Green homes are good homes, say South West Greens

The top two Green Party European election candidates in the South West are attending the Homes for Good 2009 exhibition in Exeter. Ricky Knight, lead candidate, and Roger Creagh-Osborne, second on the list, will be hosting a stall for exhibition visitors to learn more about the Green Party's sustainable housing policies. 

The Green Party has long promoted sustainable living, including environmentally-aware construction techniques and simple ways to cut household carbon emissions. We support free insulation for all households. Green councillors in Kirklees have been successful in securing over £10 million of additional investment for their scheme to insulate every home in the area for free, saving homeowners an estimated £150 on their annual heating bills [1].

Green Party policy states that all new houses will be built to improved standards including better accessibility and energy efficiency. It also recognises that a house is a home, not just a building, and ensures that design will meet needs for both privacy and community focal points. 

Ricky Knight, lead South West Green candidate for the European election on June 4th, said: "The Greens are passionate about creating sustainable communities and this means paying a huge amount of attention to considerate construction. We need to live in harmony with our environment, not destroy it by bad planning and wasteful building materials and methods. 

"Building homes where people enjoy living is really important. This country needs to start taking the challenge of energy-efficient homes and sustainable communities more seriously, from the initial planning stage to the final touches. We need to build-in renewable energy sources from the word go and make retro-fitting affordable and accessible. Events like Homes for Good are invaluable in showcasing all the ways in which we can change the way we live for the better."

SECOND NATURE UK AT HOMES FOR GOOD

Homes For Good is renowned for showcasing cutting edge sustainable building techniques and building materials. This is precisely why ecological insulation expert Second Nature UK Ltd is using this year’s show to highlight the benefits of its brand new product, Thermafleece PB20 (Stand 105). 

Thermafleece PB20 is a new innovation in sheep’s wool blend insulation. Like Thermafleece, Second Nature’s market leading brand in natural fibre insulation, the new Thermafleece PB20 product harnesses the excellent insulating qualities of British sheep’s wool. This is then blended with a mix of recycled polyester to create a sustainable insulating product that can be easily compressed and packaged into a tight roll without losing any thickness once unrolled.

From contractors and specifiers to homeowners and selfbuilders, all those working on build and refurbishment projects will see distinct practical advantages to this as the compact nature of Thermafleece PB20 means it takes up less space and makes working in cramped conditions a great deal easier. 

But it’s Thermafleece PB20’s technical performance that should really impress. The unique blend of 60% sheep’s wool with a recycled polyester bulking agent produces a thermal conductivity rating of 0.042 W/Mk which is better than most equivalent conventional insulation. The fact that it retains its structure so effectively also means that thermal performance does not deteriorate with time, thus ensuring product longevity.  A product for life in this case means precisely that.

The natural fibre content of Thermafleece PB20 also acts in sympathy with buildings to control humidity and also improve air quality by trapping everyday pollutants. 

Christine Armstrong of Second Nature commented: “Thermafleece PB20 is a great product because it offers both convenience and performance. Made from sustainable wool from British hill sheep and a mix of recycled polyester, its ecological credentials are first rate. Couple this with its thermal insulation properties and you can see why the product is creating quite a buzz.”

Underfloor Heating - The Ideal Partner for Renewable Energy Sources

With the introduction of the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH), energy efficiency is paramount.  It is essential housebuilders are fully conversant with the market’s more energy efficient heating systems. Underfloor Heating (UFH) has become increasingly popular as more homeowners and developers recognise the value it adds to properties in both real terms and comfort. 

When it comes to fuel bills UFH can save as much as 15 per cent according to British Gas.  UFH uses water heated to 40-60ºC making it the ideal partner for renewable energy sources such as heat pumps or solar panels. Traditional radiators require water to be heated to 60-80ºC to operate efficiently, increasing energy costs as a result. In addition, UFH allows modern condensing boilers to operate at their most efficient parameters. 

Comfort is another major factor for the homeowner. Radiators distribute their heat by convection, resulting in a higher temperature at ceiling level, UFH works by radiant heating to distribute it evenly through the room with no floor draughts. The majority of radiators are also positioned beneath the window in order to counteract the effect of down-draught from the glass, radiators lose much more energy through windows than underfloor heating. 

Wavin UFH has been installed within the code level 4 and the coveted level 6 homes at the Miller Zero concept project sited within the Pinnacle development in Basingstoke. This project is crucial in terms of giving an insight into what impact a zero carbon home actually has on the homeowner; it is intended that energy and water usage will be monitored for a period of 12 months after completion. Michelle Fleming, Category Manager for Surface Heating & Cooling at Wavin

Could you be the greenest driver in the south west?

The Energy Saving Trust (south west) challenges you to learn more about saving energy in your car and your home.

From your own energy saving lightbulbs to the solar panels on your neighbour’s roof – we all know a bit about saving energy in the home but have you wondered what else you could be doing to save carbon emissions and money?  Making a few small changes to the way that you drive your car could save around £15 per month on your fuel bill.  

The Energy Saving Trust (South West) has joined forces with the Homes for Good exhibition to tell you more.

You can find out more at Homes for Good, a sustainable home and garden exhibition being held at Westpoint Arena in Exeter on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April from 10am – 4pm. 

Ian Hutchcroft, Head of Energy Saving Trust south west, based in Exeter said:

“This year, we’re challenging visitors to the Homes for Good exhibition to have a go in our car simulator and compete against each other to see whether they are the show’s most energy efficient driver. We’re also there to offer advice on how people in the south west could reduce their carbon emissions.The Energy Saving Trust is thrilled to sponsor the Homes for Good event this year, and we’re really looking forward to helping people in our region learn more about saving energy and money in their homes and their cars.”

To find out more about how you could be saving energy in your home call the Energy Saving Trust freephone helpline on 0800 512 012. Come along to Homes for Good, meet us in person and see whether you could be the most sustainable driver in the south west! 

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 For more information please contact: Eleanor Yeo, Marketing Manager, Energy Saving Trust advice centre South West. Tel 01392 911023 / 07792 538948 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it