Colchester Green Homes

3 - 26 May 2014

East Bergholt, Old Hall Community

Energy-saving improvements

  • Low-cost improvements
    Low-cost improvements
  • 'Big' insulation works
    'Big' insulation works
  • Lighting systems and electrical appliances
    Lighting systems and electrical appliances
  • High spec heating
    High spec heating
  • Renewables: heat
    Renewables: heat
  • Renewables: electricity
    Renewables: electricity
  • Water management
    Water management
  • Sustainable building materials
    Sustainable building materials
  • Lifestyle change
    Lifestyle change
  • Recommended
    Recommended

Location

Old Hall, Rectory Hill
East Bergholt
Colchester
Suffolk
CO7 6TG

View on map

Opening times

The tour at starts at 10:00 on Sunday 6th September.
You can just turn up but we prefer you to book so that we know to expect you

To book just click on this link

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/old-hall-essex-green-open-days-tickets-18069133264

Meet at the six bar gate, opposite the church, next to the stall selling organic veg.

This event has now finished.

Just turn up Please park on the road near the church and meet inside our six bar gate (next to Organic veg stall)

An interesting Opportunity to see the Old Hall Community. Tours will be available at 10am, Sunday 06 September 2015.

The tours will take place outside, primarily of the ground source heat pump; photovoltaic panels; biomass burner and borehole and vegetable growing areas

The oldest part of the house dates from 1713, most of the later extensions were added in the last 100 years.

Our sustainable energy equipment is largely placed in our grounds.

The house has been owned by its residents ‘Unit One Suffolk Housing Association’ since 1974 (more familiarly known as ‘Old Hall Community).
John Winnhom (who will be leading the tours has been a member since 1974). The property is a Residential ‘Intentional Community’, basically a big shared house (50 residents of all ages).

The property has the following environmental improvements:

Insulation: The building does not have cavity walls but some walls have been insulated using Sempatamp internal wall insulation. Loft and the plural hot water tanks are insulated (it needs to be as the community uses 3000 litres of hot water daily) as are the water pipes and some of the chimney's.

Glazing: Windows are draft proofed.

Heating: A condensing boiler, together with Water Softening to reduce limescale build up and Chemical inhibitors to help maintain central heating system efficiency

Renewables: A Ground source heat pump and Wood-fuelled heating, Biomas boiler for hot water and radiators. Wood stoves in private areas. Photovoltaic panels, a 30 k u array sited at ground level was installed in March 2014.

Lighting: Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s) will be introduced gradually and Low Energy Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL’s) are being used now.

Electrical appliances: Residents use a range of no, low and energy efficient appliances.

Water Management: Most toilets are low flush and water efficient
washing machines are used. Water butts are used near the vegetable plots.

Sustainable building materials: Wattle & daub tool shed with camera obscurer incorporated.

The property has a wildlife friendly garden, where they grow food using home made compost.

Miriam says 'We are a community of about 50 residents of all ages living as one household, aiming to live as sustainably as we can, growing our own food together, while also having jobs outside. Most of us eat together and benefit from many economies of scale and sharing skills. We are always open to people joining our application process, particularly young people.

Please see our website www.oldhall.org.uk for further information.

Old hall is recommended to see examples of sustainable practices together with an alternative style of living.

Location

Old Hall, Rectory Hill
East Bergholt
Colchester
Suffolk
CO7 6TG

View on map

Opening times

The tour at starts at 10:00 on Sunday 6th September.
You can just turn up but we prefer you to book so that we know to expect you

To book just click on this link

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/old-hall-essex-green-open-days-tickets-18069133264

Meet at the six bar gate, opposite the church, next to the stall selling organic veg.

This event has now finished.

Just turn up Please park on the road near the church and meet inside our six bar gate (next to Organic veg stall)

Other homes nearby

Part of the Green Open Homes network