Building Your Own Home
March 01 2007
First of all the finance
I have found a fabulous buil
ding society called the Ecology Building Society. As you may imagine, they play using slightly different rules to conventional building societies, promoting the concept of sustainability through mortgage lending and offering a range of ethical savings accounts.
Before they will lend you any money, they assess the environmental impact of the project in terms of energy use, pollution and saving resources. This includes looking at properties where new and less conventional ideas are incorporated such as earth sheltering and breathing walls. Some of the features they encourage include:
- Easily recyclable materials
- Use of reclaimed stone, brick, slate or timber
- Locally sourced materials
- High levels of insulation
- Efficient condensing boilers
- Double or triple glazing
- Natural paints
- Water recycling
- Renewable energy systems - solar panels, photovoltaics, wind turbines
They often we lend on properties turned down by other lenders, and will lend funds "up front" on the unimproved value of a derelict building, releasing further funds as the building work goes along and the value increases. This is invaluable for most of us.
Typical mortgage projects include:
- Building a home with a low impact on the environment
- Timber property
- Community based small businesses with an ecological bias
- Organic smallholdings and farms
- Buy to let properties
- Loans for small woodlands
- Co-housing and co-operatives
One example funded by an Ecology mortgage is Cumbria's first earth sheltered dwelling built in a disused quarry site. Only the glass frontage and some tiles can be seen. Using the shelter of the earth means that the house can do without any form of heating systems
Natural Insulation and mortars
Braith Heritage Supplies have lime putty mortars, an environmentally friendly conservation filler, and Isonat Hemp insulation for your roof insulation. It is made from British hemp and is both fire-safe and environmentally friendly. Well done Heritage-Supplies!!!
You can also buy Lime putty from Chalk Hill Lime Products near York.
Natural insulation, made from renewable plant or animal sources biodegrade safely at the end of a buildings life, and also their manufacture often uses very little energy. Wool is being used in certain regions, but there is cause for concern regarding chemicals from sheep dips. Wool from organic farms would be an alternative. It can absorb moisture and is an excellent insulator.
The Unico system is air conditioning, central heating and ventilation all in one, and has been featured in self build homes and on Grand Designs. I was delighted to meet Roger Garratt who explained the whole thing to me. Apparently there are no radiators, no cold spots, potential for large savings on running costs and the system is both economically and environmentally sound. The company is based in Wales.
Need Inspiration?
The Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales (CAT) is an inspiring place to visit. They offer information on many issues including sustainability and green issues for builders, with practical hints. www.cat.org.uk Courses on all aspects of environmental issues are held throughout the year, ranging from 175 (unwaged) to 320 (high waged) for four days, plus accommodation.
