Eco home shines thanks to solar (From The Oxford Times)

Eco home shines thanks to solar

9:43am Thursday 26th January 2012

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Two new four-storey homes in Blandford Avenue are designed to reduce energy bills to virtually zero.

Photovoltaic roof tiles produce solar electricity, the water is heated by solar panels and an air source heat pump recirculates air around the house.

This creates more energy than the household uses, allowing the owners to deposit energy back into the grid and receive feedback tariff funds.

Gavin West, of agents Kemp & Kemp, said: “Given the meteoric rise of fossil fuel costs, a major part of the long-term appeal of these houses will be the 25 years of guaranteed feedback tariff, about £750 per annum, that owners will receive from energy companies.

“Some people run scared of anything labelled eco, or think technology is another term for expensive gizmos that go wrong. That is not the case here, as energy-saving is built into these houses’ DNA. They have been constructed with structure-insulate panels that form the internal envelope to ensure every part of the external walls and roof are insulated.”

Each of the Homespace-built semi-detached houses has 2,800 sq ft of space, including a vaulted kitchen/family room with doors to the garden, dining room and sitting room.

There are five double bedrooms and three bathrooms, including a master bedroom with ensuite.

The basement houses a utility room, wine cellar and another living room agents say could be used as an office or teenager’s room.

One of the houses is sold but number 40B Blandford Avenue is on the market for £1.15m. Call Kemp & Kemp on 01865 510000 or visit kempandkemp.co.uk