Ian Bowles

IT may sound good in theory, but creating a green home is no easy task Retired actuary and now a rugby coach for a local school, Ian Bowles made eco-friendly changes to his home primarily to save money in his retirement. Helping to save the environment is the icing on the cake.

His home in Blackmore Park, near Hanley Swan, has solar panelled water heating, an electricity-generating wind turbine and storm water storage for 6,000 gallons.

Mr Bowles says wind turbines are expensive (the cost is around £15,000) and he concedes that initial start-up costs have so far not made the money saved worthwhile.

"The principle is great but the turbine has not worked according to expectations," said Mr Bowles.

Home-improvement superstore B&Q may have the answer to this price versus production problem, as it is now selling more affordable versions of energy-saving products.

Ian Cheshire, chief executive of B&Q, said: "Many of us are unaware that the average house is more environmentally damaging than the average car.

"B&Q is responding to genuine consumer interest in environmental issues by helping everyone to see that taking a few simple steps can save money and the environment at the same time."

Their micro-turbines and solar panel water heating packages cost £1,498 each (including installation for the turbine) and could save up to a third on electricity bills and 70 per cent of water heating costs.

For more advice on green-living, Malvern residents can visit the Homes 4 Now exhibition in Great Malvern on Saturday and Sunday (October 14 and 15), from 10am to 4pm. Visitors can hear top tips from eco-experts including Brigit and Dick Strawbridge, former Malvern residents and stars of the BBC series It's Not Easy Being Green.

Eco-builder and Independent newspaper columnist Will Anderson will speak about his own carbon neutral London home in his talk Tree House - Build a House That Works Like a Tree.

"Trees are remarkable sustainable structures," he says. "They are perfectly adapted to the natural environment in which they flourish, coping admirably with heat, cold and desiccation. They are powered entirely by solar energy. They are built from beautiful, sustainable materials. They turn all their waste products into valuable nutrients. They are perfectly integrated into the wider ecosystem and support a diversity of flora and fauna."

This was the vision for his new build but Mr Anderson will also be giving people advice on how to make their existing homes more eco-friendly.

A composting clinic will be hosted by Trevor Bell and Jim Wallis will talk about straw buildings.

A recycling bus will also be parking up to show people how to slim their bins.

For more information on Homes 4 Now visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/ homes4now.

11:16am Friday 6th October 2006

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