at home with Sarah Beeny - August 2012 - (Page 243)
YOUR GREEN HOME
Keep warm
DISCOVER EFFICIENT WAYS OF HEATING UP YOUR HOME AND ENSURING YOU KEEP IT IN
KEEP GREEN
appropriate heat output for your property size will save you a third on your bills straight away, and you minimise the risk of it breaking down when it’s dropped to two below zero outside! Energy experts are advising homeowners that ‘green’ boiler systems are going to be one of the best investments you can make. Called Micro-CHP, the green boiler acts like a regular boiler but also produces electricity as a by-product. As a result, they qualify for the government’s green financial incentives. Gas is the cheapest fuel to run this type of heating system and has the lowest carbon emissions, apart from wood. Worcester Bosch’s Greenstar gas boilers are all 90% efficient or more, offering significant savings on fuel bills and the environment. Every Worcester Bosch Greenstar boiler has been awarded a Which? Best Buy accreditation. For products, visit www. worcester-bosch.co.uk Another alternative to using the more traditional heating methods is to go electric. There is a range
W
ith household bills rising all the time, it’s more important than ever to look for cost-effective ways to heat your home. But with the dramatic changes being witnessed in the climate, it’s also become crucial that this is done in ways that will not harm the environment. We take a look at how you can cut back significantly on your fuel bills and carbon footprint…
of electric methods that are cheaper, more energy efficient and kinder to the environment, from infrared heating panels to electric radiators. Visit www.helvetic.ie for an eco-friendly way to save up to 70% on your home’s heating bills.
Through the roof
Out with the old
If your regular boiler is past its best, it may be time to consider the long-term cost savings of investing in a new, energy efficient appliance. Replacing it with a high efficiency model with
WORDS: Georgina Maric | PHOTOGRAPH: Getty Images
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BLOWING IN THE WIND A DRAUGHT EXCLUDER CAN CUT HOUSEHOLD HEAT LOSS BY UP TO 25% IN WINTER
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Loft insulation is probably the most important energy-saving change you can make. Your home can lose around 40% of its heat through the loft space and walls, so it is well worth investing in some good quality loft insulation. The Energy Savings Trust suggests that by adding 250mm loft insulation, which will cost you about £170 in materials, could save between £80-£100 annually on your energy bills. This means that you can easily recover the cost of the work materials in around two years. Installing loft insulation yourself is not technically difficult, but the working conditions often make the job challenging. If you’re thinking about upping the level of insulation in your roof, as well as cavity wall insulation and solid wall insulation, take a look at Climate Energy Solutions (www.ce-solutions.org.uk).
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Between the lines
In most homes built after 1920, the walls are made up of two layers with a small air ‘cavity’ in between. If you have an unfilled cavity then your home could be losing a good amount of its heat. By fitting insulation in the cavity, the average house could reduce heating bills by 15%. The cost is on average £500 but it is a long-term investment as it could save £90 a year from the heating bill of the average household. There are three types of material that are used for filling cavity walls; mineral wool, urea formaldehyde foam and polystyrene beads. Once they are installed they can remain in place for the life of the building as they are resistant to water penetration and allow moisture to escape through the wall. If you are looking for a more eco-friendly insulation you could use sheep’s wool, hemp, flax, cork board, cellulose (from recycled newspaper) or straw. ■ www.athomemagazine.co.uk AUGUST 2012 | 243
http://www.helvetic.ie
http://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk
http://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk
http://www.ce-solutions.org.uk
http://www.athomemagazine.co.uk
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of at home with Sarah Beeny - August 2012
EDITOR’S LETTER
WELCOME FROM SARAH
NEWS
AWESOME AUGUST
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
TABLE TALK
THE THRIFTY FIFTY
TRENDS ON TRIAL
BEENY UNCUT
ESSENTIAL HOME-BUYING GUIDE
SURVEY SAVVY
WHAT’S THE SCORE?
THE NEW FACE OF PROPERTY?
SELLER SECRETS
LOCATION LOCK-UP
SOAP AND GLORY
OPEN UP
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
TOP SHOP
THE BRIGHT STUFF
GET THE JUNGLE LOOK
WARDROBE WARS
A ONE OFF
MOSAIC MAGIC
GLASS ACT
TAKE TO THE FLOOR
FRAME GAME
IT’S A BLINDER
SNUG AS A BUG
BURNING QUESTION
THE A-TEAM
QUICK FIX
BEAT THE BUILDING BLUES
LET THERE BE LIGHT
GOING DOWN
GARDEN GREATS
DIRTY DEALINGS
ALIEN INVASION
JUMP RIGHT IN
LITTLE WONDER
OUT OF SIGHT
PROFESSOR GREEN
ECO EXCLUSIVE
TALKING TRASH
PRO PLANET PROJECTS
HELLO, SUNSHINE
CARBON-NEUTRAL COVER
STAR GLAZER
EARTH HOUR
HOT TOPIC
MASS REDUCTION
WASTE NOT
SWITCHED ON
ETHICAL INTERIORS
YOU LIVE WHERE?
COMING SOON
WINNING SPOT
LUXE LINEN
CATCH-UP
STOCKISTS
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