Study unveils homes of the future

In 20 years' time Britons' homes will be more self-sufficient and more easily adaptable as homeowners look to avoid wasting resources, it has been suggested.

Research from Alliance & Leicester in conjunction with the Centre for Future Studies has suggested that by 2027 the average house will recycle and then reuse all of its water, as well as incorporating a number of other environmentally friendly technologies such as solar panels and the use of wind power.

Homes with walls and floors that are able to be added or removed in order to host extra family members will also become more commonplace, the study found.

"Over the next 20 years the impacts of technology and climate change will bring about a renaissance in how we live at home. Our homes will always be our castles - but they will be significantly more energy efficient, cheaper to run, intelligent, adaptable and more environmentally conscious than the houses we live in today," commented Centre of Future Studies director Dr Frank Shaw.

"Government schemes have already been developed to promote sustainable building practice for new homes, which will mean less waste and more recycling, so expect this to be the beginning of a new era for home building," added Alliance & Leicester director of mortgages Stephen Leonard.

Next month's introduction of home information packs and the attendant energy performance certificates is likely to make more households aware of ways in which they can boost their environmental credentials.


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