Low energy design- EcoHat ( Design precedents)

UK Government promised that all new homes would be 'zero carbon' from 2016, National House Building Council (NHBC) is a guidance department to help the industry meet its challenges. There are 10 elements in the guide that helps to design, one of them is "Low and zero carbon technology". Besides, solar heating system, floor cooling system, Photovoltaics..etc are the technologies which can apply in houses to made it more sustainable. 

The houses at Oxley Woods are using a new technology called "EcoHat". When the solar panels in the boxes got heated by the heat, it will sends it into the house for heating the home, or it can be used to heat hot water. In addition, the difference of the system is, it allows hot air to rise and consequently be reused to provide passive solar water heating. Hence, the system can significantly reduce the energy required to heat and cool the homes compared to standard homes. That also can solved the problem of the solar panel on the roof are ugly argument. The system could help  reduction in CO2 emissions.