Many of the latest cutting-edge designs for new homes feature the latest green technology and use materials and design innovations that promote sustainable living.
Features include measures to improve energy efficiency, maximising light, designs that utilise the pitch and location of the property and construction and installation that reduces ‘embedded energy.’
Although the use of renewable energy sources is actively encouraged and is a prominent starting point for many of the plans for these new homes, it doesn’t have to be at the expense of good design and it certainly doesn’t need to make the house any less habitable or to lose any of the aspects that entice potential homeowners to want to live in the property.
In the second part of our feature on eco-homes and sustainable designs, WhatHouse? looks at five more of the finest examples of new homes designed with green living at the forefront of the designs. All of these homes have been nominated in various categories for the WhatHouse? Awards 2016.
The Rowan at Ballakilley (Dandara Ltd)
This 3-4 bedroom dormer style property uses the orientation, external and internal design of the property and use of landscaping to maximise natural heat and light and minimise the use of non-renewable energy sources.
A low energy approach has been followed to ensure that the ‘embedded energy’ of the property is effectively reduced. From this basis the property uses a variety of measures to ensure that the energy required is delivered effectively.
It uses energy efficient lighting both externally and internally and the white goods inside the home all have A/A+ energy ratings. There are a range of water saving devices, including dual flush WC’s and reduction flow taps and showerheads. Gas adaptive technology is incorporated within the highly efficient boiler.
The layout of the street allows properties to be positioned to allow passive solar energy gain through a south facing aspect and glazing is optimised to provide maximum heat retention and solar gain.
Prices: From £414,950
Find out more: www.dandara.com ; 01624 615000
Pastures Wood, Crawley Down (CALA Homes)
This detached house has four double bedroom, three reception rooms and three bathrooms and benefits from lots of natural light through full height glazed panels either side of the front door.
Its green credentials are bolstered by solar PV panels which are fitted to the roof, providing some of the energy requirements of the property.
It also features a highly efficient condensing gas boiler and double-glazed PVCu windows throughout which gives a high level of thermal insulation and reduce heat loss.
The kitchen features A-rated appliances which ensure both energy and water efficiency and the house has low energy internal and external light fittings and dusk-to-dawn external sensor lights to the front door.
High levels of insulation within roof spaces and external wall cavities are included which limit heat loss in the winter and reduce heat gain in the summer.
Prices: Sold out
Find out more about eco-homes from CALA
Hall Farm Estate Knowle (Spitfire Bespoke Homes)
Set within rolling countryside in the West Midlands, Hall Farm is a regeneration of a former farm that retains the original farm buildings to create 13 distinctive properties designed to complement their rural surroundings.
The properties use the latest eco-features and the highest quality specification. The development prioritised conserving the rich architectural heritage of the setting and is built to the highest environmental standards.
A range of eco features have been used in the design of the scheme, including a central biomass energy centre and district heating system which provides sustainable energy for all of the properties on the site.
The biomass boiler uses ignition, preheating and gasification at very high temperatures to create energy efficient combustion to aloe hot water to be piped through super insulated pipes directly to each home.
The properties also include a sustainable drainage system and energy and water saving fixtures and design features, insulation and extensive glazing.
Prices: Guide price £900,000
Find out more Spitfire Bespoke Homes here
Garth House Gardens, Cumbria (Esh Construction Ltd)
This Grade II listed Georgian home is set in three acres of gardens in Cumbria and combines energy saving technology, luxury finishing and elegant Swedish design from Trivselhus, Sweden’s top timber-framed housing construction company..
The Holderen show home is a 5/6 bedroom house which features electricity-generating solar panels, heat saving ventilation systems and energy efficient appliances and has impeccable sustainable credentials, including an EPC ‘A’ rating.
Small innovations learnt from dealing with the Scandinavian climate help give more energy saving features which means lower energy costs. For instance, the front doors are carefully designed to keep the warmth in and the cold out, there is no letter box to let draughts in and the door opens outwards, so the force of a winter’s gale tightens the seal as it blows.
Embedded energy saving technology and renewable, recyclable materials are part of the building’s design and give homeowners energy saving costs designed to last a lifetime.
Prices: From £625,000
Find out more www.trivselhus.co.uk
Spinners Brook, Oldham
This development in Failsworth, near Oldham has a range of high quality, energy efficient homes that are ideal options for first-time buyers with Help to Buy available on many of them.
The Stretton show home is finished to a high specification and to improve the home’s energy efficiency, the Stretton comes with a combi-boiler, double-glazing throughout, thermostatic controls on all radiators and is fully insulated to the latest specifications.
The development has eight different house types available which has helped build a sustainable community that cleverly maximises the use of landscaped grounds and open spaces.
Prices: From £137,500
Find out more Miller Homes