It is reckoned that in the UK, heating houses accounts for nearly 50% of the total energy use. Poor heating can render parts of dwellings virtually unusable, partly through discomfort due to cold and drafts and partly through the damage caused to contents through condensation, dampness, mould growth, etc. effectively reducing the house size [...]
Existing houses present a much greater challenge than new ones in terms of energy saving. However in terms of reusing building materials they often provide better opportunities.
Patrick and Fiona run a very pleasant bed and breakfast near Nelson, Caerphilly and their house has been the subject of much renovation and extension over the [...]
January ’13
Advantages of timber
Constructing with FSCForest Stewardship Council (who accredit timber) timber (or another accreditation organisation such as PEFCProgramme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. See their web site) is potentially one of the greenest ways of building for several reasons.
Timber itself captures and locks up CO² as it grows and keeps [...]
Fluespipe to conduct gas, typically ventilation air or boiler exhaust. see more on Fluespipe to conduct gas, typically ventilation air or boiler exhaust. see more on Flues
are pipes or ducts which carry waste gasses away from a building to the air outside. This can be caused by two possible mechanisms
the exhaust gasses are hot and rise naturally up the fluepipe to conduct gas, typically ventilation air [...]
February 2013
See the government web site on Building RegulationsThese are the legal regulations which govern how a house is constructed. (not to be confused with Planning Permission which is about whether you are allowed to build the house at all or what it might look like) see Building Regulations)
Building Regulations deal with whether the building is built properly and is safe and energy efficient etc. more+/-»
They are not to be confused with Planning Consentthe legal basis for being allowed to do some form of development such as building a house. (not to [...]