last updated 15th December 05
by 4ecotips.com

Energy efficiency is key ingredient

The BBC has reported the construction of a "cutting edge" eco-house being built in the small Devon village of Yealmpton. It will be insulated like a huge storage heater made of concrete blocks. And it will feed power back into the National Grid. It's being built by Richard Bointon and will use solar heating, a heat exchange system and natural air circulation to save on fuel costs.

Efficient insulation means his house will stay at the same core temperature all year round. And Richard is intending to collect rainwater and use it to flush loos and to run the washing machine. Mains water will be used only for drinking, cooking and showering.

He's always been interested in reducing our impact on the environment, and now he's having his new house built to fit in with his beliefs. But it's not often you find someone prepared to put their money where their mouth is!

Richard says: "It's costing 20% more than the average four bedroomed detached house, but that's only because we're having to use unusual building techniques. But we'll be saving money on fuel and heating costs. Our electricity will be provided by photovoltaic panels on the south-facing roof."

"We'll then sell excess power to the National Grid. Our aim is to export power during the day and buy it back at the same rate overnight."

The house has been designed by the Cornish firm of CAD Architects who specialise in environmentally friendly houses. Architect Chris Hendra says more and more of his clients are opting for future proofing.

"This means designing a house to use solar and ground source heating, rather than fossil fuels. This reduces carbon emissions and running costs, and avoids the increasing cost of oil and gas."

Richard's house is made of concrete blocks with solid blocks of foam insulation on the outside. This acts like a storage heater, as the concrete keeps the same temperature all year round.

There's a heat exchanger in the loft, which extracts warm, wet air from the bathroom and kitchen, and sends it to heat up fresh air from the outside before it's blown into the bedrooms. The southern aspect of the house is a two storey glass conservatory, housing the sitting room. This means the sun warms the air inside, which then rises by convection to the top of the house, causing natural circulation of air.

"The sitting room has an open walkway across it, so we can walk between the bedrooms and look down into the sitting room."

Richard, who describes himself as just an ordinary engineer with an interest in the environment, hopes to move into the new house in January.