1. Large wood boiler (tree logs etc) for main winter central heating - excellent. (1995)
2. Stanley wood range in kitchen (space heat, some cooking, linked to hot water system) -superb, a real friend. (1995)
3. Jotul wood stove in sitting room - for relaxing (1996)
4. Solar water heater (1999), which has worked well since with an annual cover-clean. Hot water supply 98% in summer; preheats in winter. Registered with Good Energy.
5. Electricity supplier 'Good Energy' - this has a major impact on carbon footprint reduction.
6. 3 kW rooftop PV, (2005) registered with Good Energy. Our electricity debit is now just £7 per month. Real value.
7. Shares in about 4 'cooperative' windfarms (maintains interest, a positive yet small return)
8. Pellet biomass heater in Snug (quick heat and good company)
9. Biomass costs, annual, about £100 pellets; about £300 wood logs; oil backup about £200/y; so total for space heat about £600/year (external insulation will hopefully mean that there will be less wood handling and loss oil-backup

Renewable energy commitment and activities for over 40 years in universities and associations. See www.amset.com .

Insulation etc is crucial, but the hardest job in practice. Attic/loft easiest. Cavity wall (if you have them, we don't). Secondary glazing beneficial (even with double glazed outer windows). We are now having 200 mm of external insulation installed (very expensive).

Stick at installing at least one project each year (however small). Monitor and measure.

Vehicle: biodiesel is fine for our car, but difficult to obtain. We want to buy 1000 litres, but cannot find a supplier.