The Art of Eco-Thrift

Published: 08th September 2008 | Author: Tom Klein

Nothing is going to encourage us more in using eco-friendly products and sustainable materials than ‘bottom line’. Cash saving ideas are at the top of the agenda this month as we look to squeeze every last penny out of our properties. This is a definate must even with PM Gordon Brown’s helping hand last week.

Energy Saving = Money Saving

Even though effective loft insulation offers energy and carbon savings there are still approximately 1 million lofts uninsulated throughout the UK. In certain areas households can gain government support, through Warm Zones tackling fuel poverty. Also cavity wall insulation is one of the most cost and carbon effective of measures, however 8.5 million wall cavities remain untouched.

Approximately 60 local authorities now offer a council tax rebate of £50 to £100 for householders installing energy efficiency measures, usually insulation. Also for property investors the Landlords Energy Saving Allowance (LESA) is a tax allowance of up to £1,500 per property claimable against income or corporation tax bills where insulation measures have been installed in private rented accommodation.

Eco-Friendly Home Improvements

As we all know, our friend the VAT-man allows construction of new build property a zero VAT rate, whereas refurbishment, repair and retrofit of existing homes are charged at 17.5%. However a knock down rate of 5% VAT is now levied on energy savings materials that are professionally supplied and installed. This applies only to residential accommodation for items such as:

Air source heat pumps

Central heating

Draught stripping

Ground source heat pumps

Hot water system controls

Insulation

Micro combined heat and power units

Solar panels

Underfloor heating

Water and wind turbines

Wood-fuelled boilers

Solid walled properties represent around 1/3 of the total housing stock in the UK. The estimated 7 million solid walled homes issue more difficult challenges and higher costs to insulate than cavity fill – let’s hope you’re not one of the 7 million!

Getting Red Faced at Energy Prices?

A recent study showed that 89% of people feel ‘ripped off’ by their energy company and fuel poverty is growing throughout the UK. Whilst the government has a legally binding covenant stating that no people will live in fuel poverty by 2016 there have been dramatic rises in the last 7 years. In 2001 1.8 million households were in fuel poverty in England and it is estimated to rise above 3 million in 2008.

Research undertaken by the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes (EEPH) in mid 2008 stated that 85% of private tenants surveyed were ‘stressed’ about increases in energy prices. The introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in October 2008 was acceptable to 88% of respondents and found to be useful in deciding on somewhere to rent.

Insulation – Not the Only Answer

The Carbon Trust (CT) state that 25% of heat is lost through the roof and another 10% through the walls. Insulation can only really affect 35% of your energy bill – but this is a significant saving for most households. Around 55% of a building’s heat would be lost throughsingle glazed windows and open fires. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) announced that even in 2003 82% of housing stock was double-glazed and 94% of homes had some loft insulation, also 37% of homes had cavity wall insulation.

Thermal Insulation

With the advent of sustainable materials in the past decade we have seen an increase in the number and diversity of materials used for their thermal properties. Each material gauged using a U-value and the higher this is, the higher its thermal property. Desinging insulants to achieve a certain level for specifiaction is done simply through altered thickness. Insulants can last up to 50 years or more when professionally installed. There are four main types of thermal material, which are listed here:

Cellular plastics

Mineral fibre, stone or glass wool

Plant-based insulants such as cellulose fibre

Animal-based insulants such as sheep’s wool

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