Frequently asked questions
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Ecobuilding General
What is the cheapest way of improving the environmental performance of my home?
Initially you want to aim to minimise the amount of energy your house uses and so lesseneing the amount of CO2 produced.
Your first step is to check how well insulated the house is. You should aim for around 250 mm of high quality insulation in the loft. If you plan to use the loft for storage then you will need to put in some spacer battens and flooring so as to avoid compressing the insulation. Don't forget to insulate the loft access hatch, all pipes and tanks. If you have a cavity wall then get it filled with a high quality insulation. It may be possible to insulate the ground floor and this should be investigated.
Check all doors and windows to make sure they are draft free.
If you are installing a new boiler then try to buy the most efficient model you can afford also consider including solar panels to pre heat the water. If this is outside your budget it may well be worth including pipe work for later solar installation.
If you already have a boiler then make sure it is serviced. This should keep it running at peak performance. A good boiler thermostat will pay for itself and think about thermostatic radiator valves in some areas, such as bedrooms.
If you are installing a new boiler then
Avoid using electricity to power a heating system.
When buying “White Goods” such as fridges, freezers, washing machines, check that they are A rated. this means they are very efficient and in the case of washing machines use less water than other models.
Good quality low energy light bulbs are one of the best investments you can make, they use a lot less power and last far far longer.
Simply remembering to turn off Computers, TVs, videos etc. rather than leaving them on stand by, when not in use will substantially cut energy use.
Minimise water use. Buy low flush toilet cisterns. Low water use taps and showers can be purchased. Add water butts that can be filled from gutter down pipes for watering the garden or cleaning the car if you have one.
All of these are relatively low cost and will pay for themselves. If you want to go further then check out books such as Eco-Renovation by Edward Harland.
It is worth checking with the local authority and utility suppliers to see what grants are available to improve the efficiency of your home.
To find specialist AECB members offering insulation materials, innovative woodburning appliances, photovoltaic and solar systems, try keyword searches for your region.
See also10 pointers to more sustainable buildingsfor more information.
Are eco-building products more expensive than the regular products from builders merchants?
This is a tricky question to answer, and of course there is always the added dimension that many conventional products are, in effect, not paying their way — what you pay does not cover the cost of their impact on the environment.
Eco products can cost more, but sometimes their inherent qualities can be harnessed to keep costs down. More thermally efficient components for example, will in the long run save energy and money. Similarly with low water use appliances. Another example might be solid timber floorboards, finished with oils and waxes, instead of chipboard floors finished with good quality conventional carpets.
The key is often thinking things through at an early stage in a project, and also being able to offset higher capital expenditure against lower operating costs
Environment / Health
What type of wood preservative is the safest
and most acceptable to use?
Generally we suggest that you try to avoid all wood preservatives, particularly for internal timbers. At least, in line with established industry good practice, clearly establish a “need to treat”. Routine treatment, without first establishing a“need to treat” should never be acceptable. Where you do need to treat, then we suggest that a formulation based on inorganic Boron compounds be used. Boron is very effective against wood rot (wet and Dry rot) and woodboring beetle.
Where can I get safer wood preservatives?
Boron based timber preservatives are mainly available in three forms: dry powder for mixing with water, premixed aqueous solutions, and formulations with glycol carrier. A number of our members who are specialist merchants of environmentally sensitive building products offer Boron based timber preservatives. Try a search of our membership database for your region (or the whole of the UK for mail order) for “merchants ”,“shop ”
Where can I go to see real eco-buildings?
This website features the work of some of our membership, all of whom have signed up to the AECB Charter.
To visit buildings,The Centre for Alternative Technology(Tel 01654 702400) would be a good start. They have been building “alternative ” and eco-buildings for over twenty years and are open to the public all year round. They also have probably the best bookstore in the country on the subject and you can see exactly how ecobuildings are built, powered and used.
NATTAthe Network for Alternative Technology and Technology Assessment (Tel 01908 654638) produce a list of energy efficient buildings in London .
Where can I get eco-paints in the UK?
Eco-paints are available from various outlets as well as mail order from a number of companies. Most manufacturers use all or predominantly “natural ” materials which are derived from plant and mineral ingredients. These generally take far less processing than synthetic petrochemical ingredients, and produce little or no waste by-products. Some manufacturers of synthetic paints have reduced or even eliminated “volatile organic compounds”
(VOCs), and where synthetic paints are used, these would be generally preferable. To find AECB merchant members offering paints (or a decorating service using these paints), keyword search your region (or the whole of the UK for mail order) for “merchant”,“shop” or“paint”.
Lime washes can also be used as an alternative — to find merchants of lime products, keyword search for “lime” (you will also obtain search results for lime plasters etc)
My building society insists that I carry out damp proofing to the walls of the house that I wish to buy is there any risks associated with this?
The biggest problem with injected damp proof courses is that the system generally uses VOCs (volatile organic compounds). There is a lot of controversy over whether there is any real benefit from the process, or even whether much of the apparent “rising damp ” actually originates from other sources such as condensation. At least one building society, AECB member, theEcology(Tel 0845 674 5566) usually does not require a dpc to be installed. You could try challenging the requirement. Certainly it is worth investigating the causes of damp and rectifying these. Perhaps you could come to an arrangement with your Building Society whereby if the damp problem is still apparent after 1 year following the remedial work (guttering repairs lowering of sill levels etc). then you will carry out the work.
Some systems are available which avoid or reduce the use of VOCs (eg. physical barrier methods, injection mortars), so ask your contractor if they can use these, or look around for an alternative contractor. To check whether there is an AECB member in your area who may be able to help, we suggest a keyword search in your area for the following:“builder”,“damp”,“remedial”.
My building society insists that I carry out woodworm/rot treatment in the house that I wish to buy, is there any risks associated with the application?
There are potential risks associated with ad lib woodworm eradication in your home. The most common chemical in use at the present time is Permethrin which is a known endocrine disruptor, and suspected carcinogen. Insist on a further survey or look for a firm that will carry out only spot treatment and guarantee the rermainder against infection. Try to find a company that can carry out the work using inorganic Boron compounds or consider a survey from an environment investigation agency that can suggest a non-treatment strategy which may satisfy your mortgagee. For more on Boron see “What type of wood preservative is the safest and most acceptable to use?” above.
For environmental investigators try an AECB members search for keyword “investigations ”,“solutions ” or “property care ”, or alternatively try asking your builder, if they are an AECB member, whether they can give advice.
Hypersensitivity / Allergies
Are there chemicals used in building products that can cause allergies and hypersensitivity?
Allergies and hypersensitivity are thought to be caused by the overload of synthetic chemicals to which our bodies are now exposed. Some synthetic and natural chemicals are more prone to produce allergic reactions than others, and of course we are all individuals, and how we react to these varies. It is thought that the wider range of chemicals we are exposed to the more challenges our immune systems have to respond to, and for some this will mean going into an allergic reaction. Once our bodies are overloaded, and reacting allergically to some chemicals, this is likely to increase the likelihood of wider reactions. Some individuals can become so hypersensitive that they react allergically to almost everything. You can reduce the potential of your home to exacerbate the symptoms by reducing synthetic chemical use and by using only natural fabrics and furnishings. Many suitable products will be available from AECB members who are specialist merchants or shops for environmentally sensitive building products — keyword search for “merchant”, “shop”, or “supplier”,“healthy”. The following company (not an AECB member) sells a wide range of products specifically for hypersensitive people (these may not always be synonymous with the most environmentally benign product):
The Healthy House
e-mailinfo@healthy-house.co.ukTel 01453 752216
What is 'SickBuildingSyndrome' and how can I avoid my home and family suffering from it?
Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a term attributed to a building that contains an overabundance of generally synthetic chemicals. These chemicals may be off-gassing or dusting from any number of sources: carpets, furniture woodwork, appliances, paints cleaning agents etc.
SBS can be avoided or reduced at the planning stage by reducing the use of materials likely to off-gas and/or incorporation of more naturally derived materials.
SBS in existing buildings can be reduced by removing suspect furniture or components and ventilating the building at higher levels than normally would be expected until the air has cleared. SBS is more common in buildings which use mechanical ventilation, especially where air is reticulated rather than refreshed. Ventilation systems can also harbour bacteria and or viruses that may cause cold or flu like symptoms.
There is also growing concern about the influence of moulds within buildings on our health. Moulds within buildings are thought to contribute to a whole raft of health problems, including asthma, allergies and related conditions. It is suggested that construction methods that do not allow a degree of water vapour transmission may be more conducive to mould growth, with consequent health problems.
The London Hazards Centre
e-mailmail@lhc.org.ukTel 020 7794 5999
can advise on SBS in the workplace and how to cure it.
Also the
Pesticides Action Network
e-mailadmin@pan-uk.orgTel 020 7274 6611
may be able to give advice about curing SBS in the home
I am hypersensitive - will eco-paints be OK to use because I understand that they still give off a smell?
The best advice is to ask for a sample in advance of placing an order for your full requirements. Most specialist suppliers of “natural paints” will be happy to oblige and advise on your particular problem. Many manufacturers also have a policy of “full disclosure of ingredients”, which means that you may be able to identify if there are any particular ingredients which may cause you problems. Generally though these would be a better choice than conventional paints.
My landlord wishes to carry out woodworm/rot/damp proof remediation. What can I do to ensure that he doesn't use products that may harm my family?
You could contact your local environmental health department at your local council to seek their advice. Also ask your landlord to ensure that only the affected areas are to be treated. Your landlord may also be obliged to arrange alternative accommodation whilst the treatment is being carried out and for a reasonable non-return time. You could also ask that only boron based treatments be used if all else fails.
What is formaldehyde and how do I know whether products that I buy has this chemical in them or not?
Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring chemical which has been synthesized for use in a wide range of products. Its most common uses are as adhesives for wood and as a fire regardant in furnishings. Formaldehyde is known to outgas from furnishings and composite timber products such as chipboard and MDF. If the building in which the formaldehyde containing products is not adequately ventilated then this gas will become part of the cocktail of gasses commonly refered to as Sick Building Syndrome.
Chipboards and MDF are now becoming available as formaldehyde free (European E1 grade) but only on volume orders at present in the UK . You should, however, be able to fairly easily source some items such as flooring with HDF (E1 grade) instead of MDF backing. Alternative sheet materials with much lower formaldehyde content could be Birch plywood, HDF (high density fibreboard) and Sterling board.
Planning
There are builders starting work nearby and I am worried about a badger sett and or other wildlife what can I do to help ensure that no harm comes to them?
Firstly contact your local council. Work near badger setts can only be carried out under licence therefore this needs checking first. You could also contact your local wildlife trust.
To find them look at The Wildlife Trusts Web siteThis site has contact details of all the UK Wildlife Trusts.
Also consider approaching the builder on a friendly basis and express your concerns, they may be unaware of the wildlife value and indeed may be willing to cordon off particular areas from machinery or workmen. It is in the builders interest to remain friendly with the local community though sadly not all builders recognise this.
I want to build an eco-home but I think that the planners will not be sympathetic to the design I have in mind. I don't want to build it like all the other box like house around. What can I do?
This is a common problem all over the UK where conventional building techniques have fast become the norm and red brick is the new vernacular style. In reality the only sites upon which you should have problems with design style is in conservation areas or National Parks. Outside these areas you will find (providing the site is designated for building) that persistence and logical argument will eventually win over even if it means going to appeal. Sadly, the planning system in the UK is highly bureaucratic however some regions do have a very flexible planning department, proving that it is possible to be more user friendly than is normal. However for the speediest and simplest conclusion, compromise is probably the order of the day. If you do try to find common ground in the design and consider carefully the officer's most glaring dislikes, s/he may well warm to your proposal dramatically.
Do also consider, though, that some of the most environment-friendly and thermally efficient homes in the UK are quite conventional in appearance. Windmills and turf roofs do not of themselves make an eco-home. High standards of thermal insulation and airtightness probably do.
I own a small woodland and I would like to build a low impact dwelling on it. Will I be able to get permission?
Probably not, unless it is of a size large enough to benefit from management and be of a type (ie. neglected ancient or semi ancient deciduous woodland) that could benefit from low scale craft extraction and management. Even then any permission gained would probably only be temporary. There have been a number of cases in the past few years that have attained permission such grounds. We suggest that you contact
The Land is Ourswho are campaigning for more low impact development in the UK .
Timber
I want to build some furniture but I am not sure what timber to use. My local supplier tells me that all his timber comes from sustainable sources but I'm not so sure. Can you give me some advice?
It depends on what timber you intend to use. Where possible you should try to use locally grown timber. There may be a small operation with a sawmill near you. They may well have access to interesting timbers that would produce beautiful and unusual furniture.
If you use a timber merchant then try to avoid any tropical hardwoods. If however you do need to buy hardwoods then it is very important that you can be certain that they come from sustainable sources. The best way to do this is to only use wood that is certified FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) this the most thorough certification system currently available.
For an up to date list of accredited supplies in the UK why not contact -
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)fsc-uk@fsc-uk.demon.co.uk Tel 01686 413916
If they can't supply this then contact -
Soil Associatione-mail info@soilassociation.org Tel 0117 929 0661
