Solar Power Cells, Hot Water, Energy, Collectors

Build eco friendly homes and save money

01.01.70

The four-bedroom house, which costs just £3 a day to heat, has novel skirting-board radiators, space-rocket paint finishes, sheep's wool insulation, a warm and cold air filtering system, and a kitchen range that can recover energy and control the heating system. There is no need for kettles as a tap provides instant hot water at just under boiling point. Valley Views is for sale through Estates Direct (08456 313131).

Much of the expertise had to come from abroad. "I flew to Germany to meet a man who could tell me about how to match the latest German technologies with British houses and British weather, which is much more variable and damp than German weather," says Mark. Some of these ideas have now been incorporated into the family's old house, reducing its carbon footprint by 47 per cent.

Around the country, forward- thinking people like Mark are experimenting with green building, going to great lengths to source products and urging more conventional builders and architects to incorporate them.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk