Start here · Essential guide
How Heating and Cooling a Home Efficiently Works
How heat moves in and out of a house, and how the main types of measure (fabric, air leaks, controls, equipment) address different parts of the problem.
Running a Lighter Home
Heating, Cooling and Insulation
How homes gain and lose heat, and the measures that make comfort cheaper to maintain.
Damp, Condensation and Ventilation in Efficient Homes
Why better-sealed, better-insulated homes can develop damp and mould, how condensation forms, and how ventilation keeps indoor moisture under control.
Draught Proofing Basics for Older Homes
How to find and seal gaps in an older house, which openings should stay open for ventilation and appliances, and what to check before you start.
How Heat Pumps Move Heat Rather Than Make It
How heat pumps use a refrigeration cycle to move heat from outside to inside, why they can deliver more heat than the electricity they use, and when they struggle.
How Heating Zones, Timers and Setpoints Work Together
How splitting a home into heating zones, scheduling heat and choosing sensible temperature setpoints interact, and where each can help or waste energy.
How Home Insulation Works and Where Heat Escapes
How insulation slows heat flow by trapping air, which parts of a typical house lose heat, and what to consider about moisture and ventilation before adding it.
Passive Cooling With Shade, Airflow and Thermal Mass
How to keep a home cooler without air conditioning, using external shade, night-time ventilation and heavy building materials, and where these methods fall short.
Using Windows, Curtains and Blinds as Insulation
How glazing, curtains, blinds and secondary glazing change heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, with practical tips and the limits of each option.
Wood Burners and Open Fires: Air Quality and Efficiency Trade-offs
How wood burners and open fires compare for warmth and fuel use, what they add to indoor and outdoor air pollution, and how to reduce the harm if you burn wood.
Related topics
More in running a lighter home
Energy and Carbon at Home Cut household and workplace energy use and understand where emissions come from. Water and Indoor Air Use water wisely and understand air and water quality at home. Sustainable Home Spaces Rooms, repairs, garden and routines for a lower-impact home. Appliances and Laundry Running washing machines, dryers, fridges and other appliances with less energy and water. Sustainable Renovation and Materials Planning repairs and renovations around materials, order of work and safety.