DIV & PROPERTY
ask TOMMY WALSH
The veteran TV builder and fix-it expert answers questions from readers
This month
What's the most cost-effective way to bring down fuel bills?
With our bills going only one way this year, it's hardly surprising that this is one of the questions I'm most frequently asked at the moment. The answer, as always, is to reduce energy usage. It's pretty shocking that the average house in Britain leaks heat three times faster than our neighbours' houses in Europe.
I've been banging this particular eco-drum ever since 2007 when I was challenged to build an eco-friendly house for £60,000 in 60 days, with mostly standard building materials and methods, but used differently to improve energy efficiency. I learned a great deal and I later incorporated some of the ideas into my own home, such as underfloor heating, low voltage lighting, better fitting windows, and timing zones for the heating and hot water.