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Building and design
Building standards in several European countries (Norway, Sweden, Germany and Austria for example) are far tougher in terms of the insulation standards required. Building regulations for insulation and draught proofing in the UK are improving but not as much as they should. In addition, standard installations are rarely checked so builders may compromise on energy efficiency standards. The UK also have a massive housing stock of older houses, particularly Victorian and Edwardian terraces, without cavity walls, making insulation more difficult.
Improving amberlinks
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Useful links
The Yellow House Practical principles of eco-design
Sustainable build Ideas for sustainable construction
Ecovation A practical website sharing experiences for people seeking to make their homes more ecofriendly
CAT Training courses for low carbon construction
Green mortgages Loans for energy efficient upgrades for homes
Alan Simpson Ecohouse Introduction to the conversion of an ecohouse in Nottingham
Green Building Bible Two practical books
CABE A briefing paper on ‘Sustainable design, climate change and the built environment’
Your information tips and comments
I live in a house built in the 1920's just when they were starting to introduce cavity walls in the UK. I wasn't sure if mine had solid or cavity walls as it was hidden at loft level, but thought the diagrams on the following webpage could be helpful for some people in similar situations
www.government-grants.co.uk/cavity-wall-loft-insulation-grants.shtml
Co-op Bank is running a loan scheme for people wanting to make their homes more energy efficient but needing capital to do the initial work. The link is www.co-operativebank.co.uk/servlet/Satellite/1193206369239,CFSweb/Page/Bank-Mortgages