Manufacturer Velux is searching for two families to spend a year living in two monitored zero-carbon homes in Rothwell, Kettering.

The two semi-detached three- and four-bedroom homes were unveiled to the public in August. Now, Velux wants two families to help accurately monitor the homes' energy performance and quality of their indoor environment in real-life conditions. The CarbonLight Homes are expected to achieve at least a 70% reduction in carbon emissions on site.

The families will be required to record and review their time in the CarbonLight Homes while the building management systems, which regulate the homes' indoor climate, will also be used to collect information on the homes' energy and water use, temperature, air quality and daylight levels. This data will enable Velux to compare the homes' design targets against their actual performance, with the results fed back to the industry to help improve the sustainability of new homes.

The search for the families will launch at Grand Designs Live in Birmingham from 7 to 9 October. Three- and four-person families with children and a basic understanding of energy efficiency who would like to take part in the monitoring phase can apply at the exhibition or by visiting www.velux.co.uk before 31 October, 2011.