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The average cost of building a home may increase by as much as 30 per cent once developers are required to construct zero-carbon homes, it has been revealed.

Prime minister Gordon Brown has said that all new houses must be carbon-neutral by 2016, and has also set targets for low-carbon homes to be built before then.

However, property developers have warned that zero-carbon homes will be significantly more expensive to build than traditional homes.

A government policy statement has revealed that, on average, build costs for carbon-neutral homes will be 19 per cent more than current costs, but this could rise to 30 per cent in some cases.

Commenting on the statement figures, John Slaughter, external affairs director at the Home Builders Federation, told Building.co.uk: "The figures show quite an increase but as they are the first we've had, we have nothing to compare them to.

"They seem to be saying that microgeneration is not that cost-effective and they underline the need for a hard-headed discussion with government about how to achieve a low-carbon energy supply."

In assessing carbon-zero homes, a number of factors will be taken into consideration, such as emissions from appliances and cooking and the level of insulation in the property.

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Author:  Joanne McCabe

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