Ground source heat pumps collect warmth from a few metres beneath the surface, where the temperature is relatively constant, and concentrate it into useful energy We’ve already looked at solar thermal, but there are other options worth considering, including heat pumps (which act like refrigerators in reverse) and wood-fuelled systems such as biomass boilers. There’s nothing more sustainable than taking a natural approach to heating your home. Unless you live in Wales or Northern Ireland you won’t need planning permission for most systems, depending on size. Most boiler and hot water cylinder systems are compatible. You can use a back up boiler to boost the temperature if necessary. Water-based systems – evacuated tubes or flat plate collectors fitted to your roof – draw energy from the sun to warm domestic water. The property showcases all of the problem areas you mightface on a typical renovation – damp, no insulation, poor heating and even rotting timbers.Īs you’re guided round, room-by-room, you’ll be shown how to recognise common problems and install the necessary measures to combat them.įrom replacing window frames and installing insulation to treating rising damp the Renovation House covers everything you need to know.īy the time you walk through the finished rooms, you’ll have ample inspiration to start your own home transformation. If an eco-renovation seems like a daunting process, you’d do well to take a tour of the Renovation House at the National Self Build & Renovation centre (pictured above).Īt the beginning of the tour, they will introduce you to a dilapidated interwar home. They don’t need direct sunlight to work – so you can generate on a cloudy day – but you’ll need to attach them to a roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of south. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight into electricity.
Solar panel systems can be used to produce hot water or generate electricity, and work well with financial incentives such as FITs. See our feature on energy efficient windows for more information. You can even get hold of low-emissivity (low-e) glass, which has a special coating to reflect heat back into the room. To reduce this further, consider a product filled with a low-conductivity gas, such as argon. Replacing single-glazed windows with double- or even triple-glazed versions will slow heat transfer. Triple glazing now comes in an array of stunning contemporary designs, for instance – this Norrsken folding window
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