Make Your Restoration Green

Improve Insulation
More Eco Improvements

Installing energy-saving measures in a development won't just help preserve the planet, buyers and tenants will appreciate a green home, too. Plus going eco may boost the resale value. Here's how to get it right.

Green Test Your Development

Before you start installing a wind turbine, the Energy Saving Trust (EST) provides a useful online tool that will show up your development's eco weaknesses. Armed with this information you can then find out if you're able to get special funding for your eco-project using EST's grant finder tool.

Getting Financial Help

Also check with your local authority as it may provide grants for certain energy efficiency measures.

The DTI's Low Carbon Buildings Programme can help with funding, too. You must insulate the loft and cavity walls and install heating controls and thermostats. Then you're eligible for up to £2,500 on solar panels and wind turbines.

Check The Insulation

Some 66% of home heat is lost through a poorly-insulated roof - so check there's between 150mm to 200mm of insulation in the loft. You can pick up Rockwool insulation cheaply from any DIY outlet but more sustainable alternatives include sheep's wool (Thermafleece), flax and hemp (Flax 100), recycled newspaper (Ecocel), and wood fibre (Thermowall).

The advantage of using natural materials is that they are allergen-free, energy-efficient, and can be safely handled. But this comes at a price, currently around four times more expensive than conventional materials.

Use Insulation Installers to find an insulation expert.

Cavity Wall Insulation

Around a third of a property's heat is lost through poorly-insulated walls. Filling the cavity (or space) between the outer and inner wall makes a difference. The EST says insulation costs around £500 for a three-bedroom semi and will pay for itself in four years, saving some 800kg of CO2 emissions.

Again, you can choose eco-friendly alternatives including cork board, sheep's wool, cellulose and straw. Find a registered installer at the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency.