New homes can reduce your energy bills

With the temperature dropping again this winter, the nation is busy adjusting thermostats and fuelling fires in a bid to keep warm. However, many of us are just pumping our homes full of warmth only for it to escape straight away.

Older homes are notorious for being draughty and even some newly built homes perform poorly when it comes to retaining heat however, there’s a collection of new homes in Kent that use less energy to stay warm and produce savings on fuel bills year after year.

Berkeley Homes (Kent) Ltd is the largest builder of timber frame Super E homes in the world, with its Holborough development in Snodland leading the way in the energy saving stakes. The Super E technology being used at Holborough is creating a ‘sealed’ environment in homes. This means warm air inside can’t escape through holes in windows and doors, or through the roof.

The ‘sealed’ environment is achieved by using panels that are constructed under strict factory conditions for better quality control. Once in place, the panels provide an airtight setting and superb insulation.

The Super E system also helps to regulate three other areas where heat is lost in the home, including the stack effect (when heat rises and cold air is sucked in), the flue effect (when warm air escapes up the chimney) and the wind effect (when a home is subjected to strong, cold winds).

In addition, Super E technology employs a heat recovery ventilator that brings fresh air into the house and controls humidity. The old air leaving the building warms the incoming air, although it is never mixed. Therefore, the need for central heating is vastly reduced. This energy saving will no doubt be welcome news to Holborough residents, with gas bills having risen by an average of 63% since 2003 and predicted to rise by a further 15% in 2008*.

The first price rise of 2008 was announced by npower on 3rd January, with other fuel providers expected to follow suit. Since Super E technology is a permanent feature of the homes at Holborough, savings on energy bills will continue to be felt year after year.

Berkeley Homes (Kent) Ltd is inviting prospective purchasers to Holborough to find out for themselves just how warm the homes are. There are a number of show units to view, including a new four-bedroom Claremont house, a five-bedroom Harvard property, a three-bedroom Madison townhouse and a two-bedroom apartment – all with Super E technology.

Existing Holborough residents are already feeling the financial benefits of Super E technology. Louise Randall and Robert Samuels are happy to be experiencing lower energy bills already. Robert comments: “We were surprised to discover that the bills in our new three-bedroom house at Holborough are the same as they were at our old one-bedroom house.”

Super E technology also brings with it health benefits, due to the air filtration process. Pollen, dust and other polluting particles are trapped before they make it in to the property, which is an advantage for allergy and asthma sufferers. Holborough residents have already noticed improvements in hayfever and skin allergies, as well as another beneficial side effect – less dusting!

* Figures from Energywatch

For more information, visit Holborough.co.uk or Berkeleyhomes.co.uk.