The NHBC Foundation has published a new ‘Carbon Jargon Guide’ – a free guide to help explain and standardise the language used around carbon and energy in the housebuilding industry

From ‘absolute zero carbon’ to ‘zero carbon ready’, the Carbon Jargon Guide details common energy terms, explaining their meaning and how they differ.

With growing societal awareness of environmental issues, NHBC Foundation, which provides high-quality research and practical guidance to support the house-building industry, recognised that carbon and energy terminology can be confusing and inconsistent.

The Carbon Jargon Guide will help to standardise the language used by housebuilders

Following discussion with the house-building sector, the need was clear for a straightforward set of explanations and definitions that developers, designers, architects, planners and other built environment professionals could adopt for sector-wide consistency.

This will help consumers as they can make informed decisions about the sustainability credentials of their potential new home.

Creating clarity around carbon and terminology in housebuilding

Richard Smith, head of standards, research & technical competency at NHBC, commented: "We’re excited to publish this guide as we believe there’s a real need for clarity around carbon and energy terminology in house building. For years there’s been inconsistency, which is confusing for both developers and consumers – we want to end this and simplify the language used by everyone.

"The importance of a home’s energy efficiency and carbon emissions is only going to grow in the coming years and we feel this important issue should be tackled now. With better knowledge and understanding everyone will benefit, be better informed and able to make the best choices."

While the NHBC Foundation Carbon Jargon guide doesn’t cover every conflicting energy definition, it does aim to provide a concise, common vocabulary, including applicable official definitions used by Government. It’s intended to be a handy, digestible reference tool for anyone who wants clarity in the confusing world of energy and carbon.

The Carbon Jargon guide is available now. Download it for free from nhbc.co.uk/carbonjargon.

Source: PBC Today