Air Source Heat Pumps and the Government Grant That Makes Them Affordable
Air Source Heat Pumps and the Government Grant That Makes Them Affordable At a Glance Aspect Details Carbon Saving Up to 3.5 tonnes CO2 per year Annual Cost Impact Varies…
Switching Energy Suppliers and the Easiest Carbon Reduction Most People Miss
Switching Energy Suppliers At a Glance Aspect Details Carbon Saving Varies by tariff — green tariffs claim up to 100% renewable Annual Cost Impact Usually neutral — green tariffs often…
The Best Paint Finishes and Techniques for Upcycled Furniture
When I first moved into my house six years ago I started upcycling furniture because buying everything new was expensive and would have resulted in every room furnished from the…
Sustainable Living in a Rented Property and What You Can Change Without a Landlord’s Permission
Renting. It’s practically another word for “having terrible energy efficiency”. Okay, maybe we’re exaggerating slightly. After all, nearly half of all private rental homes in England do currently have an…
How to Start Composting at Home and the Setup That Works for Any Space
There’s something quietly pleasing about transforming yesterday’s vegetable peelings into dark crumbly soil that makes other things grow. I started composting thirty years ago, before it got trendy and everyone…
Sustainable Bedding and Mattresses and Whether Organic Cotton Is Worth the Price
Sustainable Bedding and Mattresses At a Glance Aspect Details Environmental Impact Mattresses: 7.5-10 million discarded annually in UK Organic Cotton Premium 20-80% higher than conventional bedding Lifespan Quality mattress: 8-12…
Upcycling Home Decor and the Projects That Look Professional Not Homemade
From my battered old dresser to my rustic shelf made from reclaimed fence palings, my flat is full of upcycled items. Things that started life as something else but have…
Community Composting Schemes and What to Do If You Can’t Compost at Home
I always thought I’d have to live with bad recycling habits forever. Like endlessly contaminating the recycling bin because you can’t be arsed to rinse foil, or fly-tipping because you…
The Complete Guide to Composting at Home
TL;DR **Recommended First Steps** **Basics: ** Buy a basic compost bin (£20-50) or just start piling stuff in a corner. Learn about green/brown materials and try for a 1:3 carbon:nitrogen…
The Complete Guide to Upcycling and Repurposing at Home
TL;DR: Beginner Advice 1. Learn to source properly first – Always look in charity shops and on Facebook Marketplace before buying upcycling materials online. Focus on furniture under £50 that…
Eco Friendly Insulation Materials Compared and What Works in Different Parts of a House
Sometime last year I finally sat down and started looking properly at how and where our house was losing heat. My first couple of attempts were half-hearted at best and…
Urban Rainwater Harvesting and How to Set Up a System in a Small Space
It’s true that a hosepipe and summer rain have the potential to start an argument between neighbours. Both will leave you soaked if you’re within range of either and both…
Sheep Wool Insulation and Whether the Natural Option Performs as Well as Synthetic
There are many choices when it comes to home insulation. Walk down the isle at your local builders merchant and you’ll find mineral wool, rigid foam boards, multifoil reflectives, and…
Rainwater Butts vs Underground Tanks and Which System Suits Your Property
Another dry weekend in the garden, sprinkler droning away to keep your lawn alive, with half your brain wondering if that really is necessary and the other half calculating how…
Insulation for Cold Weather and What UK Homes Actually Need to Stay Warm
Your house leaks heat. Through the walls, roof, windows, and all the cracks you didn’t realise were there until you started looking. With heating costs accounting for around 55 percent…