Solar Heating - ''Eco homes need not be monstrous carbuncles'', Hampshire woman claims

02/01/2008

The transformation of a property in Winchester into an up-to-the-minute eco-home has disproved the notion that only newer properties can be made environmentally-friendly, it has been claimed.

Elizabeth Thorn designed the house herself so as to incorporate a range of green energy solutions, and then enlisted an architect to bring her plans to fruition.

Among these features are a ground-source heat pump, such as those from Trianco, as well as low-energy appliances including an energy-efficient boiler in the mould of marketing leading models from Vokera.

Best of all, Ms Thorn said is that she was able to incorporate these without undue expense and that the home's transformation was enacted without spoiling the character of the home.

She told the Hampshire Chronicle News: "I'm very keen to show as many people as possible this house to show what can be done without it being of way out modern architecture style, because I don't go for modern architecture.

"This, I think, is a timeless house and anybody that comes after me can put their stamp on it.

She added: "It's to show what can be done at moderate cost to help with our carbon footprints and use of water particularly."