Luxury home built to cheap energy specifications - 07/09/2009
Wealthy homeowners could be inspired to switch energy sources as a luxury home in Barnsley has become almost carbon-neutral through substantial investment.
Barnsley Hill Farm was originally built in the 17th century, but has become an energy-efficient eco-home following a £2 million investment from homeowners Paul Lavelle and Sara Anton, reports the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard.
As a result of facilities including underground heat storage, rainwater harvesting, an indoor solar park and its own sewage plant, the six-bedroom luxurious home has the carbon footprint of a two-bedroom flat and has reduced its energy consumption by 90 per cent.
Mr Lavelle told the paper: "It does not take longer or cost more to build like this. If we dropped all the mad building practices we could all live in low-energy homes for less money and in less time."
He added that he had planned to show wealthy homeowners that energy-efficiency and luxury living can be successfully combined.
Vulnerable homeowners could find they are eligible for government funding to help them install measures such as cavity wall and loft insulation.
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