Is it possible to live in a house where the kind of energy savings mean that you spend as much on hot water and heating as you would on a magazine or a Sunday newspaper?
The builders of four 'eco-homes' in Glasgow are hoping that it is with bills said to be costing as little as £2 per week.
Four prototype semi-detached eco-homes have been built for Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), the largest social landlord in Scotland.
It wants to roll out more eco-homes for its tenants, should the test be successful.
The association deals with more than 90,000 people across Glasgow living in social housing.
Whether the homes in Laurieston are to be the future of home construction will become clear in May when the City Building's Skills Academy completes the work.
Some of the main features of the prototypes include very simple means that could be adapted by homeowners across the UK.
The eco-home in question relies upon two simple means, a good quality
insulation and harnessing the sun's energy.
As the Scottish government said last week, good loft insulation that may cost around £250 be fitted could pay for itself within two years.
Furthermore, with developments in solar technology and its components, it may not be long before solar is an easy and affordable way to lower
electricity bills.
GHA director of regeneration Jim Sneddon believes eco-living could help tackle fuel poverty.
It represents a continuing problem for many in the UK and could escalate unless organisations such as housing associations begin to consider alternatives.
"We already provide some of the lowest-cost social housing in Glasgow and we now want to provide the best and greenest housing which benefits our tenants and the environment," he added.
In addition, as well as tackling fuel poverty, it may create a blueprint for energy efficiency that means the UK's 60 million people may soon be spending as much on a four-pint carton of milk at their local shop as they will be on water or
gas bills.
