Clearview National April 2016 - Issue 173 | Page 26

INDUSTRYNEWS ZERO BILLS HOME LAUNCHED AT INNOVATION PARK »»ZERO BILLS IN A nutshell aims to make home energy bills obsolete. With a clever design that minimises energy requirements, the very low energy needs of the household are met by a roof-integrated PV and energy storage system which can also generate enough power to service a small electric vehicle. The home is heated by a small air source heat pump that recycles heat recovered from stale air that’s been processed by a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system. With the average annual household spend on home energy exceeding £1300 and car fuel exceeding £1000, significant lifetime savings can be met for the Zero Bills householder. Zero Bills comes as a kit of parts – a steel frame with timber wall panels the bulk of which is manufactured in the UK. The system is affordable at £1350 per square meter and quick and easy to build with. Speaking at the launch Bill Dunster said ‘SME builders are key to delivering the 250,000 homes per annum we need across the UK – the Zero Bills system is an off the shelf solution for SMEs that could really drive the market in the right direction. With its integrated energy generation facility it shows how we could actually reduce the investment needed for centralised national infrastructure by becoming net exporters of renewable energy.’ Zero Bills is aiming to be one of the first homes assessed under BRE’s new Home Quality Mark which provides consumerfriendly, impartial information via a star ratings system on the quality and sustainability of new homes. BRE’s Chief Executive who opened the home said: “Zero Bills represents new thinking and a fresh approach to the significant challenges and opportunities we face in the housing market.” Photo credit: Sam Turner, BRE. 26 » A PR 2016 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M Building on a new opportunity Leading aggregates manufacturer and distributor Kelkay has new additions to its Borderstone® paving range which includes patio kits, stepping stones, edgings and walling. »»THE NEW PRODUCTS include the new Abbey 1.5m and 2.4m Twist Circle available in the best selling colours antique and york gold. Kelkay has extended its popular Granite Cobble Mat Sets collection with a new granite mat quarter circle. Available in both light and dark grey, this new addition is ideal for creating a feature circle or can be used as a decorative path. The new Easy Edging provides a perfect finishing touch to any garden. Its versatile shape enables the consumer to create curved or straight borders at ease. Speaking of the new products, Antony Harker, managing director of Kelkay, said: “Borderstone is one of the country’s favourite paving ranges. With these new launches, we’re reaffirming our commitment to this highly successful brand and giving retailers the opportunity to build on the sales opportunities the collection offers. We look forward to presenting the extended Borderstone range.” Kelkay’s brand portfolio also includes Build Mate, easyfountain® and Henri®, providing retailers with a single source of supply for a wide range of garden products. These include aggregates, stone, water and garden features, paving, ed ging and walling, building materials, horticulture, growing media and winter garden products. By promoting aggregates, paving and fountains with eye-catching point of sale, merchandising units and display stands, retailers have seen sales grow. www.kelkay.co.uk