BRITAIN’S first zero-carbon homes are being built – and they look like something from a sci-fi movie. These eco-friendly houses are powered entirely by electricity, generated from solar panels around the property. This solar juice can be stored in a battery or used as it’s generated. And there’s also a mechanical ventilation system, as well […]
BRITAIN’S first zero-carbon homes are being built – and they look like something from a sci-fi movie.
These eco-friendly houses are powered entirely by electricity, generated from solar panels around the property.
This solar juice can be stored in a battery or used as it’s generated.
And there’s also a mechanical ventilation system, as well as mini heat pumps to generate the heating and hot water on-site.
Importantly, the houses are designed to require minimal heating or cooling in the first place.
The so-called “Passivhaus” design – developed in Germany – uses passive heat sources like the Sun, human occupants and household appliances to cover a large part of the heating demand.
They also feature advanced ventilation systems, ensuring that temperatures inside the building don’t exceed 25C for more than 10% of hours annually.
Part of the cooling design includes avoiding east- or west-facing windows, window shading, and protective insulation.
“We think is the first development of zero-carbon, net zero-energy houses in the country,” said Ian Pritchess, of Ssassy Property, speaking to Triangle News.
“Our houses are all electric and generate electricity from PV photo-voltaic panels, which can be stored in a battery or used as it is generated.
“We combine this with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and mini heat pumps to generate the heating and hot water.”
There are 25 eco-friendly homes currently being built in Southmoor, near Abingdon, Oxon.
Buyers are able to choose different floor layouts, kitchens and bathrooms.
One new-build three bedroom detached home is on the market for £801,000, with a custom build available to suit your own spec.
And they’re in high demand: just eight of the 16 custom-built plots are still on the market.
Ian thinks the Government should do more to promote the construction of this type of housing.
“Unfortunately, the Government relaxed the proposed 2016 zero-carbon targets after being lobbied by housebuilders,” he explained.
“At present, the main housebuilding corporations control the land and only build at the rate they are sure will sell, maintaining the UK’s housing shortage so that the normal rules of ‘supply and demand’ don’t apply.
“When there is a shortage of housing, buyers have to purchase what is available rather than what they might want.
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“In any sensible society, we would expect the planning system to actively encourage zero-carbon houses, and be tough on anyone failing to deliver the necessary standard.
“Instead, we have a planning system that focuses on other issues such as numbers of bedrooms, garden sizes, and parking places.
“These are important issues, but they pale into insignificance compared to the catastrophic implications of climate change.
“The planning process could be the answer to the problem if only someone had the sense to make real sustainability part of the process.”
In other news, seaside towns have been urged to move inland as climate chaos now means a “retreat” is needed, top scientists have warned.
Experts have also warned that Britain could be as hot as Spain in just three decades.
And eating human corpses could “solve the global warming crisis”, one mad scientist claims.
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