Get Inspired

If you would like to make energy improvements in your home but are not sure where to start, then SEA can help. The SuperHome network, created by SEA, is made up of older homes across the country which have been updated to improve their energy efficiency. Almost all of these properties are open to the public and you can get great advice and guidance from the homeowners.

Walsall_GorwayRd

Birmingham, Balsall Heath, Tindal Street

House Summary

Owner(s): John Christophers

House Type: 1840's semi detached

Carbon saving: 100%

Measures installed:

  • Triple glazed with low E glass (double argon filled)
  • Internal insulation warmcell 350mm to 500mm (in the existing house)
  • External rendered 280mm Neopor insulation (rear of existing & extension)
  • Front room, first floor, brought ceiling down by 450mm beneath old timbers and filled with warmcell
  • Installed new triple-glazed rooflights
  • Roof insulated to a value of 0.08
  • Extension: 250mm underfloor rock floor insulation
  • Whole house MVHR.  (Hope to use in winter, but turn off in the summer and use natural ventilation.  System is 93% efficient.)
  • No central heating
  • Wood stove with additional coil into 1000 litre thermal store
  • 8.8sq m of evacuated tubes for hot water heating providing 5150 kWh/year
  • 25sqm PV providing 5.04kWp
  • Low energy lights
  • Rainwater harvesting (tank in the basement)
  • Reclaimed materials used (reclaimed wood, reclaimed door handles)
  • Using renewable energy from Green Energy UK
  • "Zero carbon" to Code for Sustainable Homes level 6
  • Winner of the 2010 RIBA Architecture Award

Photos and Flythroughs

Zero Carbon House

Upcoming events

Opening Tues 14th Sept in association with the British Science Festival.  Talk at 10am at the Festival (Aston University) - "Designing and building Birmingham’s zero carbon house".  Following this, coaches leave for the Zero Carbon House from 12:00 (this is not on the Science Festival website).  12:00-15:00 The house will be open for visitors to tour.