors will calculate the predicted energy requirement for a dwelling before and after the implementation of a low or zero carbon technology, typically to provide savings of 10 – 20%.
Awardable Credits
Meeting the requirements in ‘Renewable & Low Emissions Energy Source’ (Pol 4) in Ecohomes can achieve 1 to 3 credits. Requirements achieved in ‘Low or Zero Carbon (LZC) Technologies’ (Ene 7) in the Code for Sustainable Homes can earn 1 to 2 credits.
What is a Sustainability & Energy Report?
Sustainability & Energy Reports are increasingly required by local authorities to support planning applications. Reports can be tailored to respond to specific planning policies or Supplementary Planning Guidance, including requirements to generate a percentage of the site’s energy from renewable technologies. While there is overlap with the content of a LZC feasibility report they may differ in the need to cover a broader range of sustainability criteria.
What does the Sustainability Report include?
Sustainability reports can cover a variety of topics, dependent upon planning requirements, including; site data, biodiversity, water, transportation, waste minimisation, built environment, materials and energy. Energy reports include planning requirements, predicted energy consumption, alternative technology proposals, costs and funding.