Even an Old House Can Become More Energy Efficient
Depending on where you live, chances are you spend half the year trying to make your house either significantly warmer, or significantly cooler. Whichever it is, good insulation will help with consistency of temperature, and your gas bill. A roof can be insulated at any time – Inhabitat.com has helpfully listed the best eco-friendly materials. And it might not be too late for the exterior walls: if your house was built between 1920 and 2000 it is likely to have cavity walls (two layers of walls – designed to prevent damp) that might not yet have been filled. The good news is that they can be, in a matter of hours, with the help of a professional. Which? Trusted Traders is a helpful resource – you’re looking for an insulation installer who is a member of the National Insulation Association (NIA), the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) or the British Board of Agrément (BBA). Solar films for windows are another idea – some reflect heat back inside, while others prevent UV rays, and heat, entering. And don’t forget the draft-excluding wonders of lined, floor to ceiling curtains, and the possibility of wearing more – or fewer – clothes.
Your electric bill can be reduced too, chiefly by painting rooms in light, bright colours, which maximise daylight and thus minimise the need for artificial lights – though if you really are hankering for darker walls, remember a gloss finish is light-reflecting. Obvious as it sounds, it also helps to keep windows uncovered during the day, or at least to use blinds that block as little of the incoming light as possible.
Finally, when replacing appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and tumble driers, look carefully at the energy efficient ratings – and consider swapping that last for a Pulleymaid. I did it four years ago, and even in a gardenless, central London flat with two primary school-aged children, have not looked back. (Although it does require some planning: turning on the heating/using a hair dryer to emergency dry a PE kit somewhat nullifies the intention.)