IMPROVE YOUR HOME THE eco-friendly way
Whether you’re planning a renovation or looking for some easy switches, these eco innovations will make for a greener home
1 PREPARE FOR HYDROGEN HEATING
Hydrogen is likely to be one of the main fuels used to heat our homes in the future and Worcester Bosch is one of the brands pioneering hydrogen boilers. A hydrogenready boiler is intended to provide a like-for-like replacement of an existing boiler, and can run on natural gas until hydrogen becomes available in the next decade or so. They’re not available yet but it’s expected that all new boilers installed in the UK from 2025 will have to be hydrogen-ready.
2 OPT FOR SUSTAINABLE FLOORING
The Colour Flooring Company’s Corka range is made from the bark of Portuguese oak trees and is only harvested once every nine years. Corka is carbon negative as it removes more carbon dioxide from the air than is used in its manufacture. Choose from seven designs for a stylish cork floor that’s planet-friendly.
3 INSULATE USING RECYCLED MATERIALS
If you’re looking to improve your home’s eco credentials, good insulation is a must. Check out Supasoft – an itch-free, cost-effective and easy-to-install insulation made from recycled plastic bottles. An average of 12,000 bottles produces enough Supasoft to insulate a typical loft. It costs around £31 per pack (containing enough to cover 5.85 per sq m) from Natural Insulations.
4 CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE HEATING SOLUTIONS
A computer-controlled infrared (CCIR) heating system is a great low-carbon alternative to a traditional heating system. It’s more effective because it heats the materials within a room, rather than the air, and uses fewer units of energy. Prices vary depending on the type of property and existing heating setup, but for a typical twobedroom house, a CCIR heating system from Ambion Heating should cost around £5,000.
5 HARNESS SOLAR POWER IN STYLE
Although more expensive than solar panels, solar tiles could be a great alternative if you’re building or renovating a roof. Solecco’s tiles create a clean, contemporary finish and generate energy to power your home efficiently. Visit soleccosolar.com for a quote. Natural upgrade
The development of hydrogen-fired boilers will mean millions of existing heating systems in our homes can be saved, rather than replaced. The beauty of hydrogen as an alternative to natural gas is that the only by-product is water and the gas network
is already in place.
Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Communication
and Product Management, Worcester Bosch 6 SPEED UP COMPOSTING
Draper’s compost tumbler (below right) will help speed up the composting process. It can take up to a year before compost made in a heap can be ready to use, but being regularly flipped in this tumbler means that it can be ready in six to eight weeks. 7 CHOOSE RECYCLABLE ALUMINIUM
If you’re looking to renovate your kitchen this year, aluminium is a greener option for a splashback. AluSplash panels are made from recycled aluminium that can be recycled again, should you ever need a replacement. There are various designs available, including the Elements collection (right), which has chic matt-finish panels. 8 SWITCH WINDOW DRESSINGS
A huge amount of the heat from your home can be lost through doors and windows, but choosing the right blinds could make a big difference. Made-to-measure thermal roller blinds or solar reflective blinds will both help to reduce heat loss. Visit conservatoryblinds4less.co.uk to find a great selection. 9 FUTURE-PROOF YOUR HOME
Check if you’re eligible for the Government’s
Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) grant – you could receive up to 75 per cent towards the purchase and installation of an electric vehicle charging point. Depending on the installer, Indra’s Smart Pioneer charging point (right) could cost just £799, or £1,149 without the OZEV grant. 10 CHECK NEW-BUILD CREDENTIALS
If you’re thinking of purchasing a new-build property, find out what’s promised in terms of energy-efficiency and sustainability. In order to avoid unnecessary heat loss, houses built by St Modwen Homes, for example, are twice as airtight than is required by Building Regulations. In addition, a variety of sustainable features are available, such as solar panels, air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.