Electricity generation
Due to the inefficiencies of the electricity generation and transmission system in the UK, less than 40% of the energy in the fuels used reaches your electricity meter. For your house to be truly 'energy-neutral' you would need to export to the National Grid over two-and-a-half-times the amount of electricity that you buy.
Minimising energy use is the vital first step towards this goal, and forms part of the various building standards that we work with. After minimising consumption, the next step is to generate your own electricity, exporting any surplus to the National Grid.
Photovoltaic electricity
Using the same technology to that which powers many satellites and calculators, photovoltaic (PV) panels can in installed on your roof to generate electricity from sunlight. Very popular in Germany where the electricity they generate is subsidised, as the price comes down their use is growing in popularity in Britain too. Any surplus electricity can be sold into the National Grid, normally tax free.
Even if you choose not to install PV panels now, all our homes will include the necessary ducts to make your home 'PV ready', so that they can be added at a later date, provided your home can be built with a suitably oriented roof.
Wind turbines
On an exposed site away from obstructions to the wind flow, domestic wind turbines can generate a useful amount of electricity. In other locations is may be feasible to use a larger scale turbine in community ownership.
Minimising electricity use
Lighting
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use about 60% less electricity compared to traditional incandescent lights. They also last 10 to 12 times as long.
Carbon emissions, rising energy prices, gas shortages, water shortages, flooding, heatwaves, deforestation, depletion of resources, increases in allergies and asthma. Such issues are of growing concern to many people.
The Eco Design and Build team are committed to tackling these kinds of issues now, through the homes we build. We design and construct eco-friendly homes that are designed to reduce their impact on the environment, helping you to live more sustainably and healthily.
