The University of Nottingham is hoping to cut its greenhouse gas emissions with the construction of an experimental research house, which may act as a future guide for other environmentally friendly homes.

Designed by school staff, construction has already begun on the experimental building.

Researchers are hoping to cut greenhouse emissions with this experimental house under construction at the University of Nottingham. (The University of Nottingham/Stoneguard)

Over the next 20 years, university students and staff will live and work in the three-storey home, and monitor heating, lighting, ventilation, energy and water consumption.  Their goal is to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent when compared to typical houses — meeting the target for 2050 set out by the British government.

Features of the house include an earth-air heat exchanger system for heating and a grey water management system which would reuse shower water to flush the toilet. A rainwater-harvesting system will supply water for the washing machine, shower and gardens. The house also contains devices to increase natural light inside the home, solar heating and a ventilation/heat recovery system.

"The house will provide us with a research and education project which will help us address urgent issues associated with sustainable construction," said Dr. Mark Gillott, a lecturer in Sustainable Energy Technology at the School of the Built Environment, in a media release.

Students will develop 'wealth of knowledge': Gillott

"Perhaps the most important participants in this project are the students, who are fully involved in every aspect of construction and development. Their first-hand experience of the issues will give them a wealth of knowledge, to apply when they graduate and develop as they work in the construction industry of the future," said Gillott.

Stoneguard, a construction company which is managing the project, is building the house using its steel framing system called Protec. Stoneguard said the Protec system is not only very efficient in terms of construction but also provides high levels of insulation to improve the performance of the house.

The four-bedroom house will be constructed over three levels, including a basement and roof space.

"This building is, quite simply, 44 years ahead of its time," said Mike Hinman, managing director of Stoneguard.