Looking for a new home that's environmentally friendly and sustainable? Here are five properties currently for sale across the county that have been cleverly built to help reduce your carbon footprint.
The UK's buildings account for 37pc of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions and as many new homes, office blocks, and other structures continue to be built, this figure is sure to rise, despite the Government aiming to reduce national emissions by at least 80pc by 2050.
For years houses have been built inefficiently, but more recently developers have been working to create homes that break the mold with added features that attempt to tackle the rising concerns over energy consumption.
Paul Legrice, Managing Director at Abel Homes, a company specialising in energy efficient homes in Norfolk, revealed exactly which of these features potential buyers should look out for. He said: 'At Abel Homes we advise those wanting to purchase eco-friendly homes to first look at the building's Energy Performance Certificate to check the rating. The higher the rating, the more efficient the home will be. All of our new homes, for example, have an 'A' rating which means that they are 11pc more efficient that the average new build home.
He added: 'The fabric of a house is crucial; plenty of insulation in the floors, walls and in the loft space as well as triple glazing helps to ensure the thermal efficiency of the home. Solar panels also help a home owner to save money on energy bills and allow them to earn money through the Government's Feed-in tariff scheme, where you can sell extra units of electricity that haven't been used back to your supplier. We're pleased to offer all of these features as standard in our new build homes.'
Many eco-friendly properties are currently available across Norfolk, including a range in Abel Homes' housing developments, Swan's Nest in Swaffham and The Hops in Hingham. Their third development, The Limes, will soon be getting underway in Little Melton.
Many other eco-friendly houses are available across Norfolk, with one standout property being The Meadows in East Carleton, which is currently on the market with Savills.
The six-bedroom property is set in ten acres of gardens and paddocks, and offers stunning views of the local countryside as well as several features ideal for sustainable living, including a biomass heating system and solar panels on the roof.
Located on Intwood Lane, the large eco-friendly home also contains a heated swimming pool, tennis court, bespoke kitchen with electronically operated cupboard doors, a south-facing terrace, pantry, wet room, boot room and a galleried landing.
Sowerbys Property Agents have two properties on the market at present that contain a selection of eco-friendly credentials, the most expensive being a five-bedroom contemporary home in Sheringham.
This detached home, built using sustainable materials, is set over three floors and contains a dual aspect sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, dining room as well as landscaped gardens and terraces.
The company's second property is an award-winning two-bedroom barn conversion on Holt Road in Letheringsett that perfectly combines traditional period features with innovative modern design. The Grade II listed building, located in a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, was restored using an extensive array of natural materials and features an efficient and eco-friendly heating system, as well as double glazed windows and doors.
Moreover, the home contains porcelain and oak flooring with under floor heating, internal oak floors, solid oak staircases, Bosch integrated appliances and luxurious streamline kitchen and bathroom fittings.
Similarly two energy efficient homes are being marketed by William H Brown, 5 Ottaway Close - a town house in New Costessy and a four-bedroom new build at Carrowbreck Meadow on Drayton High Road, Norwich.
On the market for £230,000 the three-bedroom eco-style townhouse is set over three floors and boasts a master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and en-suite, a balcony, open plan lounge/kitchen/dining room, secluded garden, and allocated off-road parking for two vehicles. A communal play area is also located nearby.
Alternatively, Carrowbreck Meadow is the first development from Broadland Growth Limited, a joint venture between NPS Property Consultants Ltd and Broadland District Council and comprises 14 energy efficient homes that have been constructed to Passivhaus standards.
Passivhaus buildings are designed to use very little energy for heating and cooling and is a standard for energy efficiency that is becoming increasingly popular.
This property, as with the 13 others, is heavily insulated to allow for warm winters and cool summers, uses low energy LED lighting, and has an efficient dual zone heating system as well as triple glazed windows and doors. Stylish modern kitchens have been fitted, with hotpoint appliances and the house also contains a paved patio section of garden and off-road parking.
The final property, a newly built efficient home in the sought after location of Lynch Green in Hethersett, is set to be offered by Warners Estate Agents. The four-bedroom property is soon to hit the market and will be available for £475,000. For more information, call 01953 604431.
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