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- The top 6 eco homes that are ready to buy right now
- DIY project on the cards? Take the stress out of waste clearance with HIPPO's clever new app
- Gas boilers could be banned from 2025 - what does this mean for energy bills and the environment?
| The top 6 eco homes that are ready to buy right now Posted: 31 May 2021 04:00 AM PDT What is it that ticks your boxes when you’re scrolling for a new home? Lots of space? Period features? A good location? We all have our requirements, but if ‘environmentally friendly’ is also on your list, then you may want to check out some of these properties below. Which can only be described as the dreamiest eco homes for sale right now! There are many advantages to going green when it comes to your housing, from saving you money to helping the planet. However it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on good design – far from it, in fact. These super-stylish eco homes each come with their own set of green credentials, making them incredibly saleable, plus they’re all on the market and ready to buy right now. Want to find out more? Read on and find out why going green is a major plus point for upcoming properties – and who knows, you may find your future home. 1. Eco home with imaginative design: Stubwood GranaryDon’t you just love a property conversion that was something completely different to begin with? This imaginative eco home was originally two agricultural grain silos that have been converted into a three-storey, five-bedroom house that features open-plan living and stunning views. Set in Hungerford in Berkshire, the property’s utilitarian design is a stark contrast to its picturesque surroundings in the countryside – with views over a large pond. It’s a sustainable way of making use of these former farm buildings and we’re sure you’ll agree it makes a striking first impression.  Image credit: Knight Frank Large modern windows keep the indoors light and make the most of the views, while a terrace outside is ideal for entertaining or enjoying the setting. Inside, an impressive atrium-style full-height entrance hallway leads into a bespoke curved kitchen, and on to an open-plan dining area and spacious sitting room with modern wood burner. There’s also a separate utility and boot room, and if you carry on up the steel and glass designed winding staircase, you’ll find a further two floors with another living room, bedrooms and bathrooms. Outside you can see the double garage, and above it is an annex and store room. Now, you’d be forgiven for thinking that a property of this vast size would be expensive to keep warm, but this cleverly-designed space features air source heating, which absorbs heat from the outside air in order to heat the inside and provide hot water. It’s a low-carbon way of heating your home and extremely efficient. Intrigued? So are we. See it for yourself: Stubwood Granary, £1,950,000, Knight Frank Eco home with royal connections: SilverdaleWe have a treat for you in the form of this home, which is more than a little bit special as not only does it have a focus on sustainability, but the owner can also boast its gardens were designed by a former gardener to the Queen! The stunning landscaping, flower beds and surrounding woodland are a feature in themselves, at just under an acre plot, but it’s the house that we want to look at in more depth.
 Image credit: The Modern House This jaw-dropping glass structure was designed by celebrated German housebuilder Peter Huf, whose philosophy is that a luxury lifestyle and eco-friendly living needn’t be mutually exclusive. Silverdale (named due to the canopy of silver birch trees that surround the house) lies on a private residential road close to the centre of Gerrards Cross in the Chilterns and the house itself is over 4,600sq ft, with double-height ceilings and three glazed aspects. Inside, you’ll find an open-plan ground level that’s made up of a dining room, living room and kitchen, which feature lighting by Tom Dixon. There’s a home office, five bedrooms, a cinema room, bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes and multiple balconies and patio areas. The glazed walls are triple thickness, so you have complete seclusion to outside noise. There’s also an integrated electric blind system. And did we mention that the joinery throughout the house has been custom made, as has much of the furniture? So, what is that makes this house eco-friendly? Well, houses designed by Huf all have a focus on sustainability and exceptional efficiency, with Silverdale incorporating structural thermal insulation with zoned heating and an effective means of natural air circulation. Underfloor heating runs throughout the house, too, and an air source heat pump ensures energy efficiency. Simply stunning. See it for yourself: Silverdale, £3,600,000, The Modern House Eco home with future proofing: Cubis BrutonOnce described as the ‘most fashionable place to live’, sought-after Bruton in Somerset is a creative and eclectic town, with a trendy high street and world-renowned art gallery. It’s also home to a new contemporary development of three and four-bedroom eco houses, courtesy of Acorn Property Group. We’ll start with the aesthetic of the houses, which are made using locally-sourced sustainable resourced local timber. Each one is modern and although very square in design, the mix of timber cladding and stone facade makes for an impressive build.  Image credit: Acorn Property Group Inside, open-plan design, contemporary fitted Leicht kitchens and underfloor heating are all great attributes, but what really makes this property stand out from the crowd is its green credentials. From superior insulation to enhanced energy efficiency and green roofs, each house has a number of highly sustainable assets both indoors and out. A full environmental assessment and ecological surveys have resulted in bat and bird boxes being installed in surrounding trees to ensure animal habitats and trees stay protected. Plus, each of the green roofs allow for a range of planting options and provide important microclimates for birdlife and other species. That’s not all… there’s also infrastructure for electric car charging points provided as standard, smart metres so homeowners can digitally monitor their gas and electricity consumption, and LED lighting used throughout for more efficient, cleaner lighting. In effect, these forward-thinking houses have been future proofed as much as possible. Impressive work. See it for yourself: Cubis Bruton, from £555,000, Acorn Property Group Eco home with sheer style: OssiclesIf you’re after a home with the wow-factor, then you won’t get much better than this unique new-build. Designed by an architect, contemporary Ossicles is nestled in a peaceful hamlet near to Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, once voted as one of the best places to live in the English countryside. Set in the Chiltern Hills amongst rolling hills and greenery, this house has been thoughtfully considered both indoors and out. Large open-plan spaces are cleverly separated by glass, with dramatic vaulted ceilings and an abundance of light. Benefitting from five bedrooms and four bathrooms, the property covers 3,359sq ft and is set in 0.6 acres, which although classed as a rural location, is in fact just 40 miles from Central London.  Image credit: Knight Frank Inside is just as impressive as out. Step into the vaulted lobby where a glass walkway above leads to a partially suspended study. The dining and one of the reception areas (there are three in total) feature a wall of glass doors that open completely onto a limestone terrace and the garden beyond. So, let’s look at its eco credentials… Again, a low-carbon air source heat pump keeps it energy efficient, along with solar panels, which you’ll spot in the image above. Add to that its underfloor heating, which makes an eco-friendly heating system and you have a dramatic build that offers its occupants some impressive environmentally-friendly features. See it for yourself: Ossicles, £2,750,000, Knight Frank Eco home with a light-filled interior: Quarry HillsLeyburn in North Yorkshire is a charming market town that has a secret up its sleeve in the form of this exceptionally energy-efficient house. Quarry Hills, named due to its elevated south-facing position in the Quarry Hills Conservation Area, was the first house in the region to be accredited with Passivhaus Plus status, which means that not only does it drastically reduce energy use, but it also produces as much energy as its occupants consume. Clever, eh? Situated at the end of a private road, the house sits in a quiet plot with a private driveway and integral garage. You can see that its exterior is a mix of lime render, zinc and Yorkshire stone, giving it a very distinct look, while the foundations were built using recycled concrete aggregate and the insulation is formed from straw bales. Each of this home’s three storeys has far-reaching views across the Yorkshire Dales and Penn Hill, while private gardens and a vegetable plot surround the property.  Image credit: The Modern House Notice anything different about the roof? That’s because Quarry Hills has 29 photovoltaic solar panels – and that’s just one of its energy efficient features. You’ll also find it boasts water and heat-recovery systems that keep running costs at impressively low levels of around £150 per year. Inside, the walls have been lined in lime plaster and finished in breathable paints – with an open-plan layout, modern kitchen, several bedrooms and even a roof terrace. Timber flooring and beams, floor-to-ceiling glazing, breathtaking views and tons of natural light are just a few of the features that make this property so much more than just an efficient running house. See it for yourself: Quarry Hills, £500,000, The Modern House Eco home with charm: Elsworth CourtAt first sight you’d be forgiven for thinking that this traditional-looking home is simply another stunning country build, but we’re pleased to report there’s a lot more to this place than looks would suggest. Recently built and completed in 2018, Elsworth Court is a highly efficient modern property set in Holwell, a small village close to Sherborne in Dorset. Approached through electric gates, the house itself is built within 4.2 acres of pasture, surrounded by lawn, fruit trees, an ornamental kitchen garden and a paddock. Its exterior is a mix of two materials: the ground floor built in local Purbeck stone, while the first floor is clad in Canadian red cedarwood that has mellowed to a beautiful silvery shade. If you aren’t won over by the far-reaching views over unspoilt countryside, then the handsome looks of this house are likely to draw you in.  Image credit: Knight Frank Inside, the house has been finished to a high standard. Four bedrooms and three bathrooms provide plenty of space for families, while the living room features a Bath stone fireplace and wood-burning stove, and the kitchen-diner has all the mod cons you’d need, along with granite work surfaces and a large central island. On the eco front, you can expect extremely high levels of insulation, including a ground source heating system along with triple-glazed windows and doors that protect against heat loss. There’s also a focus on the use of adaptable technology (connected by Cat8 network cabling), so it’s fair to say every little detail has been well thought out. Not only that, but whoever purchases this beautiful home will find that utilities have already been pre-laid for a garage block, should they wish to build it, with a workshop, WC and separate summer house or home office. See it for yourself: Elsworth Court, £1,295,000, Knight Frank
Do you have a favourite out of all these homes? The post The top 6 eco homes that are ready to buy right now appeared first on Ideal Home.  |
| DIY project on the cards? Take the stress out of waste clearance with HIPPO's clever new app Posted: 31 May 2021 01:30 AM PDT It’s prime DIY time, when so many of us are kicking off home renovation projects or are on a mission to get the garden shipshape in time for the summer. Whatever your project is, HIPPO’s new app is here to make sure it runs smoothly. With a big renovation project comes waste, and instead of spending your days in long queues at your local recycling centre, HIPPO’s app means you can organise your waste collection in minutes. Designed with speed and convenience in mind, you can order a HIPPOBAG with a simple a tap on the screen, then you can easily arrange for your waste to be collected when the bag’s been filled up. Plus, you can store your contact details within the app and save order details to make it even easier for your next project!  Image credit: Joanna Henderson The HIPPOBAGs come flat packed, so they are easy to stash away until you begin work. When you’re ready to get started, all you have to do is fill your bag and once you’re done, you can pop onto the app to book your collection. Taking away the stress and time pressure when it comes to removing the waste means you can just focus on the project itself. How do I choose the right bag for my project? Image credit: David Giles The HIPPOBAG is available in three different sizes, depending on the scale of your project: the MIDI, ideal for garden clearances and rubble; the MEGA, which can take an entire bathroom rip out; and SKIP, for when you’re ripping out a kitchen or doing a large home clearout. Prices start at £12.49 for the MIDI bag or only £144.99 for the MIDI bag including collection. And to make it even more straightforward, you don’t even need to be at home when your HIPPOBAG is delivered or collected. The bags can be taken away without you needing to be there, which means you have more time to get on with the things you really need to do. Is it eco-friendly? Image credit: HIPPO When it comes to green credentials, HIPPO is rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with all waste taken to one of 250 accredited waste transfer stations. 95% of this waste is saved from landfill, making it an eco-friendly solution to your waste removal needs – and even the HIPPOBAGs themselves are 100% recyclable. So, don’t delay your next DIY project, get started right now by downloading the HIPPO app from your app store. For more information, visit HIPPO, call HIPPO on 0333 999 0 999 or follow HIPPO on Facebook. The post DIY project on the cards? Take the stress out of waste clearance with HIPPO's clever new app appeared first on Ideal Home.  |
| Gas boilers could be banned from 2025 - what does this mean for energy bills and the environment? Posted: 30 May 2021 11:00 PM PDT The International Energy Agency has announced that gas boilers should be banned from sale from 2025 to help save the planet from climate change.
According to the IEA, the energy sector accounts for around 75 per cent of greenhouse emissions around the world, so it makes sense to stop using natural gas boilers. The question is, is the alternative – the electric boiler – more environmentally friendly, and how would installing an electric boiler affect us? Will electric boilers save on energy bills?In the long run, heating your home from ground heat pumps is more efficient, which will save you money. ‘100% of the electricity you use and pay for directly converts into heat and therefore lowers consumption, as you don't need to use as much to heat the home,’ says Antonio Dengra, CEO at leading electric heating company Rointe. ‘You can also have more control over usage as there's the option to control each heating device individually, which in turn helps to minimize expensive bills.’  Image Credit: Lizzie Orme The issue is the initial cost of installing heat pumps, which ranges between £6,000 and £18,000 depending on the individual home. A high level of home insulation is also essential to make them worth the effort, which won’t be possible everywhere. Of course, retrofitting electric heating systems in homes that are currently heated by gas will be a massive logistical and financial challenge. All of these steps will require substantial government subsidies. As Roger points out, ‘the great task of shifting heating from gas will be expensive and difficult’. Will electric boilers help the environment? Image credit: Rointe The answer to this question is that it will very much depend on how we produce the electricity to power said boilers. If we use electricity from renewable sources such as wind, solar, and ground heat, then yes, switching to electric heating absolutely can help us achieve the net-zero carbon targets necessary to prevent dangerous global temperature increases by Mid-century. ‘Heat pumps offer the same heating potential as gas boilers, except they're powered by low-carbon electricity,’ explains Antonio Dengra. ‘They deliver around 25-85 per cent CO2 savings per home over a 60-year lifetime. To put this into perspective, using heat pumps would mean a 90% reduction in lifetime carbon emissions.’ This is impressive. However, environmental scientists are deeply worried by proposals to generate electricity via the burning of biofuel, which would mean burning wood and using even more land for energy crops. Hannah Mowat from Fern, a Brussels-based NGO that aims to protect forests, is worried about the impact on forests. ‘Burning forests for energy is the latest in a parade of false climate solutions. Instead of burning trees for energy, we should focus on cutting fossil fuel use, maximising energy efficiency and increasing renewables such as solar, wind, heat pumps and geothermal.’  Image credit: David Parmiter As Roger Harrabin, Environment Analyst from the BBC, puts it, the ‘route to net-zero will require massive investments and international co-operation on an unprecedented scale.’ For example, ‘the world will need to install four times the amount of wind and solar panel energy than it did in 2020.’
Having said all of this, if these challenges are overcome, and if the majority of electric boilers in the UK are powered by renewable energy, the benefits to both the environment and our energy bills will far outweigh any initial inconvenience of turning away from gas heating. The post Gas boilers could be banned from 2025 - what does this mean for energy bills and the environment? appeared first on Ideal Home.  |
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