It seems obvious to me that with the current climate emergency, we need to stop using fossil fuels ASAP and move over to something more environmentally friendly. As heat pumps are apparently not quite up to it yet, that probably means electricity. Around 30% of our electricity generation is now from wind and other renewable sources. Hopefully, this will be scaled up fairly … [Read more...] about Why is gas heating so much cheaper than electric?
PasivHaus Council Estate in Norwich wins the Stirling Prize
I was so excited when Norwich's Goldsmith Street Estate won the Stirling Prize this week. At last a proper street for ordinary people with brilliant design and eco-credentials is given recognition. Let us hope that this is the start of more Passivhaus developments by Local Councils. They want to do it - they are just held back by central government's restrictive rules on … [Read more...] about PasivHaus Council Estate in Norwich wins the Stirling Prize
Subscribing to a circular mattress?
One of the problems with bulky items like beds and mattresses is that they are difficult to recycle. They also usually contain lots of toxic materials - probably far more than we realise. So items like mattresses for example are often abandoned (as in the picture), at the side of the road, usually ending up in landfill. Where they become a risk to human health and the … [Read more...] about Subscribing to a circular mattress?
Q-Bot – Robotic underfloor insulation
One area of heat loss is through the floor. If you have a suspended timber floor you can lose quite a bit. However, insulating this via traditional methods is disruptive and expensive. Q-bot solves this by using robots. Being fairly small you just need to lift a small part of the floorboards to give them access. SurveyBot, for example, will survey the underfloor area to … [Read more...] about Q-Bot – Robotic underfloor insulation
A better way to deal with white goods and appliances in rented properties?
Most rented properties include ‘white goods’. Washing machines, ovens, fridges, tumble dryers. They are an essential part of living today. But they can also be a hassle. Appliances break down. Tenants get annoyed. There are arguments about who is responsible and about getting replacements. Wouldn’t it be nice if that was all outsourced? White goods as a service? We have … [Read more...] about A better way to deal with white goods and appliances in rented properties?