More reasons to be cheerful when buying a new home

Wed, Mar 1st 2006, 11:00

Owners of new-build homes can take comfort in the thought that they will be less affected by the threat of massive hikes in energy and utility bills, says UK housebuilder Redrow.

With news that the average annual bill for dual gas and electricity users is set to rocket to around £1,000 per year and water bills are expected to rise by an average of 5.5% this year, those who choose a new home over the second hand sector will enjoy some inherent cost savings.

Simon Bennett, marketing director for Redrow Homes, which builds more than 4,300 homes annually across England, Scotland and Wales, comments: “In a poll of visitors to our website, around 50% said they would choose a new home over a second hand property for its energy efficiency and easy to maintain qualities.

“According to industry experts, the heating and insulation installed in new homes makes them on average four times more energy efficient that older buildings, which means lower running costs and reduced pollution from greenhouse gases; while water efficient fittings in new homes are designed to minimise domestic water consumption.”

From contemporary apartments in city centre locations to elegant town houses and detached family homes, all of Redrow’s properties benefit from the energy and water saving qualities of double glazing, modern standards of insulation and dual flush wcs.

The company is also at the forefront of research to improve things further through ground breaking schemes like Stamford Brook, in Altrincham, Cheshire, a joint venture with the National Trust and Bryant Homes.

The 710 homes at Stamford Brook have been designed to minimise energy use and greenhouse gas emissions through highly insulated buildings and the use of efficient heating and ventilation systems. Savings on utility bills will also result from measures such as limiting overshadowing to maximise solar gain and constructing the dwellings to be airtight.

Low volume flush toilets, aerated taps, and water butts will keep water usage to a minimum and residents are encouraged to segregate their own waste for recycling. Other general environmental standards have been adopted such as the use of sustainable timber and avoiding the use of PVC.

Stamford Brook is participating in a ‘Partners in Innovation’ project for the ODPM (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister). The research project is being led by Leeds Metropolitan University and the findings are being used to inform revisions to future building regulations.

Simon Bennett adds: “The homes at Stamford Brook aren’t just better for the environment, they’re also better for the householder. The properties have been designed to optimise energy systems and water use, which will ultimately result in lower utility bills.”

Stamford Brook, which is being built on land that once formed part of the National Trust’s Dunham Massey estate, features a wide mix of apartments and houses as part of a truly sustainable community. The development will also include the largest river restoration project of its kind in England, plus a new community woodland. Current prices are from £149,950 for a two-bedroom Redrow apartment up to £395,000 for a five-bedroom detached house.

Redrow’s innovative and award winning Debut range of affordable homes for first time buyers is also blazing a trail for energy-efficiency. The first two Debut schemes, at Willans Green in Rugby and Buckshaw Village, near Chorley, have both been awarded the coveted Eco-excellent rating by the British Research Establishment (BRE).

Launched in April 2000 by the centre for Sustainable Construction at BRE, with support from the National House Building Council, EcoHomes is an independent, transparent labelling scheme for housing, which assesses the environmental quality of a development by considering the broad concerns of climate change, use of resources, pollution and impacts on bio-diversity.

Ian Meikle, EcoHomes commercial manager at BRE, comments: “An EcoHomes 'excellent' rating requires an overall score of 70% and only developments demonstrating exemplary environmental performance across the full range of issues will achieve this.”

Energy consumption in Debut properties is minimised via high thermal insulation levels in floors, walls, roofs, windows and doors. This, combined with the high efficiency space and hot water heating, results in minimal carbon emissions, while lighting both inside and outside Debut properties uses low energy fittings so that electrical consumption will be negligible.

Redrow currently has one and two-bedroom Debut properties available at Castle Vale, Birmingham, from just £59,995 when taking advantage of Redrow’s ‘Easi-buy’ scheme, whereby the purchaser defers 10% of the purchase price as in interest-free fixed sum for up to 10 years. Budgeting should be effortless for Debut home owners, as gas, electricity and water bills are combined in one monthly charge, together with external maintenance and even the window cleaning.

New Debut schemes are being planned all over the UK, with high demand already being experienced for proposed developments in Bristol, Stoke-on-Trent, Leyland and North and South Wales.

For further details of Redrow’s extensive property portfolio all over the UK, make one call to 0845 676 0500.