York Open Eco Homes: new community-build homes (Lowfield Green, Acomb)

Please see this page for the list of all homes participating in this annual event - you're welcome to visit more than one! Here you have a chance to visit two homes in a housing co-operative that have been designed to be better for people and the planet. 

Lowfield Green Housing Co-operative, working with YorSpace (York’s community land trust) has built a community of fourteen sustainable and affordable homes, and are about to build six more. The electricity-only development has two types of eco homes:   

• House type 1 (pictured right) - tours at 10am and 1pm: Passivhaus standard build with triple glazing, mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery MVHR (also providing heating and hot water), wood fibre insulation
• House type 2 (pictured left) - tours at 11:30am and 2:30pm: highly-insulated modular homes, with heat pumps, water saving features

The community has a shared car park with electric charging points and built-in ducting for solar PV panels. With a single shared electricity supply, when the panels are installed over the next year, the community will benefit from collective-generated renewable energy. As well as the eco features of the individual homes, the co-operative encourages residents to share resources and reduce collective carbon footprint through car sharing, secure bike storage, growing food onsite and encouraging wildlife to thrive in the outside spaces.

Booking is essential - you will be asked to choose a tour slot and receive the full home address later. Each tour will last between 30-60 minutes. If you're planning to visit other homes on the same day, please consider how you will travel between them before booking. For more info please contact Ivana via ivana@yorkcommunityenergy.org.uk.

Free entry, booking is required via this page or by leaving a message on 01904 922781. 

Accessibility: Visitors are welcome to make use of the toilet if needed. Most of the homes are wheelchair accessible - please ask for more details.

This year's event is part of the Home Upgrade Champions partnership project and York Environment Festival - check out the programme for 100+ free events between 3rd October - 1st November.

The Home Upgrade Champions project is a partnership between York Community Energy, University of York, Stockholm Environment Institute and Abundance Investment; supported by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire and part-funded by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.