East Bergholt, Old Hall Community

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.