Little Kelham is an award-winning development of 157 one to four-bedroom low carbon Citu Houses in the Kelham Island area of Sheffield.
The development of energy efficient and virtually air tight homes is the largest of its type in the UK and will see residents reduce their energy bills and cut carbon emissions by up to 90 per cent. The Citu Houses do not require heating. Instead they are warmed passively by the heat given off by domestic appliances, humans and pets. The Citu Houses are insulated to such an extent that the heat created is not lost.
Meanwhile the homes use a mechanical heat recovery ventilation (MHRV) system to ensure fresh air circulates around the house without any heat loss. The houses at Little Kelham are also digitally-enabled, allowing residents to control and monitor energy usage from a smartphone or tablet. The platform shows in real time information like how much energy is being used, how warm the house is and the time it will take for the house to reach a given temperature. It also allows users to remotely turn off power sockets, boost heat or check their home is secure.
Little Kelham is built on a brownfield site once occupied by two factories. These historic buildings, some of which are listed, will form a key part of the development. Historic England have contributed funding towards the restoration of the buildings, which will eventually be used for retail, office and creative space.
Following on from the success of Little Kelham, there are now plans for a further extension to the scheme at a site adjacent to the existing one. This will see a further 98 Citu Houses being built.