Ann Link
Ann Link lives in a 1950s chalet-style semi detached house in Lewes. Her extensive retrofitting has been inspirational to other would-be domestic sustainable developers and she is an active member of Transition Town Lewes.
Ann says: “I wanted to make big reductions in the carbon impact of our house, and couldn’t until we moved to Lewes. I wanted a plainer, more modern house also – the appearance is important. Moving to a smaller 1950s house enabled this. I want to make changes to prepare for peak oil and reduce climate change. I felt I had waited so long, and so wanted to do the maximum we could.”
The work on her house has taken around five years, although Ann has been active in environmental work for four times as long. Her overarching philosophy is to seek a balance between enjoying life and doing what seems logically required.
She says: “I don’t feel at all right if I sense my activity is seen as nagging, or if anyone feels guilty. I think we just have to be examples of getting on and doing things, and say why when asked.”
Energy saving measures in her house includes extensive insulating, glazing and draught proofing as well as a solar hot water and photovoltaic system, and the ultimate aim is to be zero carbon.
The conservatory was made using locally coppiced chestnut, which will regrow quickly and provides a sturdy, beautiful building material. The conservatory – or sun space – also acts as a heat sink, passively warming the rest of the house.
A wood burning stove helps the solar panels heat the water supply, and a rainwater recycling system has been installed to conserve the precious liquid.
Renovations came in at around £100,000, but Ann is very aware this isn’t within reach of many people. The house is an example of what is possible and what could be normal in the future. She says: “Enjoy life now. Have a vision for a good future. Keeping that in mind is better than dreading a bad one.”
She is a great example of what one individual can do to lower her carbon footprint in a practical way. she has allowed others to see what she has done so they might take away ideas to implement in their homes.
Visited this house as part of the Transition Town Energy Fair in 2009 and it shows what you can do to reduce energy use and you carbon foot print even if you have an ordinary home to start with.
For sheer enthusiasm and effort in promoting greener buildings
Because Ann’s house is an example to us all of how achievable it is to live an ecologically sound existence – wherever you are.
Ann link was determined to eco renovate her bungalow to the highest possible standard of sustainability and provide a demonstration for others to follow. Her determination has paid off as she has achieved a 72% reduction in CO2 emissions, become an Old home superhome and has opened her home to the public.
for a 72% CO2 reduction on her home
Ann has been committed to retrofitting her home to be an example of what can be achieved and how we can make our existing housing stock sustainable.
Through improved efficiency and renewable energy technology, Ann has reduced her CO2 emissions by 72% and her efforts demonstrate that even our older homes can be comfortable, beautiful and built for the future
Because Ann is passionate about reducing her carbon foot print and has done it in an exemplary way through her renovation of her beautiful house. She is a shining example to us all.
Ann has a heating and hot water system that is a good example of what can be achieved with a wood burning stove and solar thermal,
and with the level of insulation that Ann has
achieved it show how ecological a home can be
She has insulated her existing house to very high levels using loft, cavity wall,external insulation and some renewable energy to achieve a measured saving in her energy bills of 72% over the last year. This attracted a Superhomes award.
Ann bought her house Sheepfair on the Nevill in Lewes back in 2008. It is now recognised as a super home due to all the measures taken to reduce energy use and cut CO2. Highly insulated, PV panels, solar thermal, wood fuel, rainwater harvesting, sun pipe, natural materials and eco painted ect. This home shows what can be done with an standard 1957 semi to retofit for the future. It is simply a wonderful example of a ECO retro fit and paths the way for others to follow.
This is a very warm and friendly super ecohome and Ann is simply not content to just sit back and enjoy it! Open every year to more and more visitiors she is always keen to explain how it all works, how much you can save yourself and the planet by making some serious and some very basic changes and to suggest solutions to suit your own circumstances.