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Domestic wind turbine set for Brum eco home
Jun 9 2006
By Sarah Probert
The first domestic wind turbine has been put up in Birmingham on one of the city's first eco-friendly homes.
The turbine has been installed at a Victorian terrace property in Edgbaston by a local housing association.
Environmental campaigner David Bellamy is due to visit the new property today.
Family Housing Association (Birmingham) Ltd said it had introduced a number of innovative features to the property in Summerfield Crescent to demonstrate that social landlords can take the lead in promoting energy efficiency.
Tim Sewell, chief executive at Family Housing, said: "We've considered every angle when building this house.
"Firstly, the property is heated from two sources: solar panels and a high energy boiler. The kitchen is made from recycled material, bathrooms and taps are water efficient and ventilation is non mechanical.
"A home office is provided and there is a shed available in the garden for cycle storage. No tumble dryer is installed as there is an internal and external drying area, and outside, rain water is collected in water butts from the downspout and used for watering the garden.
"Two compost bins made from treated timber and a vegetable patch are also supplied."
A city council spokeswoman said the domestic wind turbine would be the first in the city and the authority had not yet received any other applications.
Mr Sewell said: "We've set out to demonstrate how Housing Associations can make a contribution to reducing the impact of climate change when renovating older properties.
"Once the home has been completed, we'll rent it out and work with the tenants to measure the potential impact on their energy bills".
