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Our modular solutions have a number of benefits, including the ability to be delivered at pace and be deployed on sites unsuitable for traditional bricks and mortar construction. However, one benefit that’s not often highlighted is how our modules can help save money on energy and water bills too.
Modular solutions are not only cost effective in terms of installation but can be cleverly designed to provide savings long-term. Many of these cost-cutting features come with the added benefit of being sustainable, helping the project meet ESG targets and helping the planet by lowering carbon emissions.
These innovative features future proof the site financially and environmentally for years to come. Here are our top five features that can be included to save money, and the planet, this winter:
The clean tech sector is booming at the moment, with innovation that can be built into modular solutions.
We recently worked with His Majesty’s Prison Service which had ambitious net zero targets to meet. We partnered with Measurable Energy to fit the modules with AI-powered smart socket technology, eliminating plug load energy waste through an automated control system. This cuts costs as well as carbon emissions, putting sustainability and savings at the heart of the project.
As with any build, an airtight exterior is critical for energy efficiency, and lower energy bills as a result. To help with thermal efficiency, we can supply a number of different cladding types to truly fit any project’s needs, each providing excellent insulation, reducing energy consumption and lower bills.
Our recent work on Perrigo Laboratory building a new lab and office space, required a practical insulation solution which still looked aesthetically pleasing. Our 120mm Trimapanel 120/1000 HPS Goosewing Grey Microrib cladding panels were selected for improved energy efficiency and enhanced durability, without compromising on style.
Another of our projects, a laboratory at The Paper Yard, incorporated green roofing which has a number of benefits, including retaining heat in the winter, and reducing the need for air conditioning in the summer due to dry layers reflecting heat off the roof, decreasing the building’s energy consumption as a result.
Rainwater harvesting is a method of collecting rainfall, storing it and using it for non-potable purposes, for example sanitation. The collected rainwater is used where possible instead of water from the mains, which reduces overall water bills – in some cases by as much as 50%.
Alongside the financial savings, rainwater harvesting is great for bolstering a building’s sustainability, and can even help the project achieve higher ESG credentials.
We have experience designing and installing rainwater harvesting systems across a number of projects. This includes 15 HS2 sites, incorporating it into their temporary offices and welfare facilities; Hull’s first Code-5 social housing development, reaching a national benchmark for sustainable building; and for HMP Full Sutton, as part of the MoJ’s prison modernisation programme.
While most bricks and mortar projects have to attach solar panels to the roof of the building or designate an area for them to be installed, modular buildings can incorporate solar panels into the shell of the building. Photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight into electricity, ensuring that the project is partly or wholly powered by a renewable energy source. As a result, the build is less reliant on fossil fuels, reducing energy bills.
Although solar panels have been around for years, the technology has recently taken significant leaps. The panels on the market today can achieve a conversion rate of 26.9%, and, contrary to popular belief, even work on overcast days.
Our recent project, building a training facility at Whitley Wood Fire Station, included the installation of solar panels to help reduce operational costs but also achieve sustainability requirements within the brief. The solar panel installation helped the project achieve an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating for sustainable building performance.
Even the smaller details can help contribute to a lower energy consumption and as a result, lower energy bills. A well-known, but still effective option is LED lighting, which is far more efficient than other types of fittings on the market. Our project, providing decant facilities for Dixons Newhall Green Academy while it underwent a refurbishment, included LED lighting throughout, not only to help reduce energy consumption and costs, but also to create a comfortable learning environment for pupils. Want to find out more about how our modules can help save money on bills? Contact the team today.
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