Barratt - the green house builder
7th June 2006
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Barratt, one of the UK's leading house builders with 15,000 new homes each year, has constructed seven eco-friendly houses in Chorley, Lancashire.
Scientists from the University of Manchester will live in the village the next 18 months, measuring the effectiveness of the latest in sustainable 'green ' energy and micro-generation, which has been fitted to each home.
The idea is that if new homes in the future are fitted with windmills, solar panels and geothermal energy, then this could have a significant effect on CO2 emissions.
But the 'green' technology comes at a price. If Barrett were to pass the full cost of 'going green' onto to its customer, then this would increase the price per house with 10% - or £15,600 for the average property.
Geothermal technology - £7,800
Solar PV panels - £4,800
Wind turbine - £1,500
Rain water harvesting - £2,000
Total - a massive £16,100
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By comparison, Barratt estimate that the annual savings on the utility bill would add up to £271.
Hence, the average home owner would have to stay at least 50+ years to get their money back!
A good Investment?
