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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.

Buy individually or both books together. Delivery is free!


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    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeSep 7th 2013
     
    I've read extensively in an attempt to ensure my future new build is the best in terms of thermal efficiency, low purchased energy input, optimum free entry input and use, ease of construction, value for money etc, but to be quite honest I'm finding it all rather confusing, so was wondering if you could help me out. What would you consider an optimum design for a house and it's heating, hot water systems etc?
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeSep 7th 2013
     
    Are we talking about an infill house on a north facing plot in Manchester for a family of five with both parents working at home or a holiday cottage for a couple with occasional guests in the Pyrenees 3 km up a donkey track?

    Size?
    Location?
    Access considerations?
    Solar access?
    Usage profile?
    Ground conditions?
    DIY or professional build?
    Grid availability (electricity/gas/water)?
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeSep 7th 2013
     
    Size - 270m2. Detached, 4 beds, study, kitchen, utility, plant room, reception rooms etc
    Location - Cumbria (in national park)
    Access - Good road access with own limited width driveway
    Solar - South facing, but just maybe some trees cast a limited shadow on roof
    Usage - Family live and work from home, possible future aging parents living in.
    Ground - limestone with limited soil cover, slope from north to south
    Build option - Mix of contractors and self build
    Grid - Electricity and oil on site. No gas grid in village
  1.  
    Would it be a good start to consider what you'd like space wise, then what your budget will achieve.
    energy/cost effectiveness . simple box shaped , pitch roof , more windows to south facing than north.

    Optimum design for me for an average 3 bed would be box shaped PH standard, PV on roof, perhaps with pitched single storey section to south for more PV space , HW main pressure cylinder, solar thermal +immersion feed by PV with good size garden front and back, side access etc. All pretty dull though from a snazzy design perspective.
    Walls, block with EWI , roof , reclaimed tiles , room in roof trusses/ stair to suit for future expansion if budget didn't currently allow it. Also cellar, 1/2 cellar would be great use of plot space.
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeSep 7th 2013
     
    What use made of the excavated limestone then? http://www.aecb.net/forum/index.php/topic,3901.0.html
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeSep 7th 2013
     
    Tom, yes a semi basement is on the shopping list, possibly ICF based.

    I think m mg main problem is being in information overload and just wanting to identify the latest thinking and the optimum design to achieve a great end product
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