Eco Home

With the introduction of the Code for Sustainable Homes, the UK is now well on its way to becoming a greener country. The code replaced the EcoHomes strategy in 2007 and is now a formal set of regulations for every new house built.

There is still however a long way to go and the targets set by the European Commission are looming ever closer. The UK is bound to reduce carbon emissions by 20% before 2020. One of the main contributions to carbon emissions comes from our homes. There are a whole host of actions we can take to make our homes much more eco friendly and save significant amounts of carbon from entering the atmosphere.

One of the main benefits of implementing some or all of these energy saving techniques is that they will save homeowners significant amounts of money. With the recent price increases in petrol, gas and electricity, many people must now look at how they can keep warm this winter.

Below are some simple steps to make a difference:

• Use energy saving bulbs
• Turn everything off when not in use
• Insulate your loft
• Insulate your wall cavity
• Check for draughts and close them
• Only use your heating when people are at home
• Check your boiler timer to make sure it only comes on when you need it
• Re-use rainwater for your garden and car washing
• Only boil and heat water for the amount you need

All of the above are quick and cheap solutions but they could save you over £200 per year.

The next step is to start to generate your own electricity and heat. Installing solar power and photovoltaic cells will cater for some of your heat and electricity but not all of it. Make sure you use an approved supplier and installer as the position of your house will depend on how much heat and light you will generate. Ground or air source heating is another option but can be expensive and disruptive. They also work best with underfloor heating solutions as they generate a lower constant temperature which suits underfloor systems much better.

As with all of these solutions there is an initial outlay but you will see the benefits; some immediately and others over time. It is important to fully research and obtain advice on making your home more energy efficient and we can recommend the best options for your particular house.

Return to Sustainable Housing