This angular eco-home in Buckinghamshire blends seamlessly into its surroundings. For sale through United Kington Sotheby's International Realty. Photo: Tom Bird
The Great Big Green Week, which runs until June 16, celebrates action to tackle climate change with community events taking place across the country. However, just like charity, environmental awareness begins at home and measures such as reducing gas and electricity consumption, improving insulation, repairing and recycling all help. Or you could make a long-term commitment towards protecting the planet by moving to an eco-friendly property that’s built sustainably and is cost-effective to run. These are some of the most interesting currently on the market.
1. Spring Meadows, Drighlington, Leeds, from £340,000
Photo: Bridgfords
Brand new three and four-bedroom townhouses with a minimal carbon footprint, both in terms of construction and operation. Each property has triple glazed windows, a smart renewable hot water and electricity supply, solar panels and an air purification system and they are so well-insulated that heating is rarely needed, even in the depths of winter. By PureHaus through Bridgfords.
2. Hollymead Square, Newport, Essex, from £489,950
Photo: Hill
These 89 homes – two-bedroom bungalows and two to five-bedroom houses – make up the country’s largest ‘Zero Bills’ development. The result of an innovative long-term partnership between house builder The Hill Group and Octopus Energy, they are so efficient that buyers won’t receive energy bills for five years, guaranteed through Octopus’ world-first smart tariff. They’re being sold off-plan and will be kitted out with heat pumps, solar PV panels and batteries to store surplus electricity. Find out more from The Hill Group.
The final four-bedroom house in a small scheme of five former MOD officers’ homes. All have been fully refurbished and retrofitted by developer Annington, bringing them up to an energy performance certificate (EPC) A rating – a standard achieved by only the most energy efficient properties. Sustainable upgrades include an AI-powered smart cylinder tank alongside an air source heat pump, solar PV panels, double-glazed windows and thermal rendering. For further information visit Marlborough Close.
4. Stoney Wood, Wynyard Village, County Durham, from £594,995
Photo: Rosie Davison Photography
Energy efficiency is at the core of these new three, four and five-bedroom houses in the grounds of historic Wynyard Hall. EPC A rated, they are heated by air source heat pumps and fitted with solar panels, underfloor heating and electric car charging points. This is one of the first sites in the North East to comply with Part L regulations – a standard that decrees all new homes should be built with the aim of increasing conservation of fuel and power. Contact Cameron Hall Homes.
5. Wester Happrew, Peebles, Scottish Borders, offers over £599,950
Photo: ESPC
This five-bedroom steading – once a granary – was built in 1846 and has been completely renovated over the past couple of years. As well as contemporary high-end interiors and far-reaching views, it boasts an A-rated EPC and is carbon neutral. Windows are triple glazed, electricity’s generated via rooftop solar PV panels and stored in a battery, and a ground source heat pump and zone-controlled underfloor heating optimize temperatures and energy efficiency. Available from Blackwood & Smith LLP via ESPC.
If you prioritize wow factor as well as green features, check out this four-bedroom three-bathroom house, which was constructed in the Victorian era as subterranean water reservoir. Tucked into a hillside, it enjoys panoramic views over the town and Bristol Channel towards Lundy Island and benefits from triple glazing, a ground source heat pump and a super insulating grass roof. Via Jackson-Stops.
7. The Den, Ansty, Dorchester, Dorset, £850,000
Photo: Meyer Estates
Just 10 years old, this is the first Passivhaus – meaning it complies with strict energy efficiency design standards – that was built and certified in Dorset. The three/four-bedroom three-storey house is timber-framed, clad in Siberian Larch and in show home condition. It’s highly insulated and has triple glazing, solar PV panels that generate electricity and a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system to provide fresh air while maintaining an even temperature. Contact Meyer Estates.
8. Luxley House, Golders Green, London NW11, £1.75m
Photo: Sam Walker
A three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment on the first floor of a luxury development of nine homes, believed to be one of the first in the country to achieve net zero status. Incorporates a green living wall, air source heat pumps providing underfloor heating and hot water, solar PV cells on the roof, electric car charging points and superquilt insulation, which reflects 98% of radiant heat back into the building. Get in touch with Luxley House.
9. Petersfield, Hampshire, £2.395m
Photo: Winkworth
Space and privacy abound in this substantial 4,200 square foot house, reached via a single track lane and surrounded by over two acres of land. There are five bedrooms, four bathrooms and four reception rooms, plus a host of energy saving features such as triple glazing, an air source heat pump, solar panels with battery storage, underfloor heating and a clean air ventilation and heat recovery system. It comes with a building warranty until 2031. Available from Winkworth.
10. Yarrow House, Birch Grove, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, £3.275m
Photo: Tom Bird
One of three new architecturally-striking net zero homes embodying the principles of biophilic design, with planted atriums and blended indoor and outdoor living spaces. It has five bedrooms, a huge open plan kitchen/living space and a converted silo in the library plus solar panels, an air source heat pump, MVHR and an electric car charger. On the market through United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty.
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