Green Living

Greencell Technologies – Eco Houses Saves Energy and Money

Eco houses show the best ways to save energy and money. Two eco houses have been created in St Ives and St Neots to encourage homeowners to think green.Greencell technologies articles. Be efficient and read latest developments to avoid online scams, wrong product reviews, fraud, boiler warning and heated water solar panels.

 

Huntingdonshire District Council purchased the houses and refurbished them to demonstrate energy-saving measures that cut costs and carbon.

These include improved heating, lighting, insulation, appliances and sustainable drought-resistant gardens.

The Green House Project homes are open to the public for one year, after which they will be sold on the open market.

The district council teamed up with the Building Research Establishment to create the homes, which they hoped would convince the public that simple energy-saving measures could make a real difference to household bills and carbon footprints.

The St Ives house will be used as the flagship property for the project.

The 1960s detached house has been extended at the side and the rear, and demonstrates sustainable improvements including a bio-diversity roof, rainwater harvesting and triple glazing.

Meanwhile the house in St Neots, a 1970s semi-detached property, has been refurbished to show simple improvements that can be made for a relatively small financial outlay and applied to most homes.

‘Ordinary homes’

Chris Jablonski, environment team leader at the council, said: “We’ve taken two ordinary homes that, at the time, weren’t designed with energy-efficiency in mind, and we’ve installed a number of measures to make them more airtight and less likely to leak.

“They’re now more efficient and in the process will save people money on their bills.”

Before the work began the total energy bill for the St Ives property was just over £1,000 per year. That has now been reduced by over £600.

“In carbon terms that’s a 75% saving, so we’re very pleased with that,” Mr Jablonski said.

The property has solar panels and a boiler to capture and deliver heated water. Its bio-diversity roof helps to insulate the property and, in the event of flash flooding, will absorb water and prevent the guttering from overflowing.

Not everything is as complicated, however. Many simple, low-cost measures have also been incorporated, such as draught proofing.

“That costs just a few pounds and you get a very quick pay-back,” said MrJablonski.

“This project is all about inspiring people to take small steps in the right direction.”

Sustainable gardens

Award-winning Cambridgeshire gardener Marney Hall designed the sustainable gardens at the front and rear of the St Ives property.

She was given a brief to create a bio-diverse space incorporating a wild meadow area, pond, woodland, hedgerows and a vegetable patch.

There are also butterfly borders and flowers that produce nectar for bees. Shelter is also provided for wildlife with bumble bee boxes and hedgehog homes hidden within the shrubbery.

Open days

MrJablonski said that an initial market valuation indicated that the two Green Houses were now worth substantially more than the council had paid for them, as a result of the improvements that had been made.

The Green Houses were officially opened on 29 October 2010 and will be open to the public for one year, from Saturday 6 November.

Entry is free and Huntingdonshire District Council plans to run a number of events throughout the year during which visitors can learn more about making their own homes more energy-efficient.

Details will be posted on The Green House Project website.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

Home energy use in the UK is currently responsible for producing more than 27% of all Carbon Emissions.
Whereas progress to reduce this is being made by improving the energy performance of new build properties, we must face the huge challenge of addressing existing, older inefficient properties, many of which will still be standing and occupied by 2050.
Such inefficient homes account for more than 90% of the existing housing stock, which highlights the importance of adapting them to suit 21st century living. Improving the thermal efficiency of existing properties will not only help meet the challenges of climate change, it will help householders tackle rising fuel costs, encourage well being and a provide a healthier living environment.
As part of Huntingdonshire District Council’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change, we have purchased two properties, which will be ‘sustainably’ refurbished and opened up to the public as demonstration homes.
In Huntingdonshire approximately 67,000 homes are privately owned. There is huge potential to improve the energy and water efficiency of the properties, which will help to reduce the district’s Carbon Footprint and bring existing homes up to a higher level of environmental performance.
The UK Government is committed to reducing carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2050.
If we are to reduce our carbon emissions and help slow down the effects of climate change we need a step change in our thinking – the way we live, travel and refurbish our properties plays a major part in that. It’s important for the Green House Project to demonstrate and influence sustainable refurbishment and to encourage a ‘low carbon lifestyle’.
The district council is working with the Building Research Establishment (BRE), whose expertise and guidance is integral to the project. The BRE will be providing the specifications for the improvements, which will be based around the results of extensive thermal and acoustic testing which has already been undertaken in both of the houses.
The Green House Project will take a ‘whole house’ approach to refurbishment, starting with the building fabric and insulation, windows, heating systems, ventilation, water efficiency measures and the installation of renewable energy technology including solar thermal for hot water and solar photovoltaics (PV) for energy.

The Solar House

flip and tumble 5-Pack Reusable Produce Bags $10.25 This set of 5 reusable produce bags has everything you need to reign in those awesome artichokes, tangy tangerines, perfect peaches, and more. You’ll find a ton of uses for them outside the market as well. They make the perfect little stashing place for travel toiletries, shoes, or other little odds and ends. With their generous size and convenient design, the reusable produce bags from flip & tum…

Sodastream Jet Starter Kit The Soda Stream Home Soda Maker is a fun, cost effective and eco-friendly addition to any home and a must have item for soda lovers. The idea is simple. Making your own soda gives you ultimate flexibility in your flavoring options without having to buy, carry and store large quantities of cans or plastic bottles. Each bottle of Soda Stream flavoring syrup makes the equivalent of approximately 33 1…

Nespresso Essenza C101 Espresso Maker, Titanium Grey $145.06 Enjoy fine espresso with delicious flavor using Nespresso’s flowstop Essenza automatic espresso machine. Designed for convenience and ultimate taste, the machine has a sleek and attractive titanium grey finish, and uses Nespresso’s superior coffee capsules. These capsules are hermetically sealed in a protective aluminum casing, and provide the freshest possible coffee. The machine uses a 19 bar pr…

Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings (Eco) $4.85 Given the churning tides of fashion and fate, six years can often feel more like an eternity in pop music. Yet Counting Crows’ first studio album since 2002 bristles with an urgent energy that makes their creative restlessness almost palpable. The Crows haven’t so much reinvented their roots-conscious ethos here, as shrewdly divided it along the album title’s thematic lines: “Saturday night is whe…

Number Ones (Eco-Friendly Packaging) $2.77 Number Ones Michael Jackson Label: Sony Release Date: 11/18/2003 1. Don’t Stop til You Get Enough 2. Rock With You 3. Billie Jean 4. Beat It 5. Thriller 6. Human Nature 7. I Just Cant Stop Loving You 8. Bad 9. Way You Make Me Feel, The 10. Dirty Diana 11. Smooth Criminal 12. Black or White 13. You Are Not Alone 14. Earth Song 15. Blood On the Dance Floor 16. You Rock My World 17. Break of Dawn 18…

Definitive Collection (Eco) $13.98 The first comprehensive collection of Lionel’s biggest Commodores and solo hits-plus two new tracks (including To Love a Woman with Enrique Iglesias)! Commodores classics like Easy; Still , and Three Times a Lady join Endless Love (with Diana Ross); Truly; Say You, Say Me; Hello; Dancing on the Ceiling; All Night Long (All Night); Penny Lover , and more!…

Specialty and Furniture Paint Finishes Made Easy: A Step By Step Guide [Debbie Travis Painted Home Video Series] (2 VHS Videos) $35.00 (2 VHS Videos -Specialty Paint Finishes and Paint Finishes for Furniture – Made Easy) 1) Using basic techniques, you can create specialty paint finishes to get professional results, simply & inexpensively. Debbie demonstrates striping, stoneblocking, block painting, stenciling, faux marble, faux granite, and combing. Includes decorating tips for transforming walls and furniture in every home. 2) W…

P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor $29.99 Empowers You to Save Hundreds on Electric Bills Electricity bills are rising. Now you can cut down on costs and find out what appliances are actually worth keeping plugged in. Simply connect these appliances to the Kill A Watt, and it will assess how efficient they really are. The large LCD display counts consumption by the kilowatt-hour, the same as your local utility. You can calculate your elec…

HYBRID SOLAR POWERED FLASHLIGHT WITH EMERGENCY BATTERY BACKUP BLACK (*2-pack*) $23.39 Hybrid Solar Powered Flashlight! Doesn’t Need To Be Left In The Sun! Once Charged It Can Be Stored Anywhere And Holds A Full Charge For Over 3 Years! The Hybrid Solar Light uses revolutionary technology that generates power from sunlight and stores it. When fully charged the Hybrid Solar Light can hold a charge for years. It is environmentally friendly, durable and guaranteed for life*. Features: …

Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater and Outdoor Shower $149.00 Enjoy instant hot water wherever you go with the Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater. Generating more than 1 gallon of hot water per minute, this compact, energy-efficient heater creates a more comfortable and convenient outdoor experience for you and your family. The water heater comes with everything you need, including the adapters required to attach any standard garden hose nozzle and p…

150 Best Eco House Ideas (Hardcover) $19.59 This sourcebook features the latest innovations in sustainable home design by internationally renowned architects and designers, including solar paneling, wind energy systems, environmentally-friendly heating and cooling solutions, thermal glazing and …

Eco House Book (Paperback) $16.33 In today`s world, when making home improvements, there is more to consider than simply changing the way your home looks or functions. Environmental issues should be part of every decision you make – from selecting fabric for soft furnishings to designi…

Eco-house Renovations (Hardcover) $28.51 Description not available.

Rustic Lodge Extra Large Dog House $249.99 This Eco-friendly dog house will outlast a wooden dog house and is designed to be the best for your pet. This rustic lodge dog house is manufactured from recycled polymers and recycled wood materials with the look and feel of real wood.

Ecohouse (Paperback) $46.17 Description not available.

200 Tips for De-cluttering Room by Room (Hardcover) $27.14 A book with full-color photos, floor plans and a resource directory provides tons of tips on tackling storage difficulties throughout the home, including kitchens, bathrooms, garages and much more, in a guide with plenty of “green” ideas, including roo…

Spaldin Innovation Eco-Superior Firm Tight-top 8-inch Queen-size Foam Mattress $407.69 Sleep in comfort with this firm Innovation queen-size premium natural polyol foam mattress. This mattress is highlighted by an organic cotton cover and open cell foam technology that helps wick away moisture to create an allergen-free sleep environment.

Natural Alternatives for Your and Your Home (Paperback) $16.97 Offers simple recipes that use natural materials to clean, beautify, and refresh the home and explains how to replace harsh commercial cleansers with effective, economical, and safe products.

Spaldin Innovation Eco-Superior Firm Tight-top 8-inch Twin-size Foam Mattress $296.09 Sleep in comfort with this firm Innovation twin-size eco-friendly polyol foam mattress. This mattress is highlighted by an organic cotton cover and open cell foam technology that helps wick away moisture to create an allergen free sleep environment.

E.C.O. Luxury Latex Firm 10-inch King-size Mattress $795.99 Rest peacefully on this high-density foam mattressBedroom furniture boasts latex that conforms to your body’s contours This latex king-size mattress is firm for exceptional orthopedic support and pressure relief

Spaldin Innovation Eco-Superior Firm Tight-top 8-inch King-size Foam Mattress $479.69 Sleep in comfort with this firm Innovation king-size eco-friendly, polyol foam mattress. This mattress is highlighted by an organic cotton cover and open cell foam technology that helps wick away moisture to create an allergen free sleep environment.

E.C.O. Luxury Latex Firm 10-inch Queen-size Mattress $627.29 Rest peacefully on this high-density foam mattressBedroom furniture boasts latex that conforms to your body’s contours This latex queen-size mattress is firm for exceptional orthopedic support and pressure relief

Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Brown Dial Leather Strap Chronograph Watch $223.99 A highly-polished stainless steel case houses a brown dial with three chronograph subdials in this fine timepiece from Citizen. A brown crocodile design leather strap and Eco-Drive technology finish this sophisticated and stylish watch.

Spaldin Innovation Eco-Superior Firm Tight-top 8-inch Full-size Foam Mattress $357.29 Sleep in comfort with this firm Innovation full-size eco-friendly polyol foam mattress. This mattress is highlighted by an organic cotton cover and open cell foam technology that helps wick away moisture to create an allergen free sleep environment.

E.C.O. Luxury Latex Firm 10-inch Twin-size Mattress $424.79 Rest peacefully on a high-density foam mattressBedroom furniture has latex that conforms to your body’s contours This latex twin mattress is firm for exceptional orthopedic support and pressure relief

Ed Begley, Jr.`s Guide to Sustainable Living (Paperback) $22.28 Description not available.

E.C.O. Luxury Latex Firm 10-inch California King-size Mattress $817.99 Rest peacefully on this high-density foam mattressBedroom furniture boasts latex that conforms to your body’s contours This latex California king-size mattress is firm for exceptional orthopedic support and pressure relief

E.C.O. Luxury Latex Firm 10-inch Full-size Mattress $546.29 Rest peacefully on this high-density foam mattressBedroom furniture boasts latex that conforms to your body’s contours This latex full-size mattress is firm for exceptional orthopedic support and pressure relief

Easy Green Living (Paperback) $16.34 A definitive guide to an eco-friendly lifestyle shares sensible suggestions for using an array of “green” home, garden, and beauty products and routines, with recommendations on safe, affordable options for renewable energy solutions, allergen-free tex…

The Restore. Recycle. Repurpose. (Hardcover) $14.1 Renovation that`s eco-friendly…AND economically smartFrom Country Living contributing editor Randy Florke (Your House, Your Home) comes a gorgeous guide …

Kanck Clean Home, Green Home (Paperback) $18.95 A visual handbook of eco-friendly housekeeping solutions presents quick, efficient, and safe cleaning options for every room in the home, explaining how to get a clean, germ-free home without the use of unhealthy chemicals, in a guide that includes rec…

Recycled Wood Handmade Birdhouse (Thailand) $55.49 This handmade birdhouse offers a fun, colorful design crafted from recycled wood by artisans in Thailand. Easy to clean out, this eco-friendly bird house comes with its own hanging hook.

E.C.O. Luxury Latex Firm 10-inch Twin XL-size Mattress $449.99 Rest peacefully on this high-density foam mattressBedroom furniture boasts latex that conforms to your body’s contours This latex extra-long twin mattress is firm for exceptional orthopedic support and pressure relief

Spaldin Innovation Eco-Superior Firm Tight-top 8-inch Twin XL-size Foam Mattress $328.49 Sleep in comfort with this firm Innovation full-size eco-friendly polyol foam mattress. This mattress is highlighted by an organic cotton cover and open cell foam technology that helps wick away moisture to create an allergen-free sleep environment.

All New Kitchen Idea Book (Paperback) $13.43 Over 350 color photgraphs to ignite your imagination ; Top design ideas from the country`s best kitchen professionals ; Expert information about cabinetry, lighting, and countertops ; Space-saving storage options ; Money-saving, eco-friendly green inno…

The Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly House Cleaning: $17.46 The Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly House Cleaning

Eco $11.99 Eco

Eco School House - $19.99 In the wake of losing a school trailer to arson in 2007, the Grant Elementary School administration works hand-in-hand with the community a renowned architect to build another, more environmentally friendly satellite classroom. Inspired by their success in the face of numerous setbacks and challenges, the administration creates a new curriculum designed to help students learn the benefits of environmentalism. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Free Shipping. Eco Friendly Insulated Dog House $449 This Eco Friendly Insulated Dog House by New Age Pet is weather proof, and made from ecoFLEX (recycled material) with a realistic wood appearance.  The light weight filled panels provide a heavy level of insulation from heat or cold.  Easy 10-minute, no tool assembly,  For pets up to up to 200 lbs. This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 2-8 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping. APO/FPO shipping unavailable

House of Doolittle Eco-friendly Appointment Planner $12.99 1 1 Day per 2 Page 1 Each 1 Week per 2 Page 1 Year 100% 27007 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM – Half-hourly 8.25″ x 8.50″ Eco-friendly one-week-per-two-page-spread, January through December appointment planner offers one-day-per-column planning. Appointment schedule runs from 7 AM to 10 PM in 30-minute intervals, weekends included. Planner has an embossed simulated leather cover. Made with 100% recycled paper that contains 30% post-consumer material. Printed with environmentally preferable soy ink. Manufacturer donates five percent of its profits to organizations that help preserve the environment. Blue Blue Cover December Eco-friendly Appointment Planner House of Doolittle January Leather Cover No Paper Planner Weekly Yes www.houseofdoolittle.com

Eco-Friendly Rustic Lodge Style Dog House $185 The Eco-Friendly Rustic Lodge Style Dog House has everything your pet needs to stay comfortable. Multilayer plastic panels insulate the dog house, keeping it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The offset door opens into an extra wide doghouse. Plastic paneling also makes these dog houses easy to clean, simply wash off with the garden hose. No tools are required for assembly, all the pieces snap together. Details like a drain in the floor, air vents and insulation cover every necessity. Durable plastic construction can stand up to the most extreme weather, ensuring it can be enjoyed for years to come. Made of plastic. Comes in cream with a brown roof. This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 2-8 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping. APO/FPO shipping unavailable

House of Doolittle Eco-friendly Vertical Planner $19.99 1 1 Day per 2 Page 1 Each 1 Week per 2 Page 1 Year 10.72 oz 100% 27139 8.50″ x 11″ 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM – Half-hourly Eco-friendly one-week-per-two-page spread, January through December planner offers one-day-per-column planning, weekends included. Weeks start on Mondays with an appointment schedule that runs from 8 AM to 8:30 PM in 30-minute intervals. Planner includes daily expense log, entertainment log and mileage log and has a suede-like cover. Made with 100% recycled paper that contains 30% post-consumer material. Printed with environmentally preferable soy ink. Manufacturer donates five percent of its profits to organizations that help preserve the environment. Blue Blue Cover December Eco-friendly Vertical Planner Entertainment Log Expense Log House of Doolittle January Julian Mileage Log No Paper Planner Weekly White White Page Wirebound Yes www.houseofdoolittle.com

Free Shipping. Eco Friendly Canine Condo Style Insulated Dog House $279 The Eco Friendly Canine Condo Style Insulated Dog House is made of post-consumer recycled plastic and wood fibers – the first in its category to be truly green!  This doghouse is resistant to pests, rot, weather and moisture and looks just like wood! Eco-Friendly Dog House Filled Panels Provide Heavy Duty Insulation Lead-Free, Non Fading Color Snaps Together Easy to Clean, Maintenance Free Has Air Vents, Floor Drains and Insulation Interior Dimensions: 37"L x 23.5"W x 28"H. Door Dimensions: 11.5"W x 15"H This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 2-8 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping. APO/FPO shipping unavailable

This Green House: Home Improvements for the Eco-Smart, the Thrifty, and the Do-It-Yourselfer $5.99 Just the thought of “going green” can make you feel blue. Trying to live sustainably sounds like a whole lot of work and a whole lot of deprivation. Well, Josh Piven aims to both shrink your carbon footprint and soothe your eco-anxiety. In a guidebook thatÂ’s as funny as it is practical, Piven shows you how to green every room of the house – and have a good time doing it. Projects range from the playful (raising trout in your swimming pool) all the way to big-time, serious home alterations (installing a root cellar) that will have your neighbors green with envy. DonÂ’t fret if youÂ’re not a natural wrench-turner: Most of PivenÂ’s suggestions are inexpensive, totally approachable, and accompanied by clear illustrations. This Green House is likely to be the most entertaining homeownerÂ’s manual youÂ’ve ever used.

Free Shipping. Eco-Friendly Rustic Lodge Style Dog House $299 The Eco-Friendly Rustic Lodge Style Dog House has everything your pet needs to stay comfortable. Multilayer plastic panels insulate the dog house, keeping it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The offset door opens into an extra wide doghouse. Plastic paneling also makes these dog houses easy to clean, simply wash off with the garden hose. No tools are required for assembly, all the pieces snap together. Details like a drain in the floor, air vents and insulation cover every necessity. Durable plastic construction can stand up to the most extreme weather, ensuring it can be enjoyed for years to come. Made of plastic. Comes in cream with a brown roof. This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 2-8 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping. APO/FPO shipping unavailable

Set of 2 Eco Country Table Top Snowmen Christmas Figures with Bird House & Tree $69.99 From the Eco Country Collection Item #44906 Add holiday cheer to your Christmas decor with these joyous snowman figures holding a bird house and Christmas tree Approximate dimensions: 17″ Material(s): paper mache

Medium Rustic Lodge Eco Concept House ECOH201M $207.42 The ecoConcepts dog houses are resistant to pests rot weather and moisture yet can be made in a variety of appearances from cedar to redwood. Featuring nonfading color that goes all the way through the panel these attractive houses can either be left as is or painted with any color exterior quality latex paint. Plus they assemble in minutes and are completely leadfree. Made of recycled postconsumer materials. Snaps together in minutes without tools (click here to see an assembly demo). Displays beautifully in compact packaging (click here for photo). Weather resistant moisture proof insect free. Easy to clean with a garden hose. Maintenancefree. Lasts and looks attractive for years. Has air vents floor drains and insulation. Outside dimensions: 32 x 30 x 30

Bambeco Natural Remodeling for the Not-so-Green House Books Carol Venolia is an award-winning architect and author specializing in the field of eco-healthy buil $24.95 Carol Venolia is an award-winning architect and author specializing in the field of eco-healthy building. Her book suggests ways to live greener even if your house is conventionally not-so-green.

Nature Babycare Eco Disposable Bags $3.79 These economical multi-purpose bags from Nature Babycare are totally biodegradable and compostable.  They are handy to have around the house for everything from diapers to doggie cleanup. Features and Benefits of Nature babycare disposal bags: Multi use – great for eco-friendly diapers, doggie clean up & small waste disposal 100% Compostable and Biodegradable Consumer packaging made of chlorine-free recyclable and renewable material Kinder to the environment than plastic bags Packaging based on natural material – No oil-based plastic A must for every diaper bag Contains 50 bags

House! $4.99 House!

House This $10.49 House This

In The House $10.49 In The House

House $4.99 House

House, The $7.99 House, The

In House $9.99 In House

Tags: architecture, design, eco house, eco house cleaning, eco house designs, eco house plans, eco housewares, environment, green, home

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 4:21 pm and is filed under Green Living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.