Sustainable Sussex Home

Set within the scenic landscape of the South Downs National Park, our team designed a spacious family home designed with sustainability at its core. This project involved the deep renovation of the existing property (which had an ‘F’ EPC rating), the demolition of some later additions, making way for a carefully designed extension that added an additional bedroom and dining room, and introduced a new plant room, garage and potting shed. Energy losses are minimised by substantial mineral insulation of walls and roof, and replacement triple glazed windows. The client’s vision was to create a home that balanced modern comfort with low-to-zero carbon aspirations, integrating sustainable technologies throughout.

MEP Services Overview

To support the home’s sustainability goals, we integrated an air source heat pump system, providing efficient space heating via underfloor heating, as well as domestic hot water. The existing gas supply was removed. A large solar PV array covers the south and east facing parts of the extension and garage roofs, helping to reduce reliance on grid electricity and furthering the home’s low-carbon ambitions. To maximise on-site energy use, the system was designed with battery storage and a charge management system.

Rather than exporting excess solar generation straight to the grid, the system prioritises using as much energy on-site as possible. First, power is directed to meet general household demand, including the ASHP, lighting, and appliances. If there is more solar energy available than the house requires at any given time, the surplus is used to heat the hot water cylinder. Any remaining excess is then stored in the battery system, which can later be discharged to supplement the home’s energy needs when solar generation is low. This setup ensures that renewable energy is utilised efficiently, reducing reliance on grid electricity and optimising self-sufficiency. This project showcases how sustainable technologies and thoughtful design can be seamlessly integrated into a comfortable modern home. Through the careful application of renewable energy solutions, upgraded infrastructure, and a sensitive approach to environmental constraints, we helped deliver a residence that is efficient, comfortable, and perfectly suited to its surroundings. The effectiveness of these strategies is reflected in the property’s as-built Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A109. This is a particularly high score, demonstrating that the home significantly exceeds standard energy efficiency requirements. Achieving an A rating not only means lower energy consumption and reduced running costs but also highlights the success of a design approach that prioritises sustainability without compromising comfort and ease of use.