A lot is made of the higher building standards required for new-build and this will certainly help us as a country reduce the amount of energy we use to keep ourselves snug at home.
However, as a nation, we also have millions of older properties in the UK that are simply not energy efficient enough to meet modern standards and are therefore wasting energy for the owner – and adding to the nation’s overall emissions.
At Refurb Projects, we try to highlight innovative projects and technologies to celebrate the success that can be achieved – regardless of the building’s size, shape, age or history
Renovating a historic windmill and turning it into a luxurious, modern home is a dream many of us aspire to but seeing someone achieve their dream – and do so in a sympathetic yet energy efficient manner is surely something to showcase.
This grade II listed 19th-century windmill in Cambridgeshire had fallen into disrepair but has now been sympathetically developed into a stylish and modern eco-friendly home whilst retaining the beauty of its wind-powered past.
This project really shows that investment in various renewable technologies can produce a property with the lowest possible carbon running and maintenance costs that is also environmentally friendly.
Tony Prior Editor of Refurb Projects
As well as its architecturally stunning exterior, it has been designed with energy efficiency at its core with (in this case) a biomass boiler, rainwater harvesting system and a mechanical ventilation system which keeps the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer and re-uses up to 95% of the heat that otherwise would have been lost.
This project is a prime example of how technology is helping to drive sustainable solutions and helping to address both environmental and economic concerns.
A stunning example of an eco refurbishment
There are millions of older properties in the UK that need to be upgraded to meet modern standards of energy efficiency
The photovoltaic roof panels, triple glazed windows and heavily insulated walls, all increase the mill's energy efficiency.
This project really shows that investment in various renewable technologies can produce a property with the lowest possible carbon running and maintenance costs that is also environmentally friendly.
Next month, I’ll take a look how heat pumps have been added to oil heating in a 13-bedroomed historic country mansion.
Tony Prior is the editor of Refurb Projects
If you have any questions about this article or want to know more, please email us. We will contact the author and will get back to you as soon as we can.
