Case Study

Scroll over the image to reveal the house’s enviromental features.

Triple and Double Glazing

Installed throughout the house. Both insulate the home in extremes of cold and reduce solar gain in the summer. The triple glazing significantly reduces any noise.

Insulation

Above current standard and has been used in every part of the building including foundations, walls and roof. significantly lowers heating and cooling costs. In addition to reducing energy costs also helps conserve non-renewable fuel supplies reducing air pollution.

Solar Water Heating

The system works along side the conventional water heating system. Solar panels have been fitted in the roof which have been designed to heat all the water during summer months and for some of the winter months too.

Rain Water Harvesting System

Collects and stores rain from roofs or from a surface catchment for future use. Due to the location of the build it was felt that harvesting rainwater in order to be used to flush toilets and run washing machines was not necessary nor economically viable. However a basic system has been installed for general cleaning and garden irrigation.

Underfloor Heating/Cooling

Requires significantly less energy to heat a space than traditional radiator systems. Unlike radiators, the underfloor heating system can run at much lower temperatures as the system is spread out over a greater area . With under floor heating systems there is no noise and saves wall space. Installed throughout the whole of the downstairs living areas and in the bathrooms upstairs.

Biomass Heating

Good for both the environment and local economy and reduces the wastage of products that might otherwise be used to fill up landfill sites. A stand alone wood burning stove has been installed in order to heat the living room and kitchen and dining area and can be fuelled by logs or pellets.

Passive Solar Design

A technique that considers the sun’s location and works with the sun to meet your buildings needs. To be most effective considerable consideration is required from the early stages of design. Benefits include economic efficiency, through reducing utility bills and providing more durable and comfortable living conditions than a traditional house.

Site Waste Management

Waste materials such as hardcore, concrete, bricks, stone, pavers etc can be crushed and turned into a reusable products, which helps to reduce the amount materials disposed of in landfill sites. Recyclable materials were used through out the build were possible,including the masonry stone which was bought locally and came from a recently demolished mill.

“I think it’s important to fully understand this whole ‘Green’ concept. Its not simplyabout sticking a wind turbine on your roof. All aspects have to be considered. The materials and design, location, orientation of the build, the skills and the workforce too. Otherwise you are simply bolting on expensive measures, which have yet to be shown to be cost effective.

The building budget was always going to be a concern, but then you have to look at the bigger picture and also consider cost over the lifetime of the property. Running costs should show major savings on in the future.

Murray & Burrell have been great to work with. By professionally managing every aspect– from providing the site, taking care of all the planning and building control issues and by using their own highly skilled tradesmen, they have taken the stress out of the whole self build process. We have felt completely confident in their expertise and workmanship,the quality of which really is second to none .Through out the build we were kept regularly informed of costs, which has been great. It meant that we were able to build our dream home within our budget, give or take one or two little extras!

We had looked at all sort of companies both here and abroad. Initially we were attracted to a few of the European companies that offer a very modern glass and steel framed house that can be bolted together in a matter of days. However, the end product did not feel particularly solid - more like living in a green house than an actual home. Something we felt we would tire of quite quickly. We wanted something more solid, bespoke and which reflected our individual needs and our style of living, but which would not cost the earth! By keeping it local we felt that we were able to put something back into the community whilst reducing our carbon footprint.

There is not a single element of the house that we wished we had done differently. We can not thank Murray & Burrell Ltd enough. The weather has been appalling and yet the men have worked steadily on in order to avoid delays, something we are very grateful for. The end result is really quite spectacular and beautiful and we are only too delighted to recommend Murray & Burrell to anyone.”

Mr & Mrs Kemp