The first findings from an evaluation of Integer housing projects around the country show that they can be delivered profitably by the UK housing industry and are popular with residents.
Over the last five years a range of Integer pilot projects have been built in Wiltshire, Sandwell, Harlow, Newbury and Maidenhead. These projects vary from a private family house to a development of 27 houses and flats.

"The first results from this evaluation are very encouraging,' says Alan Kell, manager of the Integer action-research programme and who is leading the evaluation on behalf of The Housing Corporation.

Initial findings from the projects include typical savings of around one third of energy costs for heating and hot water, rising to in excess of 50% in certain cases. Utility cost savings of over £400 per year per home are being achieved.

In a number of social housing schemes the turnover in tenancies in Integer homes is reported as significantly lower than the norm.

"We're still completing the analysis," says Kell. "We're learning a great deal about what's essential to deliver sustainable housing successfully.

"There are still some concerns about unit construction costs and maintenance, but it is clear that these can be addressed through volume construction and some standardisation of design."

Source

Building Sustainable Design