Sun, 08 Mar 2026 17:24:31 +0000 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10835 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10835 Fri, 28 Jun 2013 10:42:14 +0100 Mikel
Firstly, this show is also on today as well as yesterday, so there is still time to go.

I spent a morning yesterday visiting a number of stands. I didn't bother with the presentations as I wanted tailored information.

I was particularly interested in the Green Deal Assessment as it will probably apply for the RHI (if that ever sees the light of day!). Information from various people suggested that an announcement was imminent.

I asked various companies about battery backup systems for storing electricity generated during the day and using that overnight. Still a costly technology but worth putting your name down to be kept informed of developments.

Perhaps the most interesting time was at the stand of Western Power Distribution. I was after any Cornwall electricity usage stats (unfortunately not available as the companies are concerned with the instantaneous power demand and that the supply is over a region rather than the County boundary.

The discussion then turned to their various research projects, which are funded out of a pot from the various energy companies and the results disseminated amongst those companies. Not surprisingly there is a lot of research, inter alia, into the effects of distributed generation, voltage levels and the possibility of dropping the voltage down by 6 volts or so, and the effects of e.g. heat pumps. Whilst WPD didn't say anything about grid capacity in Cornwall, other companies did comment that capacity is probably being reached and that technique and policies for encouraging local consumption of locally generated supply are going to be needed fairly soon. Mention was made by one company (I've forgotten which) that Germany is introducing a tarrif to encourage usage of locally generated supply.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10728 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10728 Thu, 30 May 2013 15:56:58 +0100 SteamyTea http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01snbm2

Or would we be better off not throwing a third of it away]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10674 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10674 Tue, 14 May 2013 09:32:33 +0100 owlman First; anyone got any bright ideas for a solution short of a shotgun.
Second; Is the increasing useage of huge glazed areas in out homes very bad, not only from an insulation point of view, but also from a wildlife perspective?
Third; Bit of a daft question, but are there any non reflective sealed units?

Edit: We OWLS generally don't have a problem, being mainly nocturnal.:bigsmile::wink:]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10479 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10479 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:59:39 +0100 rosedale https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10474 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10474 Sun, 07 Apr 2013 18:54:07 +0100 GaryB
http://energy-egg.com/

It looks as though it is a PIR activated controller for switching off appliances, particularly entertainment devices in the living room.

Anyone got one or seen one at any of the shows?

Not expensive and gives a claimed 2 year payback. My only concerns are:

1. As PIR controllers are movement activated, will they turn everything off if you just sit on the sofa and don't move for 5-10 minutes?
2. The worst power user on standby is a Sky box. Our HD Plus box uses 15.5 Watts average on auto standby (really Sky, get your act together!), 21 Watts in use. Powering this unit down means no recording is available and you have to wait for it to reboot before anything can be watched. So it cannot really be connected, an opportunity for £20 per year in savings missed.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10391 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10391 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:05:02 +0000 dazdread
Transition Town Market Harborough is part of a successful bid to run a sustainability project here in Market Harborough over the next five years... can't tell you the name as it is a secret for now :o)

We are working with a local housing association to create a demonstration retro-fit home, now obviously we would ideally like to have a solid walled, single glazed dwelling to show the dramatic savings that can be made but the only home we have available to us is a 1950's cavity wall (Filled) home with C-rated double glazed windows and 250mm of loft insulation (Presumably rockwool) and it has an A-rated boiler. The house is certified band C on its EPC.

So the reality is that this home is probably where many private homes are and there are no real cost effective infrastructure upgrades that can be made. We have decided to proceed with this home and the concrete ground floor has been dug out and replaced with an insulated slab and inter floor insulating installed (Aided by the fact the ceiling fell down).

The question here is can significant savings be made by technology and services as well as behavioral changes if so can we have your ideas and hopefully they will create an easily replicable package for other homes.

We have decided to provide this home to the tenants with the white goods in place so as not to compromise the project with old, energy inefficient goods.

Can you recommend anything that we should consider... with a limited budget.

Best regards

Darren]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9936 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9936 Wed, 26 Dec 2012 18:38:15 +0000 RobinB thanks!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9868 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9868 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 21:34:24 +0000 tony
150l or 120l or 100l or 80l or less?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9777 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9777 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 09:20:11 +0000 GaryB 2 kWh per DAY. This is equivalent to 750 kWh pa, costing me £115 a year.

I insulated the freezer sides and top (it had a condenser coil at the back) but it didn't make a noticeable difference. No longer requiring the capacity of freezer (due to empty nest syndrome), I ordered a frost free fridge freezer rated at 226kWh pa.

This new unit has been running for just over a week and the plug-in meter indicates it used just 1.74 kWh over a week.

The energy consumption equates to just 90 kWh pa, much lower than the 226 kWh pa official rating. This performance is I believe down to the following:

The fridge freezer is in an unheated utility room (10 deg C to 15.5 deg C range) giving less heat gain, but because it is primarily a fridge, the official rating must include for frequent opening and closing of the door, which doesn't happen as it is used as an overflow for our Bosch larder fridge (113 kWh pa).

The fridge freezer cost just £219.00 including home delivery. This gives a payback of 2 years and will save 650 kWh pa of leccy.

I recommend checking of your existing equipment using a plug-in meter and also reduce the amount of times the fridge door is opened and closed, as this seems to have quite an impact on consumption.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9177 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9177 Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:30:23 +0100 tony
There are no guidelines for the amounts of airborne pollutants in our homes!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8977 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8977 Sat, 21 Apr 2012 09:23:39 +0100 Triassic
Is this a good idea - Pros and cons?

Anyone got any links to research on the subject?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8960 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8960 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:02:29 +0100 GBP-Keith https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2884 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2884 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:12:18 +0000 GBP-Keith
http://www.greenbuildingpress.co.uk/shop/forums.php

Registration that was mede to join this forum will not work on the Green Living Forum so you can optionally register there or post as a guest.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2374 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2374 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:17:41 +0100 rs6mra
Many thanks.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2581 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2581 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:23:58 +0100 Mike George
Also at the other end of the scale: Who is already using heating?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2719 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2719 Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:50:24 +0100 TheDoctor
The majority of winter heat will be off a central wood-burning stove, to minimise the use of the LPG, but i am interested in the most efficient difference between daytime and nighttime temps.

The system comes pre-programmed to 21 degrees day and 17 degrees night.
That's way too hot for me!

I was planning on a daytime temp of 18 degrees (which would then be tripped off as the woodburning stove would exceed this when it is running. What about night time?

17 is 4 degrees lower than 21 - should i set nighttime at 14 degrees?

i'd love to have it off, but apparently it is most efficient to keep a constant to reduce wasted energy bringing it back to temp.

thoughts would be welcomed!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2756 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2756 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 23:58:54 +0100 Bruce Davis https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2032 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2032 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:09:13 +0100 SimonH
I currently drive an old BMW 330Ci and want to switch to something lower polluting. However I have realised that selling it won’t get rid of it’s emissions. In fact they could make it worse – depending on who has the car next (I drive it very slowly!). After looking at hydrogen or electric conversions I have realised they’re not economically viable (or even available) and went back and had a look at LPG – something I discounted previously as I only do about 7,000 miles per year.

Now I’ve done some calcs and found that LPG is not only cost effective but also very low emissions. In fact so low, it makes me wonder why we have diesel/petrol?

I found for my 7,000 miles per year the 330ci with an LPG conversion will have:

Emissions of a Ford Focus Econetic Hatch (1882kg 330ci vs 1860kg Econetic)
Fuel Costs of a VW Polo Bluemotion (£745 330ci vs £764 Bluemotion)

As a comparison the Toyota Prius came in at 1,557 kg and £805.
The 330ci currently on unleaded petrol is 2,324 kg and £1202 yikes! In fact its worse as it drinks super unleaded – same emissions as unleaded but about £1.20 / litre.

These are based on real world consumption figures – mine for the 330ci and www.spritmonitor.de for the two “Eco cars” from Ford and VW. I guessed these will be better than average figures as anyone bothered enough to post their fuel figures will probably drive sensibly.

Here’s my conversion figures if anyone wants to check. Is this too good to be true!? Instead of shelling out -£4-5k to “upgrade” to a low emission car, I can just spend £1,800 on an LPG conversion. And I’ll know that when I do come to sell the car on – at least it will do less damage.

Litres -> Gallon 4.54609188

Petrol Diesel LPG
£/Litre £1.19 £1.25 £0.59
£/Gal £5.41 £5.68 £2.68
kg CO2/L 2.3 2.63 1.49
kg CO2/G 10.46 11.96 6.77

Focus Econetic 45 mpg.
Polo Bluemotion 52 mpg.
Toyota Prius 47 mpg.
BMW 330Ci 31.5 mpg (currently with unleaded) 20% less for LPG = 25.2 Mpg.
(all well below manufacturers claimed figures except for mine)

Get your mileage and divide and times the above figures a bit by fuel type/mpg to see how you’d come out.

One thing it shows, that MPG isn’t the best thing to go on. Diesel gets more MPG but costs more and has higher CO2 per litre. Plus a whole load of other nasties.

The thing that swings it for LPG is the very low 1.49 kg/CO2 per litre – I think because there’s more Hydrogen than Carbon in the propane (C3H8) / butane (C4H10) mixture and than you get with the complicated unleaded : C7H16 C8H18 C6H12 C5H10 C6H6 C7H8 & C2H5OH C4H9OCH3 etc. Even though the energy density is lower it’s more than enough to make it the lowest emission fuel.

And the lack of TAX – which I can now see is more than justified based on the [lack of] emissions.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2564 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2564 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:53:13 +0100 JackyR
Ignoring for a mo the intrinsic waste of print/paper/petrol in unsolicited advertising, has anyone any good ideas on What To Do?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2410 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2410 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:05:23 +0100 stephendv Some details:
- Distance between greywater/reedbed and the well is about 240 meters
- Well will be about 70m deep
- All of the land slopes gently towards the well

There's nothing we can do about the location of the well, but the location of the greywater/reedbed is still to be decided, unfortunately no matter where we put it, it will be upstream from the well.

Thoughts?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2559 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2559 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:26:35 +0100 finkers https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2620 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2620 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:54:22 +0100 Bluray
I have a stream on my land and it has a weir with a drop of approx 18" with a very strong flow over it.

I am looking to produce my own electricity supply from this and done some research on the internet but there doesnt seem to be anything suitable in the UK - can someone perhaps point me in the right direction or make a suggestion please!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2446 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2446 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:38:47 +0100 j40 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2268 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2268 Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:08:20 +0100 mike4africa https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2240 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2240 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:15:18 +0100 mrswhitecat
Anyway, looking into the issue (not that I expect to be troubled much longer by our regular friend) I’ve come across something called a Mooncup – see www.mooncup.co.uk . Ladies could you see yourself using a reusable silicon pot and a washable panty liner?

Also (as no doubt there will only be a short interlude before I’m adding to landfill with incontinence pads) does anyone know of an eco-friendly solution to this issue? It might be something worthwhile remembering.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2361 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2361 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:17:51 +0100 mike7 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2443 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2443 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:01:31 +0100 StuartB
However they use a lot of concrete. But, maybe you can justify using this amount of concrete if the building saves so much more Co2 over it's lifetime because of it's efficiency? Over the longer term this may be more beneficial.

http://www.erdhaus.ch/main.php?fla=y&lang=en&cont=earthhouse]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2366 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2366 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:06:05 +0100 tony
When I learnt to count it went 1, 2, 3 , 4 ,5 etc

Is it wasteful of time energy and paper to have a surpurfluous nought at the beginning?

The date used to be 6/4/87 now we have 06/04/08

WHY ALL THE O's ????]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2347 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2347 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:32:44 +0100 mrswhitecat
Forgive me if I’m wrong but I thought all ruminants had this farting problem (and I know that gorillas and pandas are quite windy too owing to their diet)? Is there a reason (other than world population size) that cows are singled out for extermination? Aren’t sheep, goats, bison, buffalo, wildebeest, yaks, alpacas, llamas, camels, giraffes, deer and antelope part of the problem too?

I have very fond memories of watching the ladies head for the milking parlour on a summer’s evening. It was my cue to head back home too. Has anyone tried to milk a marsupial I wonder? And what do you think about Kangaroo Cheddar?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2313 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2313 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 22:31:22 +0100 liberteeen https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1978 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1978 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:20:26 +0100 mrswhitecat
We are in the thrall of a cat. Since Friday he's not eating Whiskas beef flavour (this week - 2 weeks ago he wouldn't touch rabbit). For want of a hedgepig (I've seen less road kill this year so I think their numbers are down) I gave the cat's rejected supper to the tadpoles. I've been offering a vegetarian option (lettuce) for 2 weeks but it was something like a shark feeding frenzy when they got their mouth parts round the Whiskas. They evidently enjoy it.

Question : is this a good idea? I'm not worried about them turning into cats rather than frogs or anything (and I can see that every scrap is eaten up so it doesn't pollute the water) - but is it likely to make them diabetic or give them kidney failure (or whatever). I need all the allies I can get against the slugs.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2180 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2180 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:40:53 +0100 ludite
Wood chip wall paper. Is it 'in'. . . 'out'. . . . .greener than other wall papers, or not so green? Any way to bring it up to date?

Toilets. . . . . is floor mounted and exposed cistern better, or should I opt for a wall mounted version with the cistern hidden in the wall?

Lino. . . . . Kids have just drawn all over the brand new lino on our bathroom floor with wax crayon. . . . .before I attack it with a green scrubby and some cif, is there anything more eco and easier I can use to remove the artists work?


Oh, Yes, and as an extra aside. The latest cover of Living etc shows yet another all white interior. . . . . welcome views on, if this is a) child friendly b) realistic in a busy household - with a wood burning stove?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2238 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2238 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:58:39 +0100 mrswhitecat https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2160 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2160 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:20:38 +0100 helen@carms I know this is the place we can be unashamedly green (well for me greenish as am a little pants at it all), and I also know that eveyone here is more green than me, but I found this website which helps you lobby about clothes, and large supermarkets etc. It is called www.thenag.net. I have started a nag about hotels. Cheifly about overheating and plastic wrapping.

Now to composting.
I am a newbie gardener, and have a compost bin, which I don't think it works too well. I am thinking of getting a food digester which can take all the waste food in the house . Anyone have any advice on a good (total food) composter? I am looking at green cones and Green Johanna,( which for some bizarre reason makes me think of goats and cheese, and The Grandfather.). But then I get distracted by wormeries. OH am confused!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2193 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2193 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:54:25 +0100 Alwantstobegreen
We lived in Sweden is the 1980s, in a house only some 10 years old at the time, and there they had an entirely different approach to double glaze. The window simply had a double casement, each single glazed, but one which opened outwards and one that opened inwards. It worked a treat. We were never cold (even at -25C outside) and the windows rarely fogged up – and even if they did, it was a simple matter to open the inner pane and wipe the glass. The rubber insulation round the windows was also of better quality than I’ve ever seen over here in the UK.

These days sealed units are much more common in Scandinavia but two weeks ago we stayed in a brand new hotel in Norway, which has a similar solution to double glaze to our house in Sweden. Only this time the window opened outwards only and with the inner and outer casement being hinged together.

We are thinking this would make a much better long term alternative to our sealed units here. Does anyone know of a supplier in the UK?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2112 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2112 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:37:56 +0100 jules
My theory is that I should aim for as slow a burn as possible, presumably by restricting air supply. The idea is that this would minimise the amount of carbon that disappears as CO2, and maximise the amount of ash/charred wood remaining, which would presumably be good for the garden or compost heap (which is probably too nitrogen-rich anyway). Am I right? We normally discuss maximising the efficiency of combustion here, but I guess I'm after the opposite, if my theory is correct.

Incidentally, with the right wind direction the smoke will be blowing over open fields.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1990 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1990 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:16:06 +0100 Katymac
I want some more - but where do I get them from?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2071 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2071 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:08:38 +0100 Mike George
It drives me mad that my other half washes every piece of recycling before sending it off on its merry way [in some cases all the way to China but that's another thread!]

Now me, if I have a bottle of beer or wine then it goes straight in the recycling tub, dregs and all, as I think using hot water to wash them is a waste of precious energy and arguably water.

The other side of the argument is the hygiene one, but then we don't wash our unrecyclable waste do we? why should we wash plastic and glass bottles?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1999 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1999 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:15:49 +0100 ludite
I'm sick of the dustbin men refusing to take our bins because grandma forgot that plastic bags go in the green bin and not the blue one. . . .or whatever. . . . .

I'm sick of the fact we put 'supposed recyclables' all mixed up together in the blue bin. They'll take a plastic bottle, but they won't take a yoghurt pot. They'll take a baked bean tin, but not a length of rusty cast iron drain pipe. . . . . .

We've already touched on the concept that our present landfill sites may well end up our resource of the future - all that recyclable plastic just lying there waiting to be reused. . . . . .

So, my question is. . . . . . if you had enough land, what rubbish of the present could you chuck in and cover over, ready to harvest when we run out of fossil fuels??]]>