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Highly insulated new house

Summary

As Liz Spurgeon was building a new home, she felt it was a good opportunity to make it sustainable, and now has a house which is rated as 86% efficient. The house faces south, and is very highly insulated, so even in winter, the sun helps to heat it.

Green features in the home

• Very thick, fully insulated walls
• Stone used from demolished buildings
• Double glazing in all windows
• Solar hot water system
• Log burner with back boiler
• Rayburn condenser boiler which is 98% efficient
• Underfloor heating downstairs
• Recycled bathroom suite and sink
• Natural materials used (and MDF avoided)
• Eco paint used throughout the house

Green features outside

• Water butt
• Fruit and vegetables grown

Energy use

For one year, ending in March 2009, the total cost of all electricity and gas (for extra heating when needed) was £600.

To find out more

To contact the owners for more information about this property, email liz spurgeon at liza_s@hotmail.co.uk

Directions

Edford Green, which is just south of Holcombe village, can be reached by 184 bus, and other routes from Frome Shepton to Midsomer Norton. To get there by car, go down Holcombe Hill, and about two thirds of the way down, turn left. At the end of the road on right there are three gates, and Green End is the middle one.

See the calendar for open days and times