Bill and Lottie Taylor built a new eco house for their retirement because they wanted to do their bit to create a more sustainable future for their grandchildren and to future-proof a new home in terms of comfort and minimising running costs. Their architect, Lucy Ward, was looking for a company that could provide a one-stop shop and design and install a range of integrated renewable energy technologies and she contacted the Eco East Anglia office.
In this video, Lottie Taylor explains the process and proudly shows off their Green Heart Community Award for Best Energy Saving Initiative. Lottie gives Ecoliving 10 out of 10 for the design and delivery of the integrated renewable technologies in their eco home.
The primary heat source for the Taylors award winning home in St. Neots, Huntingdonshire, is a Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan air source heat pump. The Ecodan heat pump, along with 8m² of solar thermal panels, charge a 500 litre accumulator tank. The heat is then distributed throughout the house’s three floors via under floor heating and hot water supplied via a coil in the tank. Eco East Anglia recommended a Mitsubishi Ecodan air source heat pump because of the low noise (important in a built up area), simplicity of install and reliability.
A heat recovery ventilation system is a prerequisite with highly insulated and air tight houses like the Taylor’s and ensures that moisture is extracted and a healthy and comfortable indoor climate maintained. The heat from the extracted air also warms the incoming fresh air which provides additional energy savings.
Solar photovoltaic panels on the roof help to offset the electricity used by the heat pump and attract the Feed-in Tariff which further minimises energy bills.