Pioneering eco home is also a power station

23 November 2009

Zero carbon house latest green energy uk generator

Britain’s first zero-carbon house to be created by converting an existing building, is also an Ofgem-accredited mini power station making renewable electricity for Green Energy UK

A two-bed semi in Birmingham, originally built in 1840, has undergone a groundbreaking eco conversion – the first of its kind in Britain – to meet Level 6 (the highest level) of the UK Code for Sustainable Homes. The home at 103 Tindal St is now a four-bedroom dwelling with studio loft, and has also been equipped with photovoltaic panels to generate its electricity, with the surplus bought by Green Energy UK and fed into the National Grid. Making the surplus available to others via Green Energy UK and the National Grid offsets the cost of any imported electricity the residents use.

The unique building is the vision of architect John Christophers of Birmingham-based Associated Architects. John, who will also be living in the home, says: “It’s an eco-house that will produce at least as much energy as it consumes. It’s designed to protect the environment and to show green does not have to be dull. The technical challenges of adapting existing buildings to this standard are formidable; all other Level 6 houses have been new builds. However, it’s more sustainable to re-use rather build new, because considerable energy is used in construction. Standards set for new housing will result in only modest overall CO2 reductions if existing housing is not simultaneously improved.”

Green Energy UK chief executive and founder, Doug Stewart, says: “We are committed to making the greenest electricity commercially available, and being able to supply our customers with the electricity from this pioneering project is extremely satisfying. The building industry has huge potential to help the nation reduce its energy use and CO2 emissions, and John Christophers has demonstrated how.”