The home:
Original one roomed stone cottage with a newly built straw bale extension.
Modifications:
The cottage was derelict when bought. A roof was added and a crog-loft above part of the ground floor was made and then insulated, with sheep's wool lined with Poplar timber from a wood approximately 20 miles away.
Off-grid with solar electric 12v. Orginal heating wood stove for cooking and hot water and wood burner. Passive solar porch recently added.
Straw bale extension added to cottage – all built to highest environmental standards (by ourselves-amateur builders). 240v off-grid system energy provided by solar and wind generator, also thermal solar, log/pellet boiler and woodburning cooker. Fsc Smart ply and birch ply used together with douglas fir from approx 5 miles way. Lined with sheep's wool and other environmentally friendly insulators. Lime plaster used inside. Envirornmentally friendly, organic garden
Motivations:
Very aware of the need to create an energy efficient home with the least possible effect on the environment
Approximate costs:
Total costs approx £60,000.
Off grid electric system, solar themal, wood fired boiler etc were the main costs
Approximate energy savings:
As off-grid, our expenses are minimal- wood pellets and servicing of electrical system and boiler.
How has it improved the home?
Warmth and pleasant living conditions. It feels peaceful too
Who did the work?
We did everything other than installing the electrical system and the boiler. They were done by Off Grid Engineering Ltd and DC2 Ltd respectively
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