Eco-beauty at Bartlemy, North Cork

There are plenty of eco-aware build features in this modern Scandinavian-inspired bungalow, built in a rural Irish setting at Cykeel South near Bartlemy in North Cork. 

Bartlemy, North Cork

€325,000

Size: 225 sq m/4 beds

BER: C2

Yet, it only scores a C2 BER. It’s probably down to the fact its heating is underfloor, and sourced from electricity, as the Irish BER system seems to be biased against electrically-generated energy: on just about every other front, this home is a paragon of efficiency.

Built in the mid-2000s by Scandinavian Homes Ltd, it has triple glazing, high air-tightness levels and fresh air ventilation/heat recovery, is extensively insulated, has solar heating for water heating, and a wood burning stove in its main living room.

It’s close to passive energy standards, says selling agent Jean Shanahan of DNG Condon and she guides the four-bed family home of over 2,400 sq ft at €325,000, saying its on a sunny plot a couple of miles from Rathcormac and “offers a unique lifestyle of comfortable modern living, with minimal running costs.”

It has a hall with engineered white oak floor, open plan living/dining/kitchen, similarly floored with a wood-burning stove and veranda access, high-gloss kitchen, quality kitchen brands, and a walk-in pantry. There’s also a family room, a utility room, and ground floor bedroom, and bathrooms.

Upstairs, via an oak staircase, are three more bedrooms, one with dressing room, main bathroom, good attic/eaves storage crawl space, plus a store room. Outside is a double garage, wood store, and a recently planted orchard

VERDICT: How green is my valley.