§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what steps were taken(a) to carry out an environmental impact assessment of Portcullis House and (b) to ensure that it sets a high standard for energy efficiency. [85055]
§ Sir Sydney ChapmanAn environmental impact assessment was not carried out during the design period.
The House determined that the building should be energy efficient. The Measures to achieve this, which are included in the design of the building, are:
The use of cold ground water taken via a borehole to provide the chilling for the air conditioning system;heat recovery from exhaust air andthe use of the thermal mass of the building to even out the heating and cooling requirements between night and day.As a result, the building is expected to consume only one third of the energy of a conventionally air conditioned building.