Page 18 - March 2024

IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

“Properties like this are a rare find, however in the
Green living Smith’s Sarah Millar-Urey.
Borders we’ve seen an increase in the marketing
of retrofitted homes,” explains Blackwood &

Retrofitted homes differ wildly in terms of
design and specifications, but Wester Happrew
Steading is a remarkable example. In 2018, the
owners came across a collection of derelict
steadings and were so inspired by the setting
that they purchased the site just weeks later.
We look at the rising popularity of energy efficient homes,
and how you can make your home more sustainable.

We recommend making changes to your home’s fabric before
adding renewable technologies, as it helps to prevent potential
ith impending changes to the ways By 2033, all homes in Scotland will need to
that we heat our homes (as covered achieve an EPC energy efficiency rating of C or issues developing and gets the most out of your retrofit.
Win our February 2024 issue) in the above, although this date is subject to change,
face of climate change, there’s been a marked depending on Scottish Government targets. Marc Brammer, Senior Retrofit Coordinator, EcoCosi
rise in the popularity of thermally efficient and But with many properties falling below this
retrofitted properties. rating, there’s much to be done to ensure that
the homes of the future are as energy efficient
as possible.
They undertook a careful renovation to bring incredibly different from Wester Happrew, but
In the last five years on espc.com, we’ve seen a the property as close to carbon zero as possible, its owner had a similar dedication to creating an
240% rise in the number of A-rated properties, which involved preserving much of the existing environmentally friendly home.
and a 50% rise in B-rated properties coming building while installing everything required
onto the market, which is a sure sign of a step for maximum electricity generation and heat Over the last 19 years, the property has gradually
change. Many of these properties are new- retention, such as high-quality insulation, triple undergone a series of improvements, including
build homes, which are designed to maximise glazing, solar panels with batteries, and a ground a solar thermal system, which provides almost
energy efficiency, but more interestingly, we’ve source heat pump. 70% of the property’s hot water, solar panels
also seen a marked rise in properties coming and battery storage, an electric vehicle charging
to market which have undergone substantial The renovation took just over a year and the point and an air source heat pump, with an
renovations to become thermally efficient. owners enjoyed the process so much that they upgraded central heating system and radiators
will be doing it all over again, as they plan to to match. Following the sale, the owner of this
One of these properties is Wester Happrew move into the adjoining steading and restore it property will also be moving to another home
Steading, a stunning granary conversion in to an equal standard. that requires a full retrofit.
the Scottish Borders, being sold by ESPC
solicitor estate agency Blackwood & Smith LLP. Also currently on the market is 1 West Braes, The owner explains: “I started making
Following a complete overhaul, this property in the sought-after Fife coastal village of improvements in 2005 when I moved in, starting
now boasts stunning eco credentials, including Pittenweem, which is being sold by ESPC with basic improvements to insulation. Some
an outstanding Grade A energy performance solicitor estate agency Thorntons. This three- were very disruptive, but no worse than installing
Wester Happrew Steading
rating with an extremely rare 101% score. bedroom detached house is, at first glance, a new kitchen, and afterwards I could enjoy a

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