Conservatory

The conservatory is designed to use solar energy to heat the house. It also acts to reduce heat loss. During the summer it can provide cooling though natural ventilation.

Green Oak Construction
The frame of the conservatory was made by Carpenter Oak Ltd. The oak is from sustainably managed English woodland. Approximately 10 oak seedlings were planted for each tree used in construction. The wood is unseasoned which avoids the energy use involved in kiln drying and allows work to be done with traditional tools.

High performance double glazing
High specification glazing with low emissivity coating retains as much heat as possible. See Insulation and Glazing.

Thermal Heat Store
The conservatory floor has dark coloured tiles to absorb sunlight. Underneath is a 600mm concrete slab to store heat, which is insulated from the ground by 100mm of Dow Floormate.
The floor keeps the conservatory frost free throughout the winter with no extra heating allowing us to grow tender plants.

Natural Ventillation
The conservatory has openable windows at the top. During the summer when the house needs cooling, hot air in the conservatory rises out through these windows drawing cool air from the north side through the house.

What you can do

It's worth considering a conservatory on the south side of any existing building.
Thermal storage floors are definitely worthwhile - or alternatively, any large containers of water can act as a heat store as water has a high heat capacity.
Don't fall into trap of building a conservatory because you need an extra room. Keeping a conservatory hot enough for use all year round can end up using a lot more energy than you save.

Contact:
Carpenter Oak Ltd. for Green Oak conservatorys
Ecological Construction Ltd. for 'Eco Plus' high performance conservatories, doors and windows

See the 'What you can do' page for a compilation from all sections.

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