Greenlight Construction is a member of both the Green Register of Construction Professionals and the Association of Environment Conscious Building (AECB) & has been advising on sustainable design and specifications since 2003.

In addition to this, years of experience in 'conventional' construction mean that the choices that are offered, following consideration of your scheme, will be both practical and value-effective (similar to cost-effective but embraces other factors too like CO2 emissions and embodied energy).

A value-effective choice is often also the most cost-effective choice especially when viewed in the longer term. For example, a typical low energy bulb will cost £3.00 more to buy than a standard bulb. According to the Energy Saving Trust over the first year of its use your chosen bulb will save around £9.00 off your electricity bill when compared to the 'cheaper' standard bulb and it will do the same the next year and the next and so on with a massive reduction in CO2 emissions as well. It is clear what the value-effective choice is and, in the longer term (after 4 months!!!) it also becomes the most cost-effective choice as well.

This simple example is illustrative of more complex issues and choices that can be found throughout the building process. Greenlight Construction is here to help you to make those choices.

But remember... the level of benefits that could be achieved is in direct proportion to the timing of the engagement of Greenlight Construction. Consultation at an early stage may well make a significant difference.

Design

Greenlight Construction can advise on design requirements from achieving simple but effective improvements to your home and Level 3 Code for Sustainable Homes compliance to zero carbon homes and sustainable mixed use and commercial developments.

Factors that can be considered include:

• Passive solar design, building orientation and over-shading
• Thermal performance and heat loss
• Air tightness and heating & ventilation systems
• Building envelope performance requirements
• Low & zero carbon technologies
• Water conservation and potential harvesting / reuse
• SUDS

Specifications & Materials

Over their lifetime buildings take between 5 and 10 times as much energy to run as to build. Sustainable building specifications and material choices must therefore begin with energy conservation. Secondary consideration factors include embodied energy of the materials, recycled materials, opportunities for local employment and ethical sourcing.

Amongst others Greenlight can advise on and assist in drawing up specifications for:

• Building envelope materials
• Heating and ventilation specifications
• Door and window choices
• Insulation specifications
• Timber specification and sourcing
• Natural finishes