Articles & Guides

In-depth guides on green living, energy efficiency, and practical money-saving projects

Water Conservation

Rainwater Toilet System
Water Conservation 10 min read

Rainwater Harvesting for Toilets: Nearly 5 Years & 26,000 Litres Saved

How I built a rainwater toilet system that's saved over 26,000 litres over nearly 5 years. Real costs, savings, and lessons learned.

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Humidity & Air Quality

Window pane with condensation and mould
Humidity Control 8 min read

Beat Humidity & Mould Without a Dehumidifier: The LΓΌften Method

Learn the German lΓΌften technique to reduce humidity to under 40% - completely free.

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Product Review 12 min read

Meaco ArΓͺte One Dehumidifier: One Year Review

After a year of testing and watching it rescue flood-damaged floors, here's my honest verdict.

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SwitchBot Meter Plus
Product Review 6 min read

SwitchBot Meter Plus Review: After Months of Testing

Affordable humidity monitoring with real-world testing data. App screenshots and accuracy results.

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Heating & Energy Efficiency

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Heating & Insulation 15 min read

How We Slashed Our Heating Bills: Complete Journey

From blocking letterboxes to heat curve optimization - everything we did to heat efficiently.

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Heat Curve Optimization
Heating Optimization 14 min read

Heat Curve Optimization: From Philosophy Shift to Perfect Settings

How weather compensation transformed our heating strategy. Complete guide with app screenshots and real results.

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Product Review 16 min read

Vaillant Ecotech Plus 826: Real-World Performance Review

Why we chose this boiler, complete installation costs, and detailed performance data after extensive use.

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Safety & Efficiency 10 min read

Why Warm (Not Hot) Radiators Are Safer and More Efficient

Low-temperature heating protects children from burns while maximizing condensing boiler efficiency.

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Insulation & Efficiency 12 min read

Retain Heat Before Adding Heat: Why Loft Insulation Was First

Β£598 DIY loft insulation from 50mm to 350mm. Foundation for 45.4% energy reduction. Best ROI of any efficiency upgrade.

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Electrical Safety 10 min read

DIY Loft Electrical Work: Junction Boxes Done Right

Fixing overcrowded junction boxes with maintenance-free installation above insulation for building regs compliance.

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Complete Journey 18 min read

From Β£1,166/Year to Β£636/Year: Our Complete Home Efficiency Journey

45.4% gas reduction over 5 years. Β£13,149 invested. Complete timeline with real data, strategic sequencing, and lessons learned.

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Boiler Selection 14 min read

Why I Chose a 26kW Boiler When Every Installer Said No

Decision-making story challenging installer convention. How modulation data and oversized radiators enabled right-sizing.

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Efficiency Trade-offs 11 min read

Our Kitchen Got Colder After Installing an Efficient Boiler (And That's Good)

Honest reality of efficiency upgrades. Temperature measurements prove efficiency, plus simple workaround for cold mornings.

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Technical Guide 13 min read

Radiator Sizing for Low Flow Temperature Efficiency

BTU calculations, oversizing strategy for 50Β°C flow temps. Complete radiator specifications and methodology.

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DIY Mentorship 12 min read

How a Plumber Taught Me to Hang Radiators (And I Did All 10)

Mentorship story and work split narrative. Complete step-by-step process for hanging radiators yourself.

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Radiator Efficiency 9 min read

Old Radiators Got Hot But Didn't Heat Rooms: Here's Why

Technical explanation of convector fins. T1/T2 vs T11/T21/T22 radiator types and why it matters for heating.

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DIY Project 14 min read

50mm to 350mm: Our Two-Year Loft Insulation Project

Complete timeline: Phase 1 and Phase 2 story, seasonal working, electrical drama, and cramped space challenges.

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Planning Strategy 10 min read

Why We Replaced ALL Radiators Before Decorating

Strategic sequencing and home renovation planning. Avoid work twice by doing disruptive work first.

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Installer Selection 11 min read

How to Find a Heating Installer Who Won't Oversize Your Boiler

Installer selection, warranty extension, and collaborative approach. Finding installers who support your choices.

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Home Improvement & Safety

Finding Asbestos During Home Renovation
Safety 12 min read

Finding Asbestos During Home Renovation: Our Story

What we discovered during central heating replacement, the testing process, and professional removal. Complete story with 15 images.

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Home Improvement 10 min read

Salvaging Materials After Asbestos Removal

Detailed decisions about what to save vs discard after professional asbestos removal. Practical salvage methodology.

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Personal Story 8 min read

Living Through Winter Without Central Heating

Family story of surviving cold months during complete heating system replacement. Temporary solutions and lessons learned.

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Test Before You Touch: Asbestos
Safety First 9 min read

Test Before You Touch: Asbestos in Victorian & Edwardian Homes

Why pre-1950s homes need testing before touching pipes. Professional advice and practical precautions.

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Home Renovation 15 min read

Complete Central Heating Replacement: The Full Reality

Timeline, costs, disruption, and decision-making for whole-system replacement. Everything we wish we'd known.

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Windows & Double Glazing

Phased Window Replacement
Home Improvement 13 min read

Phased Window Replacement: How We Did It Over Three Years

Strategic phasing strategy for expensive upgrades. Β£7,164 total spent across 2022-2024 for manageable cash flow.

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Budget DIY 8 min read

Β£50 Draught-Proofing: The Cheapest Home Efficiency Upgrade

Front door weatherproofing and letterbox solutions. Low-cost, high-impact efficiency improvements.

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Electric Vehicles & Transport

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Electric Vehicles 8 min read

Ford Puma Gen-E: Portsmouth to Hastings and Back on a Single Charge

Real-world range test with two kids, Christmas presents, and no charging. 82 miles each wayβ€”did we make it home on 46% battery?

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New Articles Coming Soon

I'm regularly publishing new guides on energy efficiency, money-saving projects, and sustainable living. Follow on YouTube or check back regularly for updates!

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