Get inspired – Green Open Homes 2024

Thinking of retrofitting your home? Dreaming of building your own Passivhaus? Looking for ways to reduce energy bills, cut carbon emissions, future-proof your home and increase your comfort year-round? Want to take positive action in response to the climate emergency?

On the weekends of 9/10 and 16/17 November, MHSG’s Green Open Homes season offers unique access to eight North London houses and homeowners who have tackled all of the above. Who have learned from triumphs and mistakes, have the evidence, experience and recommendations to help you on your decarbonisation journey; and have generously offered to open their doors and answer any questions.

“This the 11th year for our Green Open Homes season and it becomes more popular and vital each year,” says MHSG chair, Cara Jenkinson. “Reducing our domestic emissions is one contribution to Net Zero that we can all be making; and the line-up of houses that are generously opening their doors covers the full spectrum – from quick fix LED lighting to a scratch built Passivhaus. This is a rare opportunity to pick the brains and little black books of these early adopters.”

Seven houses in Muswell Hill (N10) and one in Tottenham (N17) will be available to view through prebooked tours, showcasing a full range of carbon reduction measures including triple glazing, air source heat pumps, external and internal insulation, solar panels, energy-saving appliances and thermal blinds. They in turn range from an eco-new build to architect designed, Edwardian retro-fit to ex-local authority, all electric house. 

One such host, Pamela Harling, moved into her 1920’s house in 2014. She spent two cold winters gathering designs, planning permission and installers, and six months of work to create a home that leapt from an EPC F rating to a B. ”The house has been transformed,” she says “and as a bonus, it generates as much energy as it uses, so is now designated carbon neutral. I open my house because someone did the same for me many years ago and inspired me to get a really comfortable house that is energy efficient.”

Expert evening talks …

Three accompanying evening talks from eco-architects, a renewables installer and a retrofit expert, take a further deep-dive into their respective experiences and specialisms and tackle such thorny issues as feasibility, planning permission and design.

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