At Market Royale ‘www.marketroyale.co.uk’ we sell Environmentally Friendly Super-Soft Bamboo Towels, Bathrobes and Bathmats. We believe in making it easier for people to become more environmentally friendly, not by telling them, but by offering a competitive and better alternative where no compromise is required. We believe in sharing our learnings so everyone can benefit. Making people aware is the first step to making a change. We believe in supporting others who want to deliver a healthier planet and better working conditions, from the bank we use, to the people who make our products. Help Us Help You.

Market Royale is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

First published on the YouGen blog

Just as all buyers should receive an EPC (energy performance certificate), all sellers have to show one to people thinking of buying their home, and this usually means having to pay for it yourself.  If your home already has an EPC, there is no legal requirement to replace it, so long as it is less than 10 years old.

There are lots of reasons why you might want to pay for a new one – if you think it’s too old, or if you know you’ve improved your home since you bought it, or if you don’t think it is accurate. This isn’t compulsory, but if you feel that you should not misrepresent your home when selling it, then bearing in mind how inexpensive they are you may want to consider having the EPC updated.

If you are buying an EPC, take care that you get what you pay for, and also get good value. The EPC provided by your estate agent may appear quite expensive, and there are offers online that at first sight are much cheaper (with prices quoted as low as £30). Unfortunately, in all walks of life there are some rogue traders, and EPC provision is no different.

Some online providers take the client’s money and don’t provide the promised EPC; or if they do provide it, it’s at the expense of the Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA), who doesn’t receive payment for the work done. Better not to take the risk, and to deal direct with a local provider. There is some guidance on avoiding the rogue traders on my website.

Next, how about the EPC’s accuracy? If you were present during the inspection you will know how long the DEA spent doing the assessment: did s/he look carefully at the building construction and insulation, lift the loft hatch and check the state of the loft insulation, and properly inspect the heating and hot water system?  A full inspection takes time, at least 30 to 45 minutes, and much longer for a large or complex home.

All DEAs are monitored (a sample of each DEA’s work is checked every year) but this doesn’t mean that all faulty EPCs will be picked up, and some DEAs are tempted to cut corners to save time, which can mean an inaccurate EPC.

The more clients who challenge them, the less work there will be for the few DEAs that don’t do a thorough job.

About the author: @linniR is an Energy Expert on YouGen. @linniR is also a consultant, a freelance writer and a Domestic Energy Assessor accredited with the NHERscheme, and she enjoys all three.  She tweets regularly on issues relating to energy efficiency and renewables and provides consultancy, especially in relation to training needs.

First published on the YouGen blog

YouGen is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

As the weather turns colder and the nights draw in warmer colours are dominating design schemes but in a new streamlined way. Take a clutter free approach with simple lines and pulled back curtains or blinds allowing as much light to flood in, thus reducing the amount of electric light needed.

Bring in the feel of nature with beautiful wood grain- FSC of course! -  and chalky paint, then add the strong colours and textures of warm fabrics and soft furnishings, rugs and cushions for a cosy autumn feel.

For inspiration check out some of the Gecco Interiors range:

Gecco Interiors Limited is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

There is strong evidence that homes with solar PV systems have sold for a premium over comparable homes without solar PV. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley found that a 3.1kW PV system added an average premium of $17,000 (just over £10,000) to house prices.

A study done in San Diego in 2010 also found similar results.

As far as I can see, no similar study has been done in the UK. However, this research gives early adopters optimism, that they may be able to more or less recoup their investment if they sell their home only a short time after installing solar panels.

My view is, that for this to happen we still need greater understanding about renewable energy and its benefits among the general population. Estate agents have a role to play in this, and anecdotal evidence indicates that they unless they improve their understanding of solar PV and other renewable technologies, they won’t promote them to potential buyers.

There’s plenty of people out there giving advice on how to make your house more saleable – but mostly it’s about (often quite superficial) visual aspects. How about a campaign to increase the understanding of a house’s energy performance certificate and what it means for the comfort of a house, and the expense of heating it.

About the Author: Cathy Debenham, Founder of YouGen

First published on YouGen blog. For more information on renewable energy visit the YouGen website.

YouGen is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

This blog was first posted on YouGen

Are they really worth it?

Like a lot of things in improving energy efficiency, radiator reflectors can devolve into a complex argument. For example, radiators are not actually radiators. They are also convectors and conductors. And radiator reflectors only deal with the radiant heat.

A single panel radiator will have 50% of the surface area facing the wall. Fins on the back of the radiator will increase heating surface area but also increase the convection effect. Double rads will have only 25% of their surface facing the wall and double finned, double radiators will have the lowest radiated heat emission and highest convection emission.

Complicated isn’t it?

To try and un-complicate the question, we have first to ask two other questions :

1. Is the house, and specifically the walls, well insulated? That is, really well insulated – 100mm plus thickness? If so, there is no benefit from reflectors as the heat is barely escaping through the walls anyway.

2. Are they older, single panel radiators or more modern radiators with fins on the back? If they are older type then reflectors will have a good impact. But they will have a smaller impact on finned radiators.

That is not to say that they should not be installed if you have modern radiators. In terms of saving energy every little helps and reflectors are relatively cheap and easy to install.

Which radiator reflectors to install?

There are plenty of different types out there but the ones with a saw-tooth like surface are the best as they encourage convection and improve the warm air movement around the room.

If you have a poorly insulated wall I would suggest first gluing the reflector to a thin sheet of insulation (Kingspan, Celotex or similar) and fixing that (with glue) to the wall behind the radiator.

First posted on YouGen

About the author: Tim Pullen is eco-editor for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine, author of Simply Sustainable Homes and founder of sustainable property consultancy WeatherWorks.

YouGen is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Facilitated by Schumacher College, Devon, UK

Course is taking place at Sharpham House, Ashprington, Devon, UK

Cost: £1550.00 all inclusive

“Imagine a home that heats itself, provides its own water, and grows its own food… It needs no expensive technology, recycles its own waste, and has its own power source. And it can be built anywhere, by anyone, out of the things that society throws away.” The words of US architect Michael Reynolds (star of the film Garbage Warrior) sum up the unique features of earthship homes. They are constructed out of natural and recycled materials such as earth-filled tyres, reclaimed timber, and used cans and bottles, and the passive solar design (glass on the south-facing side, thick walls with high thermal mass) means that no extra heating or air-conditioning is required. Water is collected, used and reclaimed using plants and filtration.

On this course, participants will work on the construction of a small earthship structure – a greenhouse – enabling them to learn the theory and experience the practice of most parts of the construction process. Each day will involve the equivalent of about an hour of theoretical input on various aspects of earthship construction, with the remainder of the morning and the afternoon devoted to the actual building tasks. The timetable will be somewhat weather-dependent – on very wet days there will be more talking and discussion, in fine weather more time outside.

For more information or to book a place please go to our website: http://www.schumachercollege.org.uk/courses/green-design-in-practice-building-an-earthship

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

It can be very difficult to style your home and remain ecologically and ethically sound. The difficulty is in knowing where to start, where to get ecological and ethical home products and how to use them. However, it is worth doing; not only will your conscience remain clear but you may end up with a superior aesthetic.

Through eco styling we will be able to address the balance between the three aspects that make up the essential elements of any Eco Chic space: Technology, Nature and Vintage. Where there is a deficiency of one in an area you can look to boost that with smaller styling touches.

By using technologically advanced materials such as paints we give space and clean lines to a room – this will keep it feeling light and spacious.

By using nature we offer a ground quality to the space that helps us re-connect to nature on a wider scale, allowing us to be soothed by natural materials and marvel at the calming beauty and inspirational quality of nature’s designs.

By using older vintage pieces we borrow from their sense of history, glamour and status. The trend for using vintage chandeliers for instance, lends a space a feeling of opulence and grandeur, but located in the right space (such as one filled with natural materials) it will add a richness that takes that message further, without seeming flashy or vulgar.

The accessories around your home don’t need to be highly functional; they are about making your home reflect who you are. They are about expressing your sense of taste and current style, your past histories and experiences, your dreams and aspirations. So choose carefully and make them work for you and your home.

If you are buying goods that are made in your own country there is a chance that labour costs won’t replicate those found in developing nations where people power is still dominant.  So we must respect and support the creative industries of designer/makers who add richness and style to our culture. If it was a member of your own family making those products, you would expect them to be paid a fair wage for what they made. By buying from local makers we are also encouraging manufacture closer to home

Sometimes in order to ensure that products have a minimal environmental impact greater care and attention will have to be paid to them. This time and care inevitably can cost, but why should the environment have to bear the cost of the products we bring into the home?

The key questions any eco-designer needs to ask themselves when choosing materials and products are:

• How was it made and with what materials sustainable or recycled?
• Where was it made and by who, has it had to travel far?
• How will I use it – is it energy efficient, and durable, multi functional?
• Where will it go once I’ve finished with it, and is it biodegradable or recyclable?

Ask yourself these questions you’ll be on the right track. If it still all seems a bit much, consider hiring an eco interior designer with sustainable building credentials.

If however, you prefer to do it yourself, a great place to start your new Eco-Chic interior is with UK made, hand screen-printed with water based inks, high grade wallpaper made from cellulose fibres from sustainably sourced trees.

To claim a 10% discount on any wallpaper at www.ecocentric.co.uk, quote voucher code 10WALLPAPER at checkout.

EcoCentric is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Fairtrade fortnight starts on 22nd February, just as Fairwind launches a new range of stunning contemporary home accessories.

Not only are these homewares fairly traded but, as they are made from recycled aluminium, they are eco-friendly too. The production of recycled aluminium uses only 5% of the energy needed to make new aluminium.

Aluminium tea light holders, £12.50
These fair trade aluminium tea light holders are perfect as house warming gifts, ethical wedding gifts or Mother’s day gifts. They are made from recycled aluminium and then enamelled in a choice of 3 deep colours; red, orange or chocolate. 12cm x 12cm x 9cm.

Multicoloured aluminium salad set, £49
This stunning salad set is made from recycled aluminium that has been enamelled with deep red, orange and chocolate colours. This set is wonderful as a wedding gift or house warming gift. The bowl can also be used as a fruit bowl or decorative accessory for any room in the house. Salad bowl: 31cm x 31cm x 6cm (£35), salad servers: 30cm x 8cm (£16). Safe for food use.

Aluminium oval bowls, £12 or £18
A house warming gift, ethical wedding gift or Mother’s day gift; these fair trade aluminium bowls are perfect for any gift occasion. They are made from recycled aluminium and then enamelled in a choice of 3 deep colours; red, orange or chocolate. They are also available in 2 sizes. Large: 23cm x 19cm x 8cm, small: 15cm x 12.5cm x 5cm. Safe for food use.

Fairwind is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

There is a great deal of talk about ‘greening’ your home on the outside to reduce energy costs and heat loss (and rightly so) but what about the inside of the property? Can we improve the carbon footprint environmental friendliness of our home interiors?

There are various factors to consider when looking at our home décor: the carbon footprint of each individual item in a room, such as the sofa manufacture, or the chemical content of the paint on the walls; the sustainability of the resources used for each product; and the health issues surrounding the products for your family e.g. off-gassing of paints and varnishes or MDF boards?  Let’s face it, unless we were lucky enough to start from scratch within the last few years, we all have houses that are pretty toxic and not very eco-friendly.

So how do you go about ‘greening’ the interior or your property? First of all, let me say what you shouldn’t do – do not jump in with both feet and scrap everything you possess in order to replace it with a ‘greener’ version. Our resources are scarce and the landfill sites are full. Take it one room at a time and take stock of what you have. Can some of the items be revamped and used in the new room scheme? Can they be passed on to a friend or needy student setting up their first home? Your local freecycle group will be grateful for pretty much any item – there is always somebody who can make use of something you no longer need.

Greening your rooms: Step by Step

Now that we have that straight, here is what to do next. Take it a room at a time and think carefully about the following aspects of the room:

• Lighting - Can the wattage of the lights in use be reduced? Do you need to introduce new light fittings with greater efficiency? How about building in some new technology such as timers, dimmers or sensor switches. LED designs are improving all the time and can look stunning in any room scheme.

• Flooring – Don’t scrap the old carpet if it still works for the room scheme you want. If it doesn’t work or is too worn, then look at the many different options out there such as bare or naturally stained/painted floorboards with rugs made of sustainable materials like wool, felt or sisal. The new style cork flooring or revamped rubber flooring or Marmoleum can look great in the right room and there are several companies out there launching 100% broadloom wool carpets that have been left undyed. Check out your local carpet retailer for more information.

• Wallcoverings - this aspect is becoming much easier with the growth of the natural paint market. Beware of some paint suppliers claiming to be ‘green’ because of low VOC content – they should have ‘0′ VOC content and if they don’t there are many out there who do! Wallpapers are now being produced using paper from managed forests and non toxic dyes and we have even discovered gorgeous ceramic tiles with 30-40% recycled content!

• Window Dressing - A great tip from Oliver Heath in his Urban Eco Chic book, is to try to bring as much light into a room as possible to reduce the amount of time we are reliant on electric lighting. Painting the window frame and sill white can help reflect light into the room as well as designing curtains or blinds that sit back from the windows and do not cover too much of the glass. Gecco Interiors carries a wide range of organic and sustainable fabrics and can make any of them into curtains or blinds with organic bamboo linen lining.

• Furniture - Finally, take a good look at your furniture. Can any of it work in the new scheme? Could a beloved chair of sofa be re-covered in a new organic upholstery fabric? Look at repainting a bookshelf or coffee table to give it a fresh look. Many second hand shops carry sets of stylish dining chairs which can look fabulous with a new seat cushion. Eco Style means that it does not have to match and it is often much more fun to have a collection of stylish yet slightly mismatched pieces in one room rather than everything looking uniform. Have fun creating your own style! If you do decide to buy new, take the time to source furniture made in an environmentally sensitive way using timber from FSC managed forests and as locally made as possible.

• Kitchens & Bathrooms – these are the rooms that can cost the most in any house, but they are often the most wasteful when it comes to energy or water usage. We are lucky these days that companies are innovating all the time and new technology has brought about energy efficient appliances, fixtures and fittings for both of these rooms. Many leading bathroom suppliers now carry low flow taps or showers and eco bathtubs that take much less water than traditional tubs. Rubber flooring, Marmoleum and recycled ceramic tiles come into their own in these room schemes and there are now some truly stunning worktops made from recycled materials such as wine bottles or shells! (check out Glass ECO)

For any other information or tips please do not hesitate to contact me at any time and I will love helping you to solve your eco design dilemma! You can reach me at angie@geccointeriors.co.uk

Gecco Interiors, a new online environmentally friendly interiors company has launched with a full collection of products for the home. In addition to being beautifully designed in mind, each of the products sold by Gecco also helps preserve the planet.

Founders Angie and James Kraft pride themselves on sourcing products that are genuinely stylish but also environmentally friendly. Passionate about green issues and sustainability in design, they have sourced a range of home interiors products that all have green credentials.

Each item sold online has been created by entrepreneurs who have had the courage and vision to look at their industry and to try to do things differently. This may come in the form of taking timbers from derelict factories in India and turning them into beautiful pieces of furniture, a four year long research project into the use of stinging nettles in upholstery fabric, or it may even be the massive financial investment in a purpose built factory in Stoke-on-Trent, where broken ceramic pottery is crushed and turned into new ceramic bathroom tiles.The team at Gecco Interiors sources only the best products designed to appeal to stylish eco-conscious consumers.

The site is easily navigated and broken down into seven sections:

1. Furniture – beautifully handcrafted and made from reclaimed timber

2. Curtains and blinds – made to order and hand finished with exclusive soft organic bamboo lining

3. Floor coverings – made from recycled materials

4. Fabric – using leading edge, organic and sustainable textiles

5. Lighting – elegant collection of the most up-to-date energy efficient lighting

6. Wall coverings – FSC certified wallpapers with natural dyes and non-toxic paints

7. Accessories – perfect for adding the finishing touches to an eco-friendly design scheme

Visit: http://www.geccointeriors.co.uk/ or call: 01494 565459