Creating Greener Homes

The 'Superhomes' initiative is a nation-wide project designed to encourage householders to install energy-saving measures and to take steps to minimise the carbon footprint of their homes by making them more eco friendly and sustainable.

As well as helping the environment, the instant gains that home owners can anticipate include a reduction in energy bills and improved levels of comfort.

In September each year a number of home owners who have taken steps to improve their homes in this way invite visitors to view the changes and discuss their practical benefits.

Visitors can expect to come away with plenty of ideas for greening their own properties, including home improvements that could well be eligible for financial grants.

Most owners of 'SuperHomes' have covered the basics, with superior insulation and draft proofing, and many have alternative heating sources; some produce their own energy.

Rural and urban/attached-detached/Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Post-war properties are amongst those open to the public at various locations in September.

Colin White, an Aylesbury resident, is throwing open his home to visitors from Thursday 7th — Sunday 10th September, inclusive, so that he can explain and demonstrate the changes he has made to his home in Ringstead Way (HP21 7ND) to reduce his carbon footprint and reduce his energy costs.

You can book a visit to Colin's home by clicking here.

If you can't make one of these dates, or feel disinclined to visit in person, you can get some ideas by viewing a short video produced by the editor of Haddenham.net a few years ago — see here.

There is also a good article from the Telegraph newspaper here.