Renewable Energy - Eco-expert predicts £100 heating bills for eco homes

04/06/2008
Eco-towns which harness the power of solar heating and other renewable energy sources could see residents' energy bills slashed to around £100 per year.

That is the prediction of sustainable building expert Ian Ward, who claimed that - depending on the radiators, boiler and/or underfloor heating devices chosen - dramatic cost reductions are to be anticipated.

Mr Ward, a director of the University of Sheffield and Building Research Establishment's SaBRE initiative, is currently supplying advice to a specialist team working on designs for a proposed eco-town in Long Marston.

"Depending on the materials used and the heating system selected, it is perfectly realistic to dramatically reduce the amount of energy needed to heat homes and offices," he confirmed.

"I would go as far as saying that it will be possible to heat a family home for less than £100 per year, perhaps as low as £50 in the best circumstances," he added.

Energy-saving proposals lined up for the Long Marston development, called Middle Quinton, include the generation of electricity from the town's domestic and industrial waste and sewage, solar water heating, high insulation standards and heat recovery ventilation.