Eco-home goes with the flow (From The Oxford Times)

Eco-home goes with the flow

11:58am Thursday 26th April 2012 in Featured Properties By Gill Oliver

An award-winning eco house in Oxford is first and foremost a lovely family home, according to its owner.

Barbara Hammond, director of Low Carbon Oxford and architect husband David bought the end-of-terrace house in East Street, Osney Island, in 2000 and spent two years ‘greening’ it.

As a result, they say the three-bedroom property’s energy use is 80 per cent lower than the average UK household.Renewable technology features include photovoltaic panels, rockwool insulation, high performance double glazing and a heat pump, drawing energy from the River Thames.

There is also a sun space with glazed roofing which can be opened out to the rest of the area to increase or reduce heat. The ground floor is open-plan with a 43ft reception room and there are three bedrooms and a family bathroom.

In the garden is a detached studio/office with high insulation and double glazing.

The three-storey Victorian house looks out over the river. Mrs Hammond, who previously worked for Sir David King, the Government’s chief science adviser, said: “It was just two-up, two-down when we bought it, but our vision was to create a really well designed family house that was energy efficient.

“It is an eco house but first and foremost it is a lovely family home and we will be sad to leave.”

The couple, who have two children aged 20 and 16, are selling because they are ready to tackle a new project — a two-bedroom terraced house around the corner in West Street which they plan to refurbish and turn into another low carbon haven.

Number 34 East Street is on the market for £600,000. Contact agents Pearce Alder on 01865 246502 or visit pearcealder.com