Home tech

Kitchen cupboard paint in Black Sand, £22.99 per 750ml, Rust-Oleum

QI have some savings set aside for improvements to my small cottage, but I’m keen to future-proof and make it more energy-efficient. What should I be looking at spending my money on? Paul Morton, Somerset

ATom Butler, Head of Sales and Marketing at the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and MyGlazing.com shares his advice... There are various improvements to consider, including energy-efficient glazing. In the last 20 years advanced technological innovation has seen glazing develop significantly, from specialist glass types through to improved double and triple glazed windows and doors, saving over 50 per cent in fuel bills.

When it comes to exterior doors, there are a few factors that could be impacting their environmentally friendliness. Do your doors have modern glazing in them? Are they single, double or triple glazed? What materials are they made of? Are your door frames sealed correctly? Upgrading older doors to more energy-efficient alternatives can really reduce your energy consumption and bills.

If you’re planning to extend your home by adding another bedroom in the loft, insulation is a must – and is a popular route to making your home more energy-efficient. Insulation essentially reduces the exchange of heat (both gain and loss) through the surfaces of the property. From cavity wall insulation to loft insulation or underfloor insulation, there are options to suit every budget.

The use of oil or gas heating systems and hot water in our homes account for around 15 per cent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, but there are ways to reduce your carbon footprint. From air-source heat pumps to water-source heat pumps, there are different lowcarbon heating avenues to explore. Heat pumps are essentially an alternative to boilers and run off electricity (as opposed to gas) to heat your home/water. It’s worth noting that they don’t produce carbon emissions while operating. Q I’ve just bought my first property, and it has a pine kitchen, which is very dated but in good condition so I’m planning to paint it. Do you have any advice on what I should use for a high-quality finish? Talib Blackwell, Melton Mowbray

ALaura McDonald, Head of Creative at Rust-Oleum, shares her top tips… Giving a pre-owned kitchen a new lease of life is such a great idea, and here at RustOleum we’re big fans of painting rather than replacing! Our kitchen cupboard paint is the perfect choice for cupboard doors, with its ultra-flat matt finish and an incredible depth of colour. The finish is soft to touch, yet hard-wearing enough to handle being regularly wiped clean, which we know is important in any busy kitchen. The clever formula means that there’s usually no primer or top coat required for wooden or melamine doors, although we’d always recommend using a primer where stain bleed may be an issue, including wood with knots. It’s available in 110 shades too, so you’re sure to find one that suits your style. What’s more, there’s no need to worry about colour charts, as you can order tester paint sachets online at rustoleumcolours.co.uk for just 99p each with free delivery. The trend for dramatically dark kitchens shows no sign of slowing, so why not try a bold shade such as Black Sand, Carbon or After Dinner?

Choosing energy-efficient glazing can help cut the cost of your energy bills

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