The ambitious goal for the new self-build development at Hunnyhill in Brighstone was to create six individual homes that would generate zero energy bills for a decade. To achieve this, the project needed to meet the incredibly strict criteria of Octopus Energy’s Zero Bills™ scheme. The challenge was to design and construct homes using low embodied carbon materials while ensuring the structural building fabric was highly thermally efficient and capable of seamlessly integrating advanced renewable technologies.
Private Self-Builders
Self-Build Residential
Isle of Wight
Timber Frame Design, Manufacture, On-Site Assembly, Energy Assessing Services
Sydenhams Timber Engineering provided a comprehensive end-to-end service for the development. We handled the timber frame design, precision manufacture and on-site assembly for all six plots. Crucially, our in-house energy assessors worked closely with the clients to optimise the performance of each home to meet the rigorous Octopus Energy standards.
We engineered a highly thermally efficient building fabric and incorporated high-performance triple glazing into the design. To guarantee compliance with the zero bills scheme, our energy assessors introduced photovoltaic (PV) systems well above standard building regulation requirements, battery storage and air source heat pumps combined with underfloor heating. We also ensured the use of low embodied carbon materials wherever possible throughout the construction process.
The Hunnyhill development is a remarkable success story for sustainable self-build construction. By combining our precision-engineered timber frames with our expert energy assessing services, the completed properties are warm, comfortable and entirely future-proof against rising energy costs.
Homeowners will enjoy the incredible reality of zero energy bills until at least 2035 (subject to a fair usage policy and separate EV charging). The project stands as a prime example of how intelligent timber frame design and low-carbon construction can deliver exceptional financial and environmental benefits.
