Being eco isn't mainly about high-tech renewable energy gadgets.
Right from the start, reusing an existing house rather than building a new one is a good ecology, and in this house, we have incorporated a high level of insulation into the walls, floors and roof as well as installing new high performance windows so that expensive energy isn't thrown away.
For the same reason have installed a whole house MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) system so that the house is properly ventilated in winter without having to open windows and throw away expensive heat.
The house includes a device which shows the inhabitants where their electricity is being used and encourages them to save.
Only once we have done everything we can to save energy is it time to look at how we can create it. The house includes:
A solar thermal roof panel which will supply some of the hot water needs of the house
a photovoltaic roof panel which can provide electricity and, when it is not needed, it can be sold back to the grid
The garden also includes green water recovery from the greenhouse roof, and composting facilities for growing vegetables. We also provided washing lines to encourage clothes drying by the sun and wind rather than by electricity. – Sheffield City Council's East Regeneration Team
The Eco terrace has been renovated to a high specification, bringing its energy efficiency rating up from an E to a B. This has been expensive, with the total material costs at £45,000 (excluding labour costs). The renovation includes a new roof, new windows, new kitchen and bathroom along side eco fittings including ventilation system recovering heat from the house, solar panels and a high level of insulation.
Examples of materials costs in the house:
Double glazed windows – Ecoplus FSC Redwood: 4 windows £3,500; 6 windows £5,000
Insulation for the walls – SpaceTherm F40 to walls £40 per square metre or £1,120 to cold bridge areas
Insulation for the roof – Kingspan Kooltherm: K7 rigid phenolic £9.95 per square metre or £775 for a typical terrace loft space
Efficient boiler – Ecotec plus 618 £1,228 excluding VAT
The Energy Saving Trust
Sheffield City Council have been working with the Energy Saving Trust on this development. The Trust has been helping to test the energy efficiency of the building, firstly by testing its efficiency before work started. They have been monitoring progress throughout the build and the Council hope they will continue the monitoring for a further year. Read more about their work on the Energy Saving Trust website:
