Eco- Renovating a Victorian Terraced House

Andy Hunt

Green Cottage –

Why?

• Resource Depletion

• Peak oil

• North Sea gas depletion

• Power stations closing down with no replacements in sight

• Energy and food prices rising, risk of power cuts growing

• Climate Change

• Despite ‘scandals’ the science is sound

• UNPCC actually underestimates the severity of warming

• Is damaging food supply

• Biodiversity loss

• All hands on deck for energy efficiency and renewable energy

• ‘Cos It’s Fun!

Green Cottage

Pimhole, Bury

Location &

Sustainable Transport

Energy

Efficiency

• “Smart Plug” for desktop computer, switches off all peripherals when not needed

• No TV – I use a laptop computer to play CDs, internet radio and watch DVDs, connected to a hi-fi amplifier and speakers

• Remote control sockets ensure that nothing is left on

• I use desk lamps with CFLs and LEDs, not the ‘big light’

• AAA rated kitchen appliances set on ‘eco’ (low temperature)

• Induction hob for quick boils

• “Good Energy” supplies my grid electricity

Heating and

Insulation

• I have insulated the loft with current standard 270mm of insulation

• Walls are solid brick; I could install dry lining or external cladding but very expensive or disruptive. Double glazed windows

• Clean-burning wood stove supplies radiators and hot water cylinder

Solar

Hot Water

Solar

PhotoVoltaics

Affordable

Solar Power

Power Cut

Proofing

The

Bathroom

The

Garden

The Garden –

Agrichar (Terra Preta)

The

Garden

The

Garden

The

Garden

The Garden –

Wildlife

The Garden –

Wildlife

The Garden –

Wildlife

The Garden –

Wildlife

The Garden –

Food

Drop in for

a Cuppa!

RESOURCES•Feed In Tariff – will pay householders for generating renewable electricity. Three-way benefit: a set payment per unit generated; savings on electricity which does not need to come from the national grid; sale of surplus electricity into the grid. http://www.fitariffs.co.uk/

•Renewable Heat Incentive will provide a similar subsidy to households with biomass boilers. Wood stoves will NOT be included though

•The coalition government plans to set up ‘green loans’ for householders to improve their insulation etc and repay the loan from savings on their energy bill

•For subsidised insulation schemes, call the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012

LINKS

http://greencottage.burysolarclub.net

www.traffordecohouse.com

www.uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk

www.energysavingtrust.org.uk