ECO-HOMES THAT DON'T COST THE EARTH
Tenants moving into Windsor Housing's latest development could be spared rocketing electricity bills. Twenty family eco-homes have been developed for affordable rent on a site that used to contain an underused homeless shelter, following the huge success of Guildford Borough Council's prevention of homelessness programme.
The houses built in the Spinney make use of photovoltaic cells on the roof, which convert sunlight directly into electricity to power the homes, with the tenants able to sell surplus energy back to the national grid. They were built using a Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) system, which are manufactured off-site and then craned into place, saving time and money.
All the houses, designed by Churchill Hui and constructed in partnership with Croudace Homes, are highly insulated, built with a timber frame and fitted with A rated boilers, energy efficient lighting and water saving devices throughout – even the rainwater is recycled.
The development was officially opened by the Mayor of Guildford, councillor Jennifer Jordan.
Peter Coleman, chair at Windsor Housing, said: "In today's economic climate, with escalating fuel costs, we have to offer efficiency and innovation to ensure that our homes are affordable to rent and affordable to live in, and to deliver sustainable homes for our future communities."
Windsor Housing, as a member of the Radian Group, is committed to reducing its environmental impact and was determined to achieve the Building Research Establishment's Eco-Homes 'Excellent' rating for this development. They were duly awarded this distinction and even obtained a grant from the Energy Savings trust.
Date published: 07 Aug 2008