| With global warming's causes and consequences a | | | | showers and can be reused to water the garden. |
| daily topic in the media, it seems that everyone is | | | | Additional energy savings are gained by higher |
| jumping aboard the green train to 'do their bit' for | | | | than normal levels of insulation, large amounts of |
| the environment these days - and rightly so. One | | | | glazing to invite natural light and a passive solar |
| of the many initiatives of this overall green | | | | orientation, where a house benefits from a |
| movement is the concept of eco property. | | | | southerly orientation gaining free light and heat. |
| For a home to be classified as an eco, or | | | | Britain's housing stock is fairly ineffective in terms |
| environmentally friendly property, it must have a | | | | of its energy rating. On a scale of 1 to 120, the |
| number of features that reduce the tenants' | | | | average house in the UK rates at just 45. All |
| overall environmental impact. Homes are assessed | | | | houses built after 1995 were built to new |
| using six criteria: energy efficiency, water | | | | standards of 80 and in 2002 the minimum energy |
| efficiency, surface water management, site | | | | rating was raised further to 100. |
| waste management, household waste | | | | In light of increasing environmental awareness, |
| management and use of materials. | | | | interest in green property has grown and there |
| In older properties, where major structural | | | | are now a number of estate agents dealing solely |
| changes are unfeasible, other criteria can be used | | | | in green property. As might be expected due to |
| to make a property more environmental friendly | | | | the relatively new concept of eco homes, the |
| and allow it eco status. Buildings that are | | | | current choice is limited, yet you can find green |
| constructed from natural materials, such as | | | | property in Kent, Herefordshire, Hampshire, |
| timber, use wool insulation and organic paints may | | | | Norfolk and even on the Isle of Skye. |
| will help it to qualify as green property. In addition, | | | | It is expected that new government legislation |
| reliance on National Grid energy can be | | | | that encourages the building of eco homes by |
| supplemented or replaced altogether by using | | | | granting tax breaks and VAT reduciton on energy |
| solar thermal hot water heating systems on the | | | | efficient goods - such as low energy light bulbs |
| roof, photovoltaic panels, a wind turbine or wood | | | | and double glazing - will also lead to people |
| fired central heating. | | | | converting their homes into more environmentally |
| Savings on water can be made by using | | | | friendly zones. This will help to tackle rising energy |
| rainwater for flushing the toilets, or a grey water | | | | demands, reducing CO2 emissions and ultimately |
| system that collects waste water from sinks and | | | | global warming. |