John keeps warm and saves money with insulation

JOHN Howlett, of Sprignall, South Bretton, Peterborough, recently had loft and cavity wall insulation installed in his home.

As he was over 65, he was able to get a grant and so the insulation didn't cost him a penny.

He has taken these measure in previous properties he has lived in and has always been sure there is a benefit.

In terms of finances, this can be difficult to judge because of increasing energy prices, but he feels that as far as comfort goes, there is an instant improvement.

"It's a lot warmer and you can feel it," he said.

"You can feel the difference when you have this done, especially in the loft, where it's about nine or 10ins thick," he said.

"When the central heating goes off it stays warmer for longer."

John's insulation was installed by Aran Services.

Ian Bowers, one of the company's directors, said that insulating was an important first step to take in saving money and being green. He said the message was "energy conservation before energy generation".

He added: "It's a matter of doing the cheapest and most cost effective things first. Cavity wall insulation saves a lot more energy than solar panels will."

Pupils given a good start in learning how to be green

IF we are to teach future generations how to be green, then a good way to start is at school, and not just in terms of what is taught in the classroom, but the buildings themselves.

Newborough Primary School is certainly leading by example with a range of green measures.

Most striking of these is a "green roof" on the building, which is made of a grass-like plant called sedum.

Green roofs produce oxygen and improve air quality by helping to absorb carbon dioxide, which is thought to be a major contributor to global warming.

They retain a high percentage of rainwater resulting in a slower and more controlled water run off, which reduces the load on drainage systems.

This type of roof is also seen as a practical and cost-effective way of meeting planning requirements for buildings which blend in with the local environment.

They are less expensive than many traditional roofs, easy to maintain and provide habitat for a variety of wildlife.

As another part of the environmental measures at the new school, rainwater is harvested and collected in an underground storage reservoir and then pumped to a high-level tank to be used to flush the school toilets.

Headteacher Hilary Davis said that it was too early to get exact figures for savings in terms of the insulative properties of the roof, but she is certain that the rain water harvesting at least is saving money.

The green roof is in fact currently a shade of red and should hopefully flower in May or June.

Often green measures entail a little bit of effort and this is no exception.

Hilary said: "The green roof has to be fertilized.