List of homes and gardens--Dates of open days--Location map--Products, builders and suppliers--Our sponsors--More on eco-renovation--Introduction

Summary

This timber-frame Scandia Hus house was imported from Sweden in 1990 by Dinah and Peter Bardgett. When it was built, the company was already creating ‘green’ houses with excellent insulation and triple glazing. The owners have found the house to be very warm and dry (and have no need for a tumble dryer when drying clothes in the winter).

The garden was created from disused British Rail allotments, and a large amount of rubbish of all kinds was cleared, having been deposited over many years. The Bardgetts have enjoyed being able to preserve some English countryside which had been spoiled by tipping.

Green features in the home

• Open stairway, which transfers heat throughout the house
• Very little heating required (just small electric heaters)
• High levels of insulation in the walls (80mm Rockwood and 70mm Kingspan Thermowall)
• 65mm of insulation in floors
• 300mm of mineral wool insulation in the loft
• Triple glazed windows

Green features outside

• Mixed hedging and small copse of native trees with bluebells for wildlife habitat
• Rainwater butt
• Pond filled by natural stream
• Compost and leaf litter bins
• Small vegetable plot

Energy use

Between January and December 2008, approximately £1,300 was spent on electricity, but none on other fuels apart from bottled gas for cooking.

To find out more

To find out more about this property, you can contact the owner by email at dinah.bardgett@which.net

Directions

The Wallbridge bus route is nearby, on the Warminster Road.
If coming by car, leave the A362 Warminster to Frome Road just before the railway bridge (coming from Warminster). Take a left turn by the Ton Dynasty Chinese restaurant. There should be some parking on the Retreat, or turn left at the top of the lane. There is also some parking on the drive.