Eco homes to be focus of new study (From The Oxford Times)

Eco homes to be focus of new study

11:00am Thursday 11th October 2012 in News

TWO houses will be the centre of a study to see if their green features actually make a difference.

Sanctuary Green Technologies has teamed up with a group at Oxford Brookes University to do the work after winning a £50,000 Government grant.

Researchers will measure the performance of energy efficient features at two properties at the redeveloped Bryan House, in Chapel Street, over six months.

Residents will also give feedback on using the eco-friendly features.

If the technology is proved to be beneficial it could change the way properties are built in the UK in the future.

The properties, a three and a four-bedroom house, are built to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and include solar panels, air source heat pumps, triple glazing and extra insulation.

Sophie Atkinson, head of community investment and sustainability for housing association Sanctuary Group, said: “As a leading housing provider, we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and are committed to improving the condition of our housing stock to help reduce carbon emissions.

“This project will allow us to identify the most effective energy-saving technologies which can be used in new developments and to deliver improvements to our homes across the country.”