Lockwood's eco-friendly features work towards minimising carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Wood is the Earth's most renewable raw material and using it is vital in the fight against climate change.
Wood is the Earth's most renewable raw material and using it is vital in the fight against climate change. The more wood we use, the more carbon that is stored. The more trees that are grown, the more oxygen that is released in to the atmosphere, and the better off our entire world would be.
Not only does wood take less energy to produce, it also releases less CO2 than other building materials (such as steel and concrete) during manufacture. Wood based homes can save around 4 tons of carbon dioxide, equal to the emissions of driving 22,000 Km.
Lockwood homes help promote a cleaner environment and protect the Earth for everyone, including your grandchildren. Who would have thought that building your dream home could minimise your carbon footprint? Well it absolutely can.
Lockwood's eco-friendly features work towards minimising carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions.
"Capital energy" is the energy it takes to produce the materials used in the construction of houses. Lockwood homes have an efficient energy footprint when compared to conventional homes. They use locally grown plantation wood - a renewable resource that also helps the environment by consuming carbon dioxide and releasing new oxygen into the atmosphere.
"Operational energy" is the energy used during the lifecycle of your home. This can be minimised through clever design and siting, utilising solar energy by converting sunlight into usable heat. Eco-smart homes also minimise operational energy through solar hot water systems, onsite power generation and rainwater harvesting. They are uniquely designed to be as self-sufficient as possible and have minimal impact on the environment. They are truly beautiful in every way.
Interiors are made out of locally sourced plantation grown solid timber while the exteriors are sheathed with Lockwood's unique quarter-sawn glue laminated weatherboard. Good thermal envelopes are gained with passive ventilation incorporated into joinery frames. Heating and cooling energy requirements of the home are reduced, ensuring a healthier drier environment.
Lockwood eco-friendly specified homes are equipped with solar panels providing hot water and electricity, which reduce your power bill. Low energy appliances and lighting also help bring down power bills. Low E double glazing and thermally broken joinery upgrades also make for smarter eco choices.
These designs also maximise the use of the environment's natural, renewable and non-polluting resources. The combination of energy efficient materials and use of natural resources reflects Lockwood's commitment to environmental sustainability preserving the planet for future generations.
Features of the Lockwood EcoSmart home:
• A high performance thermal envelope living area with natural cross ventilation. The house faces north to capture and store the sun's heat during the day, which is then released into the house at night.
• The south side of the house is designed to keep cold air out, hence the envelope effect. Roof overhangs and slatted screens prevent summer overheating but allow low altitude winter sun to penetrate deep into the building.
• The walls, under-floor and roof, are all heavily insulated and all window and door joinery is double glazed, thermally broken and features low e-glass.
• Renewable New Zealand Radiata Pine is used for all walls, floor and roof framing, and ceilings. The weatherboards are a patented Lockwood quarter-sawn glue laminated Radiata Pine product which gives stability, durability and a lower environmental footprint. Another alternative is Lockwood's cedar cladding option.
• A north-facing, 30-degree sloping tower provides optimum positioning for solar water heating. A wetback Nature's Flame space heater uses recycled fuel pellets.
• Similarly the north-facing 'beak' allows for solar photovoltaic cells for electricity generation.