Sustainability & Renewable Technologies

Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are a key component in our commitment to eco-friendly design. These systems extract heat from the outside air, even in cold weather, and convert it into warmth for your home. This process is not only energy-efficient but also reduces your carbon footprint by minimising reliance on fossil fuels.

Incorporating ASHPs into our designs allows us to create homes that are not only beautiful and functional but also aligned with the latest in green technology. With their ability to provide both heating and cooling, air source heat pumps offer year-round climate control, ensuring a comfortable living environment regardless of the season. Moreover, their compact size and flexibility make them an ideal choice for modern bespoke homes, seamlessly integrating into various architectural styles without compromising aesthetics.

We work closely with Heat Pump Tech who can design, install and maintain your ASHP.

Ground source heating harnesses the stable, natural heat stored beneath the earth’s surface to provide efficient and consistent warmth for your home. By utilising a network of pipes buried underground, known as ground loops, the system extracts heat from the ground and transfers it indoors via a heat pump.

Ground source heating systems are incredibly efficient, using significantly less energy compared to traditional heating methods. This translates into lower energy bills and a reduced environmental impact.

Although the initial installation can be higher than conventional systems, the long-term savings on energy bills make ground source heating a smart financial investment. Many homeowners see a return on their investment within a few years.

As a renewable energy source, ground source heating reduces reliance on fossil fuels, helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote a cleaner, greener environment.

Unlike air-source heat pumps, ground source systems are unaffected by external weather conditions. This ensures a consistent and reliable heat supply throughout the year, providing unparalleled comfort in your home.

With fewer moving parts and components safely buried underground, ground source heating systems require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan compared to traditional heating systems.

Our love for electric vehicles goes beyond the drive; it's about embracing a future where sustainability and convenience coexist. We know firsthand the joy and benefits of driving electric, and we bring that enthusiasm to every project we undertake.

For many, the only disappointment of going electric is found when choosing a charge point. For those who love their home as much as their car, the choice is limited. We like to specify Anderson wall chargers on our projects who produce some fabulous designs. Check them out here.

Andersen-EV

We specialise in seamlessly incorporating solar panels into new house designs, creating homes that are not only beautiful but also energy-efficient and sustainable. Our approach ensures that solar technology is an integral part of your home's architecture from the ground up.

Key Benefits:

Optimised Placement: We strategically position solar panels to maximise sunlight exposure, ensuring optimal energy generation.

Aesthetic Integration: Our designs harmoniously blend solar panels with your home’s overall aesthetic, maintaining visual appeal.

Energy Efficiency: By incorporating solar panels into the initial design, we enhance your home’s energy efficiency from day one.

Sustainability: Building with solar energy in mind reduces your home's carbon footprint and promotes a greener future.

Cost Savings: Starting with solar integration can lower construction costs and provide long-term savings on energy bills.

Our team of experts collaborates with you to design a home that meets your aesthetic and functional needs while embracing the benefits of solar energy.

We prioritise the Fabric First strategy in our architectural designs, ensuring your home is built to maximise energy efficiency and sustainability from the outset. This approach focuses on enhancing the building's thermal performance through high-quality materials and construction techniques, reducing the need for additional heating and cooling.

Key Elements of the Fabric First Strategy:

High-Performance Insulation: Superior insulation materials are used throughout the building envelope to minimise heat loss and maintain consistent indoor temperatures.

Air Tightness: We implement meticulous construction practices to seal gaps and cracks, preventing unwanted air infiltration and improving energy efficiency.

Thermal Bridging: Our designs address and eliminate thermal bridges, areas where heat can easily transfer through the building structure, ensuring a more consistent thermal performance.

Efficient Windows and Doors: High-performance glazing and well-sealed doors reduce heat loss, enhance natural light, and improve overall comfort.

Material Selection: We choose sustainable, durable materials that contribute to the building’s thermal efficiency and longevity.

Benefits of the Fabric First Strategy:

Energy Efficiency: By focusing on the building fabric, we reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling, leading to lower utility bills.

Comfort: Enhanced thermal performance results in a more comfortable living environment with fewer temperature fluctuations.

Sustainability: Reducing energy demand and using sustainable materials contribute to a lower carbon footprint.

Cost Savings: Investing in high-quality materials and construction techniques upfront can lead to significant long-term savings on energy costs.

Building Longevity: A well-constructed building with superior thermal performance stands the test of time, requiring less maintenance and offering better durability.

We incorporate Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems into our designs to enhance indoor air quality and energy efficiency. MVHR systems are essential for modern, airtight homes, providing fresh air while recovering heat that would otherwise be lost.

What is MVHR?

MVHR systems work by extracting stale air from rooms like kitchens and bathrooms and using it to warm the incoming fresh air from outside. This process significantly reduces energy consumption while ensuring a continuous supply of fresh, filtered air throughout your home.

Key Features of MVHR:

Heat Recovery: The system recovers up to 90% of the heat from the outgoing air, using it to warm the incoming fresh air, thereby reducing heating costs.

Improved Air Quality: Continuous ventilation removes indoor pollutants, moisture, and allergens, ensuring a healthier living environment.

Energy Efficiency: By recovering heat and reducing the need for additional heating, MVHR systems contribute to overall energy efficiency and lower utility bills.

Airtight Homes: MVHR systems are especially effective in airtight, well-insulated homes where traditional ventilation might compromise energy efficiency.

Benefits of MVHR:

Consistent Comfort: Maintain a comfortable indoor climate with stable temperatures and humidity levels.

Healthier Living: Improved indoor air quality reduces the risk of respiratory issues and creates a healthier environment for you and your family.

Energy Savings: Significant reduction in heating costs due to efficient heat recovery.

Sustainability: Reduced energy consumption contributes to a lower carbon footprint and a more sustainable home.

Both houses have been built from SIPS (Structural insulated panels) so were designed and manufactured off-site. The kit of parts arrived on the back of an articulated lorry and were then lifted into place to create a water tight shell within two weeks.

Both houses are highly insulated with triple glazed passivhaus rated internorm windows and doors. MVHR has been adopted to ensure good levels of ventilation with the houses being so air tight.

The client’s brief was to remodel the house at ground and first floor to provide a light filled open plan kitchen, living, dining space that opens out to the large garden. The client wanted to vastly improve the energy efficiency of the property and so we proposed a series of interventions. The existing floors were dug and insulated with new UFH. The existing walls were all insulated and new triple glazed passivhaus rated Internorm windows were fitted. The property is heated by a ground source heat pump that is connected to geothermal piles. Solar panels were installed with a Tesla powerwall to allow for solar self-consumption