Another Zero Carbon Primer

from Deirdre McGahern of Straworks

The Health Centre will be a Carbon Sink!

Thanks to the Builders for Climate Action carbon calculator, we estimate the Health Centre’s material carbon emissions to be 6.9 tons. The wood, straw and cellulose insulation will be storing 12.5 tons that they absorbed during photosynthesis when they were plants. This means the net difference is -5.6 tons. So, as long as the building stands, it is a carbon sink!

In contrast, if we built the Health Centre conventionally, with a concrete foundation, spray foam insulation and brick on the exterior, the material emissions would jump to approximately 39 tonnes.

The Health Centre will be on the right side of climate change during its operational phase, too. Super levels of insulation and diligent air sealing mean the heating loads will be low. An ultra efficient air-sourced heat pump, powered by Peterborough’s relatively green grid, will do the job, and fit the project goal of low carbon construction and operation emissions.

Thank you Deirdre! This is an excellent primer for those who want to understand how a ‘zero’ building comes together and how this kind of construction has huge environmental benefits! Follow Straworks on Instagram for ongoing updates on the construction process!

We continue to raise funds to outfit the interior of the Health Centre – beds, towels, curtains….shower curtains!