23 Feb 2024
By Carl Dodd

Why improving indoor air quality matters

air pollution, air quality, Carl Dodd, damp, draught-proofing, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, houseplants, housing, humidity, KLB – Scottish NZC, lifestyle transformation, mould, Nature, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., Retrofit PRL, sustainability, sustainable living, tenants, ventilation
  'All we need is the air that we breathe…' When we think about air pollution, we often picture smog-filled city streets or industrial emissions. However, the quality of the air inside our homes and buildings can also have a significant impact on our health and well-being. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the cleanliness and purity of the air within enclosed spaces such as: homes, offices, schools and public buildings. It encompasses factors such as the presence of pollutants, levels of humidity, and ventilation rates. Poor indoor air quality can lead to a range of health issues, including respiratory…
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09 Feb 2024
By Carl Dodd

Affordable warmth for all: heating your home sustainably

affordable warmth, Carl Dodd, damp, draught-proofing, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, floor insulation, heat pumps, KLB – Scottish NZC, lifestyle transformation, loft insulation, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, sustainability, sustainable living, tenants
Staying warm and comfortable in colder temperatures Ensuring that everyone has access to affordable warmth is a crucial aspect of sustainable living. Affordable warmth refers to the ability to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without experiencing financial hardship. This Blog Post explores what affordable warmth means, why it's important, and provides practical guidance on how everyone can heat their homes sustainably. Affordable warmth is about more than just heating your home; it's about ensuring that everyone has the means to stay warm and comfortable, regardless of their income or housing situation. It's a fundamental aspect of social and environmental justice, as…
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26 Jan 2024
By Carl Dodd

Water neutrality: what it is and how you can achieve it

Carl Dodd, damp, ecosystem, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, heat pumps, KLB – Scottish NZC, low impact, low carbon living, one planet living, organic, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., rainwater harvesting, recycling, reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, sustainability, sustainable living, water neutrality
Understanding water neutrality In an era of increasing concern about water scarcity and environmental sustainability, the concept of water neutrality has gained prominence. But what exactly does it mean, and how can individuals work towards achieving it? In this Blog post, we'll delve into the concept of water neutrality, exploring its significance and providing practical guidance on reducing water consumption to minimise your water footprint. Water neutrality is a concept aimed at balancing the amount of water consumed, with the amount of water returned to the environment, through conservation and restoration efforts. Essentially, it involves striving to ensure that the…
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29 Dec 2023
By Carl Dodd

How to make 2024 a greener year

biodiversity, carbon sequestration, Carl Dodd, circular economy, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, food, forest bathing, furniture, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, mindfulness, Nature, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, plastic, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., rainwater harvesting, recycling, reduce carbon footprint, rewilding, Shinrin-yoku, sustainability, sustainable living, up-cycling, waste less food
A New Year brings a whole host of lifestyle opportunities The New Year gives us all time to reflect on our lifestyles and consider how we can make positive changes for the planet. Green New Year's resolutions not only benefit the environment, but can also lead to a healthier, more sustainable way of life. In this Blog, we'll explore a variety of creative and impactful resolutions for 2024. These are my New Year Resolutions for 2024: 1 - I would like to re-do my Carbon Footprint using the WWF Carbon Footprint Calculator (https://footprint.wwf.org.uk) - and review my Net Zero Carbon…
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10 Nov 2023
By Carl Dodd

A breath of fresh air: home ventilation and sustainable living

Carl Dodd, damp, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, heat pumps, housing, KLB – Scottish NZC, mould, Nature, Net Zero Carbon, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, sustainability, sustainable living
As winter draws in… Although you may feel like closing the curtains tight and shutting all windows to keep the cold air out, this practice could be harming your home - and yourself. It's only natural as the air outside gets colder, to want to cosy-up indoors - but in doing so, we are also in danger of blocking out the fresh air that we need so much. With sustainable living, we often focus on energy-efficient appliances, renewable energy sources, and eco-friendly materials. However, one crucial aspect that is sometimes overlooked is home ventilation. The air we breathe within our…
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25 Oct 2023
By Carl Dodd

Heat pumps: all you need to know

Carl Dodd, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, heat pumps, housing, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, Net Zero Carbon, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, sustainability, sustainable living
The heat pump grant With the news that the government's homeowner's heat pump grant has been increased to £7,500, we take a look at why heat pumps lower pollution and energy bills. Heat pumps emit far less pollution than gas boilers and can lower bills, but they are expensive to buy - the government is hoping that the scheme will lower the cost of installing a new heat pump, in line with that of a gas boiler. There are 27 million old gas and oil boilers and the aim is to replace 600,000 a year, but the current rate is…
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22 Sep 2023
By Carl Dodd

Our 2050 net zero target: watered down or more realistic?

carbon sequestration, Carl Dodd, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, lifestyle transformation, low impact, low carbon living, Net Zero Carbon, one planet living, peat restoration, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, rewilding, sustainability
  All change… for now at least As PM Rishi Sunak has recently announced plans to weaken some of the government's green commitments, we take a look at what this means. The new-look plans include a delay on banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, and policies being scrapped that would force landlords to upgrade efficiency in their homes. Even before these latest changes though, the UK was being criticised for falling behind in its efforts to reach "net zero" by 2050. This date marks a key international target intended to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Mr Sunak…
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09 Jun 2023
By Carl Dodd

The importance of energy sufficiency in achieving a sustainable future

Carl Dodd, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency, Heatwave, housing, hydroelectricity, KLB – Scottish NZC, PRL, Property Revolutions Ltd., reduce carbon footprint, Retrofit PRL, wind power, wind turbine
An introduction to energy sufficiency The term "energy sufficiency" refers to the societal need for access to enough energy resources that don't cause environmental damage. In order to achieve a sustainable future, it is important to become energy efficient and use renewable resources. Many individuals and businesses are now beginning to understand the importance of energy sufficiency in order to achieve sustainability. Achieving energy sufficiency will require a major shift in how we produce and use energy. It is essential that we move away from our dependency on fossil fuels and towards using renewable energy sources that are environmentally friendly.…
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