REVOLUTIONARY new environmentally friendly houses were officially unveiled by Drum Housing Association in Whitehill, on Tuesday. 'The Evergreens, in Champneys Close in Whitehill, are three new houses that have been fitted with an innovative roofing system that reduces global warming and lowers energy costs. The roofing system in the trio of three- bedroom house, was designed by Sunergy Ltd. The system harvests renewable energy by absorbing heat from the atmosphere and direct solar radiation. As a result, where it would normally cost in the region of £350 to £400 per year to pay for hot water and heating, it is expected that household bills will be in the region of £100 to £150 per year. Paul Ciniglio, innovations and environmental manager at Drum Housing Association said: "We are very proud to be using Sunergy. It is the first time in the world that it has been used in conjunction with housing. The main reasons are that it has the ability to reduce average household carbon dioxide emissions by up to 75 per cent for the benefit of the planet and it offers affordable warmth. "There will be low running costs to residents because we are using free renewable energy from the sun." Drum Housing Association received a government grant from Clear Skies, which funded 50 per cent of the installation costs. As it is such a new invention, the Sunergy system is slightly more expensive than more conventional house and water heating. Mr Ciniglio explained: "When you consider the life cycle costs as a whole, the increase is marginal. The extra £6,000 you pay for the Sunergy system is almost offset by the savings made against conventional housing. "Components such as tiles, gas main, boilers, radiators and traditional plumbing are no longer required. The more houses built with this technology, the lower the costs will be." Currently, Drum Housing Association is applying for grants to build a further three houses in Whitehill. Mr Ciniglio said: "We would also like to get together with other housing associations so that the prices will come down for residents who will benefit from lower running costs and it would also benefit the environment." "The Evergreens have been built on a former garage site which is owned by the Drum Housing Association. All three can be rented. The families who will be moving in will be provided with under floor central heating and hot water on tap 24 hours a day. Charlene Heaver, 24, from Headley and her family are going to be one of the first to move in. She said: "I've been waiting for three years for a house and I think it's lovely to have something different. It won't cost much to run it. According to the meter, the electricity bill since March is only £11 - and I'm used to paying £10 a week. That's a big saving when you've got two children." The new homes were opened by Matthew Knight of Energy Savings Trust and Paul King of WWF. The three new householders, who will be the first in the world to live with the Sunergy system, were also invited along.
