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So what? you might say. They don’t look that different to the developer’s other new houses on the surrounding Irlam estate.
But that is exactly what Persimmon has tried to do with its latest project. Using cutting-edge technology, Persimmon has constructed five energy efficient homes which blend in so well with traditional living spaces that they offer a practical environmentally-friendly alternative.
Regional chairman of Persimmon, David Broadbent, explains: “House design has been consistent since Tudor times and consumers are slow to accept changes to the exterior of their homes. This project is unique because while the houses look like the other houses externally, internally they include all the latest technology to make them energy efficient.”
Indeed, there is a nod to tradition with mock Tudor beams on the house facades.
Energy efficient homes both reduce the energy needed to run them as well as minimising carbon dioxide emissions, hence limiting the impact of the gas on climate change.
Many of us are already familiar with the idea of solar panelsand wind turbines. However, these are by no means the only or the most effective ways to adapt your home. Other methods on display include air source heat pumps, which generate energy from the outside air,
Rainman systems that collect rainwater to be used for washing machines and toilets and geothermal energy poles, which are sunk into the ground and use the Earth’s heat and energy. as a renewable source for the home. And inside the builders have left walls and piping exposed in certain areas so you can see first hand what alternatives such as sheepswool insulation, underfloor heating or timber-frame construction look like.
“A lot of the changes made to these houses are uneconomic at the moment,” David admits. “This is a trial to see what it is like for us to use them.
Persimmon
“The Living-i project was conceived to help Persimmon try to assess various materials and modern methods of construction for the future. We also hope to use this project to demonstrate to the government what is possible and what obstacles stand in the way of delivering more sustainable homes and communities.”
Late last year, chancellor Gordon Brown announced that all new homes built by 2016 would be so green that they will produce no carbon at all. The announcement came when this project was well underway, so none of the homes is carbon neutral.
However, David believes that by combining the technology from each of the five houses it could be possible. How cost effective this would be, however, is not certain.
Development
“This project has taken two years and we have learned quite a bit during its development,” he adds. “We are now trying to assess which features we can introduce in the main stream by trialling them in specific housing schemes.
“I think that overall we will start to see some of this technology becoming more commonplace as energy prices rise and the price for installation comes down. Currently the pay back price for some of these systems is 25 years and that needs to come down for it to be practical.
“A lot of the land sold by the government now has conditions of sale attached – in this way the government can drive a lot of change towards more sustainable living. The idea is that everyone from school children right through to MPs can come in here and see what is on offer.”
The five prototype houses will be sold eventually. However, for the next year they will be used for show purposes only.
After the first year three of the houses will be sold, but the remaining two will be rented out, continuing the eco- experiment through regular feedback from the tenants on how the technology lends itself to every day living.
The Living-i development will be open from Sunday. For details visit living-i.co.uk.
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