Energy efficiency

How to Build a No-Heat Home
Is it truly possible to build a home that is warm and comfortable to live in, yet requires no heating — relying purely on super insulation,airtightness and the sun’s rays? Mark Brinkley reports. Plus three case studies of self-builds with no central heating system.

Airtight Homes
‘Build tight and ventilate right’ is a much-uttered phrase in the world of green building, but what does it actually mean? Mark Brinkley provides answers to some common questions.

How to Build a Sustainable Home
Renewables may grab the headlines but, in reality, the key fundamentals of a successful green house remain what they have always been — low-energy design principles and investment in the building fabric.

Eco Home Insulation
It’s all very well to think about eco homes in terms of the sexier features such as heat pumps and solar panels, but the crucial starting point is to ensure that the heat your home generates doesn’t escape.

Saving Energy
Winter — ‘tis the season to be parsimonious with your energy usage. We clear up once and for all how you should approach making your home warmer and more efficient, and give our verdict on how effective – and expensive – the many energy-saving measures really are

Saving Energy - The Ten Steps You Should Take
Part of H&R's Saving Energy series - The most sensible steps to an eco-friendly home, including choosing the right materials, insulation, renewable energy and eco lighting options

Building a House That Heats Itself
It is the ultimate dream for many self-builders - to build a house so well designed that it doesn't need a heating system. But can it really be done, asks Mark Brinkley

The End of Open Windows
It is mandatory for all houses gaining planning consent after April 2006 to meet the Building Regulations Part L150 standard on airtightness. The new regulations demand not only mechanical ventilation systems, but a complete lifestyle change, says Tim Pullen

The A-Z of Green Homes
Confused by all the talk about green homes? We explain the key terms in the ultimate reference guide for self-builders and renovators

Eco Window Frames - Which material is best?
We all know that wooden windows and doors are favoured from a conservationist’s point of view, but are they the only true eco-friendly option? And, if so, how valid are the claims of high cost and maintenance? Tim Pullen investigates

Passivhaus: The Last Word in Green Building?
This new super-efficient house is so airtight it needs no heating. But ‘PassivHaus’, as it is known, certainly isn’t the only eco build standard around. Tim Pullen looks at models across the globe, including Activhaus and Super-E

Off-Site Kit Houses: A Greener Build?
Is an off-site manufactured kit house, transported potentially hundreds of miles to site before being built, actually the eco-friendly alternative? Tim Pullen states the case

Meeting the new Energy Standards
The new Part L Building Regulations will toughen up the energy efficiency requirements of all new homes

Heating & Plumbing: Green Options
Innovation in green technologies is mostly about producing cheaper heat. Mark Brinkley examines the eco options

Windows & Doors: Energy Efficiency
Windows have been at the forefront of the move towards greater energy efficiency. They have an unusual role in all this because there are times of the day when windows can be net contributors of heat

PVCu Windows: A Green Option?
From a green point of view, it’s always been the same: timber good, plastic bad. Well, that might be about to change. Tim Pullen reports

Eco Lighting... A Bright Idea?
With high-wattage, electricity-wasting tungsten bulbs being rapidly phased out, and the Building Regulations demanding the use of energy-efficient light fittings, the choice is no longer if you should go green — but which products to specify

Kitchens & Bathrooms: Green Design Ideas
As part of our 12 steps of self-build series, Mark Brinkley looks at how to make your new home's water usage eco-friendly

A Green Smart Home?
There is no reason why an eco home should shun smart technology — indeed there are several areas where it can help to dramatically reduce your energy consumption. Melanie Griffiths explains

Range Cookers in the Sustainable Home
Ever popular in traditional homes, the cast iron range cooker is famous for its good looks, multitasking abilities, and its claims to last a lifetime — but is it a viable choice in the sustainable home? Tim Pullen investigates

6 Steps to an Energy Efficient Home
While energy generation is the headline-grabbing part of green homebuilding, the other side of the equation – reducing your home’s energy needs – is more important, says Mark Brinkley