Over the years I’ve been upgrading 48 Rousham Road to be more and more environmentally friendly.Isn’t it unfair that many landlords won’t pay for energy-saving features because they don’t have to play the bills? This isn’t the case at 48 Rousham Road, the bills are included in your rent so I have a vested interest in making it as energy-efficient as possible. That’s not the only reason I do it of course – I’m committed to living in an environmentally sustainable way and I hope my tenants will do the same.
Here’s some of the features I’ve had added:
- Energy-saving double-glazing throughout
- 100% renewable electricity and gas supplied by Good Energy (rated as greener than most suppliers ‘green tariff’)
- Cycle parking / storage – the large basement is weather-proof and secure, an ideal place to keep your bike and cycling stuff. It’s an easy cycle ride into town or to UWE or major employers (like Abbey Wood, HP, Sun Life). When I need to visit Rousham Road I almost always cycle there rather than driving.
- Low energy lighting
- Low VOC (‘breathe-easy’) paints used in all rooms (far less toxic and environmentally-damaging chemicals)
- Modern energy-efficient gas boiler
- Highly insulated hot water tank
- Deep insulation in the loft
- Draft-proofing
- Tried to get cavity wall insulation – but after some measuring the insulation company told me that the house doesn’t have cavity walls!
- Thermostatic radiator valves, room thermostat and water thermostat (lets you control the temperature so the boiler is only running when you want it to)
- Ceiling-level extractor fan above shower cubicle (saves heating because there’s no need to open the window in winter to clear the steam)
- Bath replaced by shower (saves water)
Other things I’m planning include this year (2010):
- Some internal cladding, to make the walls better insulated in key areas
- Controlled ventilation in the kitchen (further reducing the need to open windows when it’s cold outside)
- Extra cycle locking point at the front of the house