Energy Efficient Homes with the help of an Eco Designer

We learnt how to keep our homes and living environments healthy this week thanks to a visit from Eco Designer Eion Scott.

Eion Scott works with homeowners, builders, designers to help them build healthy, energy efficient, water efficient houses with better indoor environments, lower-impact materials and less waste.

Mr Scott says generally, the more you invest up front the lower the running costs will be and the less carbon you produce over the building’s lifetime. Mr Scott also gave us some tips on how to be energy efficient by installing double glazing, using curtains to cover windows and have insulation installed in bedrooms and living spaces. Mr Scott thinks that we all should have energy efficient homes, some advantages are:

• Energy efficient homes consume fewer resources

• They’re more energy efficient

• They use less water

• They cause less pollution

• They create less waste

• They are better for native plants and wildlife.                                               

He believes that we should make sensible choices such as planning ahead for the future by installing solar panels, high levels of insulation, energy saver lighting open plan living areas and solar and rainwater collection.

You can still make a difference with something simple, you could use draught snakes for doors or use door or window seals; they are cheap to buy or even possible to make! Also, concrete is great floor insulation because the sun warms up the concrete and the heat travels up through your carpet.

Lastly, did you know that 42% of heat escapes through your roof? So, you should insulate your homes if you want to keep it warm.

 

By Savanah Konia Year 8 and Emily Beach Year 7