http://www.cicstart.org/events/events/212,505/Developing-a-Template-for-Quick-Start-Home-User-Guides.html

This webinar was hosted by CIC Start Online and was live video streamed to an audience of 30 attendees. Rosalie Menon, MEARU; Matt Bridgestock, JGA and The interactive format allowed for a virtual Q&A session at the end of the presentation.

This project was developed in response to earlier MEARU Post Occupancy Evaluation research and work with the Scottish Government on occupant guides highlighting the benefits to home energy efficiency through simple, bespoke instructions for operating a new house.

The industry partner, Stuart Young from The Home Log Book Company provides online logbooks (interactive home user guides) to new home developers and housing associations and identified the potential to develop a ‘quick start guide’ for home energy efficiency.

In May 2011 the Scottish Building regulations changed to include Section 7 ‘Sustainability’. This section in the building regulations outlines optional standards for sustainability for new housing- the higher levels all include the need for straightforward user information for homes including a ‘quick start guide’ to the building fabric, mechanical systems, ventilation strategies and other sustainability features.

This project addressed the need for a ‘quick start’ guide by the creation of a template for an occupant guide highlighting the benefits of energy efficiency through clear visual instructions for operating a new house. The Home Log Book Company (HLB) together with MEARU developed a bespoke ‘quick start’ guide for housing including the aspects addressed in the new building standards in Scotland. This project seeks to identifies a process of gathering this information and proposes a simple template which could be replicated by housing providers to meet the Section 7 criteria for new homes.