testimonials

THE ECO HOUSE AT MILNATHORT

Last November we moved into our eco house at Milnathort, newly completed by the Good House Company. Apart from the high quality finishes and first rate build quality, what impressed us most were the unexpected bonuses of eco house living.

We were delighted by the absence of noise from outside; an outcome, we learned, of the sound deadening effect of the thickly insulated walls and the triple glazing. Also, as the heating is under floor, there are none of the noises associated with a central heating system. Although this house is mechanically ventilated, the sound from the fans is inaudible when on their lowest setting. It can be heard on higher settings, but is never obtrusive.

Mechanical ventilation, a concept relatively new to the U.K., ensures the delivery of filtered fresh air to the house. It removes cooking smells rapidly. Also, when showering, the bathroom mirrors and windows do not steam up as damp air is quickly expelled. The bathrooms never have a damp smell and towels dry rapidly. One is aware of a degree of freshness in any room as all the air is automatically replaced every couple of hours.

Under floor heating brought immediate, unexpected benefits. Unlike radiator based systems which require water temperatures of around 70 degrees, under floor systems need only 30 degrees or less; yet the ambient temperature of the principal rooms in our house remained at a constant 21 degrees all through the winter.

The upstairs rooms, despite having no central heating of any kind, also remained at a comfortable temperature.

Thanks to the accuracy with which the windows are fitted, the house is entirely free of draughts, so adding to the level of comfort.

The house is fitted with a state of the art air source heat pump which takes low grade heat from the outside air and turns it into usable heat for the house. While the system uses electricity, it does so in an efficient way; indeed for every unit of electricity the heat pump uses, it produces on average about two and a half times as much heat.

The house benefits from an installation of Photovoltaic Panels by Solar Energy Scotland Ltd, a local company; although it is early days, the indications are that the system should provide about 5,000 kilowatt hours of electricity in a full year. This would mean a return of over £2,000, enough to pay all the energy costs of running the house, a considerable bonus in view of the likely increase in energy prices.

JG - Milnathort