Ten Eco Innovations With the focus on making homes more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable, more companies are turning their attention to researching, producing and distributing ecological innovations for residential property that will transform the way houses are built and maintained. Here are ten of the latest breakthroughs in creating homes that are eco-friendly.
The energy efficiency of any house can be improved by more insulation. Many home improvement suggestions for reducing your heating bill include cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation, but in new builds, why not go a step further?
The C6 Plus Wall and Panel System is a state of the art new product from Howarth Timber Engineering designed to implement the very best in insulation material in structurally independent roof and wall panels that are both internally and externally clad.
This new technology demonstrates just how thermally efficient new building methods and materials can be, whilst still being practical in terms of use and cost.
2. Calsitherm Climate Wall BoardMuch like the C6 wall system, the Calsitherm climate board concentrates on maximising thermal efficiency.
Taking the place of plasterboard, this wall board boasts reduced heat loss of 50% and is only 30mm thick. The Calsitherm Climate Wall Board also demonstrates its versatility as it combines insulating qualities with breathable technology that provides protection against dampness and mould growth, making it the perfect insulation choice for older buildings with minimum disruption in installation.
3. VphaseVphase is a piece of revolutionary new technology that after one simple installation can reduce your energy consumption by 10%, with no change in your energy use habits. Vphase works by reducing the incoming voltage to a house from 240/250V to 220V, this voltage optimisation improves the energy efficiency of your house and as all appliances have to work with a voltage from 207V to 253V according to EU standards, you can still use all the electrical equipment within your house as normal.
4. Triple GlazingAll of us have heard of double glazing, and the more energy-conscious may have even considered installing Low-E glass into their home, but have you considered triple glazing?
Triple glazing significantly reduces the amount of heat lost through a property’s windows: the U-value of a next generation triple glazed window is 0.73W/m2, compared to 1.8W/m2 of a standard window.
Because triple glazed windows still use the standards components of double glazing and come in the same thickness - 70mm, they can be fitted with minimum disruption and very little extra cost.
PVT or photovoltaic Thermal Solar has recently been launched in the UK as a new, more energy efficient method of collecting heat to be used in a property’s hot water system. Like traditional systems, the PVT system uses renewable solar energy to heat water, but unlike PV systems, the new design reduces the amount of useless heat produced and can work effectively in temperatures above 25°C.
A heat pump then concentrates the heat energy produced, resulting in an energy output ten times greater than traditional PV systems. Many new houses for sale in Greece are equipped with modern PV system. The region is situated in climate zone with averaged temperature above 25° and that makes it economically profitable.
6. GlassEco Recycled WorktopsWith people looking more and more to reducing the waste they produce and recycling as much as possible, GlassEco have come up with an innovative and stylish solution to some of the harder materials to recycle.
They have released an attractive range of kitchen countertops made from recycled glass, old TV screens and sea shells, to name a few.
Their range is made from up to 99% recycled material and demonstrates a practical solution for high-embodied energy materials, as well as being eco-friendly and attractive, the GlassEco range is easy to clean, scratch resistant and resistant to high impact, making it a green as well as practical choice.
7. Heating Distribution in HomesAs government grants and new innovations encourage the use of alternative heating systems such as ground source, air source and solar powered heat pumps, homes should also consider switching their heating distribution from traditional radiators to a more evenly spread, lower temperature heating system.
Underfloor heating is one solution, but Jaga Radiators have formed another with their new DBE range. The DBE radiator range is specifically designed to work at lower temperatures, using one tenth of the water used in conventional wall radiators, which can produce a yearly saving of 15% in annual heating bills and making them perfect for use with a heat pump.
8. Rainwater Management from Capatex LtdWe all know what happens, one hot week and the UK is afflicted with hose-pipe bans, the truth is catching and using your own rainwater for your home water use can save you money and help make your property more eco-friendly and sustainable.
Capatex Ltd have produced a new, efficient system of rainwater management called Sysdrain that combines the collection of roof water as well as ground drainage to maximise the water collected through lightweight, easy to install plastic trays and gravel systems that maintains its permeability longer than conventional water collection systems and uses less gravel.
9. 3iE Smart MeterThe 3iE Smart meter is a brand new way of monitoring and adjusting your heating system. Unlike a traditional thermostat, the 3iE measures the temperature of a room more accurately, reacting to change in temperature quickly in each room even with under-floor heating and resulting in a potential 10% saving on your annual heating bills.
Modern, sleek and touch-screen this system is easy to use, facilitating complete control of your home heating system and allowing you to see clearly your energy use and advising you of the most energy efficient temperature to choose.
10. Energie Thermodynamic Solar SystemThe Energie Thermodynamic Solar System represents the new generation of solar heating system, using refrigerant gas rather than water, this system obtains heat from the ambient temperature, rather than just sunlight, this allows it to capture thermal energy from the rain as much as the sun.
Mounted on the roof or wall like a traditional solar panel, energy collected is then concentrated in a heat pump making this alternative method of heating extremely efficient even on cold or cloudy days.
