Grand Designs House

The fourth series of Channel Four’s Grand Designs followed the story of eight new homes and the people who built them. One of the homes was an underground eco-house in Cumbria, being built by Phil and Helen Reddy. The couple were keen to make the house as sustainable as possible - by using high levels of insulation, and combining this with the natural insulation provided from the earth, they managed to avoid having to install any heating in the house.

Given that WCs represent the largest use of water in homes (around 30-40%), Helen and Phil also had to consider alternatives to standard WCs. They decided to install the Ifö Cera ES4, a low-flush toilet designed by water conservation specialists Elemental Solutions and supplied by Green Building Store. The ES4 has an ultra-low 4.5 litre flush, and was also one of the very few WCs on the market that has received independent verification from the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS). Phil said: "The best thing about the ES4 is that it appears to work like any other WC, but it does save water with every flush…it is an effortless way to minimise water usage."

Architect: John Bodger, Chartered Architect, Tel: 01768 864224
Contractors: John Trengrove, Barco Developments, Tel: 01768 867338
Clients: Helen and Phil Reddy, Email: mail@theundergroundhouse.org.uk