Eco-homes may provide self build tips

Those keen on the self build of an eco home may find some ideas by studying the effects of a group of experimental dwellings being constructed in Norfolk.

A number of modern energy-saving elements have been built into the development of 15 homes at Lingwood, near Great Yarmouth, with one item in each house, the Green Building Press reports.

These include rainwater harvesters, solar water heaters, ground source heat pumps and sun traps, while the homes themselves are made from wood.

How much energy each of the devices saves will be analysed by boffins from the University of East Anglia, with the intention being to reduce electricity bills by up to 50 per cent.

Jane Powell, a lecturer in energy management policy at the university, said: "I am tremendously excited about this project and it will have a huge influence on the construction of future homes."

A number of eco-homes are already being built around the UK.

These include a freshly announced development of nine three-bedroom homes at Desborough in Northamptonshire, which include some of the same power sources being used at Lingwood.


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