oxford conversion

	images courtesy Prof. Sue Roaf

Sue Roaf's house in Oxford was one of the first solar photovoltaic houses in the UK. It's a six bedroom family suburban house with CO2 emissions approximately 95% lower than similar houses built to normal standards.

Built in 1995 using low energy construction techniques, the roof consists of 4kWp of solar PV panels generating electricity and 5 sqm of solar water heating collectors.

The design maximises natural heating from sunlight passing directly into the living space, and the house is effectively insulated with 250mm of roof insulation, triple glazing and 150mm floor insulation.

The house also has a wood-burning stove, with careful and stylish detailing that directs warm air flows around the house to maximum effect.

Fuel bills are less than £150 a year, and the construction costs were the same as those of a similar architect-designed detached house built using normal methods, but with a less fancy kitchen.

Further information about this house and many others is available in a book by Sue Roaf and others: Ecohouse 2: A design guide, published in 2003 by Architectural Press.