40 Varndean Gardens
Brighton BN1 6WL

This whole house retrofit was created from a home built in the 1950s. It was looking a little tired so Nigel and Sally decided to use BBM Architects and Nigel’s expertise as a surveyor to transform the house to be as energy-efficient and ecological as possible.

The house has been wrapped in a high level of insulation, the cavity walls insulated, and high performance windows and bi-fold doors installed to reduce heat losses. Solar thermal panels, a condensing boiler and wood burner provide heat and hot water. A photovoltaic array and low energy appliances result in low electricity bills, with the panels generating revenue from the electricity produced.

Although the house has been extended by 25%, a reduction of 75% in energy bills is predicted.

Kitchen worktops and bathroom tiles use recycled glass. Floors are French oak (rather than from China) with ecological Marmoleum in the bathrooms. Rainwater is harvested for garden use.

 

BUSES 5, 5a, 17, 33, 40, 273 (London Road); 5b, (Surrenden Road)

TRAIN Preston Park

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