It surprises many people to know that nearly half of the energy, that we consume today, is being used in buildings.  WeberHaus, the German manufacturer of off-site system built manufactured homes has launched an eco home that actually generates more energy than it consumes. It does this by a combination of state-of-the art insulation, photovoltaic cells and ground source energy.

The company believes that the ‘PlusEnergie’ is the first ecohome of its kind in the UK. Not only will the home appeal to the environmentally aware, it will also be a boon for the financially astute as surplus electricity can potentially be sold back to the National Grid.

The walls have a thickness of 30 centimetres and have a heat passage coefficient (U-Value) of 0.159 W/m2K, way below current building regulation requirements. This keeps the heat in the house during the winter, and keeps it cool during the summer.

The house gains its heat energy from geothermic sources.  It transfers natural energy from the ground to heat to the home and its water supply.  This is captured from over 30 metres below the house, and transported using a probe sunk into the ground, containing a cooling agent.  This cooling agent is heated by geothermic energy which is then transferred to the heating system via an exchanger.  This method is able to produce a constant heat source throughout the year.

Photovoltaic panels on the roof generate electricity by converting light into electrical energy by solar cells made of silicon. A current inverter converts direct current into alternating current to power appliances within the home. In winter and days without much light, electricity may be required from the National Grid, but because, on bright summer days, surplus electricity cannot be stored in the home, there is the possibility to sell the electricity back to the electricity provider.

Weberhaus homes use innovative construction techniques, which ensure accuracy, less wastage and energy efficiency.  All Weberhaus homes are built ‘off site’ and constructed on site in three days.  Unlike traditional ‘brick and block’ houses, they are produced predominantly of wood, which is versatile, durable and renewable.  The walls are constructed from plasterboard, chipboard, timber and render.  The unique method of manufacture ensures millimetre precision and no energy is lost through poor insulation or construction faults.