Taunton boasts the West's first eco-council house
When it was ravaged by fire 18 months ago, the future of a traditional 1930s two- up two-down house was bleak.
But the semi-detached property in Taunton, Somerset, has risen from the ashes to become the West's first eco-council house as part of a project to prove that affordable solutions to combat climate change and tackle fuel poverty can be found.
Minister for the South West, Ben Bradshaw, paid a visit to 24 Belmont Road yesterday to see how a pioneering partnership between Taunton Deane Borough Council and Scottish and Southern Energy could transform the image of tired housing estates into cutting edge carbon-busting developments.
The public and private venture has seen £18,000 worth investment give the property an eco-facelift meaning the future tenants will be able to take advantage of the latest in renewable energy technology.
After a blaze ripped through the house in March 2007, the property was reduced to little more than a pile of rubble. The roof and first floor was completely destroyed and only blackened timbers remained.
But 18 months on, the house now comes complete with loft and cavity wall insulation, double-glazed windows and technology that harnesses the energy of the sun.
Scottish and Southern Energy's Jan Hudson said: "It shows that even the simplest of properties can indeed rise to new heights with a little enthusiasm.
"Properties, whether social or otherwise, can become energy-efficient, cost-effective with a little effort and any house potentially can partake in future technologies.
"Perhaps this is the start of a new era and an encouragement to all that it is never too late to think about how energy-efficient our homes are and what we can do to improve them."
Photovoltaic tiles are installed on the roof, neatly slotting into the conventional tiles. These generate electricity from daylight, helping to reduce energy bills and harmful carbon emissions.
The system is connected to the grid and any excess electricity generated can be sold back to the provider – again helping to reduce costly energy bills. In the summer, when daylight levels are high and fuel consumption tends to be low, the photovoltaic system should be able to produce real cost savings.
A solar thermal system is also installed to heat the domestic hot water system. This allows heated fluid to circulate through thermal tiles and is transferred to a heat exchanger in the base of the hot water cylinder. The heated water rises to the top of the tank, ready for use.
A traditional boiler is also connected to the cylinder to provide extra heat when and if needed. The roof tiles are as easy to fit as conventional tiles and are barely visible. They also have a long life.
The property will be open to visitors during October before being re-let to a tenant on the Council's housing list.
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