Couple plan “greenest” house in UK in Denby Dale

Oct 8 2009 By Neil Atkinson

A NEW property in Denby Dale is set to become one of Britain’s most energy efficient homes with heating bills of just £70 a year.

While most people dread their winter fuel bills, Geoff and Kate Tunstall could be forgiven for feeling smug after discovering the house they’ve commissioned will save them so much money.

Their new home, which combines British construction techniques with German technology, is set to be finished in February.

And will be the first Anglicised version of the famous German Passivhaus.

The term means passive house and refers to the energy efficiency in buildings. It results in ultra-low energy buildings that creates a simple “tea cosy’’ effect and requires little energy for heating or cooling.

It relies on simple design, orientation towards the sun, careful construction and insulation 15 times greater than required by Government building regulations. This ensures almost complete air and wind tightness.

No draughts can get in the building and no heat can leak out, but the air is never stale, thanks to a mechanical heat recovery ventilation system that brings in fresh air from outside, which is warmed using 99% of the heat from the outgoing air.

Geoff, a retired art and design teacher, was amazed when he saw the energy-saving houses on a trip to Germany.

He said: “We were so impressed. They are ordinary, modest homes, nothing flash.

“It was minus two degrees outside but the house was warm and comfortable to live in.