The Woods - Richard Darlington

1994/5 Installed Velux window to give natural light to the top landing and staircase.

• Cut hatches in the suspended timber floor to insulate h.w. pipes under the floor.

• Installed solar thermal panel linked to a replacement new condensing boiler.

• Bedrooms, other than the bathrooms, not heated except if unwell.

• Had cavity walls insulated with blown rock wool.

• Had extra insulation in the roof spaces

• Installed water butts to provide water to flush the house toilets & garden.

• At same time we collect the cold water before hot water comes through.

• Fitted a washing machine that allows us to collect the used water.

• Installed water meter so we could monitor our water usage. (Currently using slightly over 1 cu.m. per month. Was 2 before my wife died.)

• Created a wild area with a pond for wild life.

• Formed a terrace for vegetable raised beds. (still eating last seasons runner beans)

• Had a rear porch constructed to lessen heat loss.

• Installed pull up clothes drying racks in back porch and a bathroom. We do NOT have an electrical clothes dryer on principle.

• Had two windows cut into the south west wall to provide light and solar gain.

• Installed three compost bins

‘95 onwards

• Gradually replaced original windows with double glazed eco contract high quality soft wood windows*

• Gradually replaced tungsten light bulbs with low energy ones.

2003 Installed PV panels with 50% grant. Cost us £5,500. The income, without FITS, has been more than £5,500 would have earned in interest in a Building Society.

• At the same time had the roof stripped and a breathable felt laid.

NB United Utilities tried to insist that a condition was that we would agree to paying a ‘reasonable’ contribution to any cable distribution upgrade in the future. The Energy Saving Trust got this clause outlawed.

• Replaced both toilets with water saving flushing cisterns. (The replacement water does not start filling the cistern until it is completely emptied)*

• Internal walls painted with natural Farrow & Ball emulsion paint.

• Laid thickest underlay when replacing carpets in Sitting and Dining Rooms.

2014 Bought a second hand Nissan LEAF all electric car.

• All windows and doors are painted with OS Color eco paint.*

 

• We managed not to fly for 10 years. Daughter and her husband go by train as often as possible when working on the Continent.

 

 

* from The Green Building Store (www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk)