Gaia has designed, supplied and installed state-of-the-art electric underfloor heating in Nottinghamshire’s pioneering eco-housing development, Howgate Close.
The development, one of the underfloor heating specialist’s latest projects, aims to provide local people who have been priced out of homeownership with high-quality rented homes, offering low running costs, low maintenance and access to the open countryside.
Steven Rooney, director at Gaia Underfloor Heating, said: “It’s an honour to have worked on such a progressive development which has sustainability at its heart. As providers of energy-efficient underfloor heating, it was great to be part of a project which aligns with what our product delivers.”
Located to the west of the Nottinghamshire village of Eakring, Howgate Close was conceived by its owner, Dr Chris Parsons, as a rural housing solution that can be replicated to help address the housing shortage.
Dr Chris Parsons said: “Howgate Close offers a new style of communal living. This is a replicable model that can provide both rural housing and wood pastures for every village in the country.”
Granted planning permission by Newark & Sherwood District Council in July 2018, the nine-house settlement addresses some of society’s most pressing issues, such as the rural housing shortage, climate change, soil restoration and biodiversity.
Its residents will also benefit from the energy efficiency of the dwellings, which all feature electric underfloor heating as a backup to the energy generated from 138 roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels.
Steven Rooney added: “With its simple installation, space-saving benefits and energy efficiency, electric underfloor heating was the perfect choice for Howgate Close. Its ability to significantly reduce energy consumption – and lower people’s monthly bills – places underfloor heating at the top for low-carbon heating.”
With exceptional Design SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) Ratings of 131A and 143A, the one- and two-bed dwellings are rated in the top 0.01% of the 14 million registered EPCs in the UK.
Dr Jerry Harrall, technical consultant on the Howgate Close project, said: “Based on the fossil fuel-free operation and renewable energy provisions, Howgate Close has the capabilities to supply another neighbourhood of the same size with the required energy – a truly remarkable renewable energy achievement.”
