Nowadays, we all know how important it is to do as much as we can to reduce our carbon footprint. There are many ways to do this, from recycling your plastic bottles to replacing your petrol/diesel car with an electric one. Now, Newland Homes are offering you a chance to make a more significant commitment by moving into one of their zero carbon homes. Here, we’ll take a look at:
- What are zero carbon homes and how do they work?
- How much do zero carbon homes cost to run?
- Where are zero carbon homes currently available to buy?
What are zero carbon homes?
Zero carbon homes are properties that create as much prime energy as they need to function, i.e. energy needed to provide lighting, heating and hot water. The homes do not need to use energy originating from fossil fuels and therefore do not emit greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide.
Developers, such as Newland Homes, are able to achieve this in several ways. They have replaced gas boilers with air source heat pumps and increased the insulation levels in their homes. Newland Homes has also increased the quality and specification of the solar panels they install into their homes to ensure the capture of as much sunlight as possible, to assist with electricity production.
It’s not just the houses that are good for the environment. Newland Homes has taken many steps to make sure each development has a positive impact on the wildlife and nature around it, such as:
- Hedgehog highways are planned throughout all developments to ensure their safe passage.
- Mini anniversary woodlands / wildflower included where possible.
- Royal Horticultural Society approved bee friendly planting schemes have been included across all developments.
- Rainwater butts and composters have been installed where possible.
How much do zero carbon homes cost to run?
Newland Homes have built a total of 32 highly efficient homes on their development at Ryves Vale, Tickenham, leading to some incredible statistics on running costs. Some of the key features of this site include:
- 472 solar panels
- Over 13,500m2 of insulation installed in the ground, ceilings and walls of the homes
- 32 air source heat pumps up and running
- 32 electric car chargers connected
Thanks to all of this, homeowners are reporting running costs as low as £3.57 per week* in the summer. Less than a takeaway latte from most high-street coffee shops!
Read more about how much these homes cost to run.
*Obligatory standing charges applied by the energy company are on top of this.
Where are carbon zero homes currently available to buy?
If you’re interested in moving to a zero carbon home, you’re in luck! Newland Homes has developments across Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Wiltshire. Including zero carbon homes ready to move in to now at Court de Wyck, Claverham and Great Oaks, Engine Common.
Find out more about how these homes have been created here:
Want to move to a greener home?
You can search for environmentally friendly homes by selecting “greener choice” in our list of filters!
