Body Talk - 20th November

Bit of a different show this week as I interviewed Alan Shaw, who is an Eco-Friendly Architect. A healthy home means a healthy body.

Alan explained to us the problems of centrally heated homes. Many homes today are built without fireplaces at all, which gives rise to very bad ventilation, which in turn can give rise to many breathing difficulties and chest related illnesses.The old-fashioned fireplace does more than give off heat, it keeps the air circulating around the house, plus the feel-good factor of sitting by an open fire in mid-winter. Try, if you can to keep your home well ventilated, not nice to have open windows when it's cold, but do get as much fresh air as possible.

Another danger to health can be carpets, which harbour dust and dust mites, giving rise to asthma attacks. Wooden flooring is much better.

We also discussed the solar heating option. This is a very good way of heating your home, and will substantially reduce your bills, but unfortunately it is costly to install. If you are planning on moving, then maybe not, but if you are looking to stay in your house for the next ten years or more then you will reap the benefits.

Green rooves were another talking point. This is an excellent idea, particularly in more urban areas. Flat rooves can be covered in mosses and grasses to encourage wildlife and add an extra dimension to your garden. They look attractive and mostly take care of themselves. It is also possible to cover the external walls of buildings too, but, as with most of these eco-friendly ideas, very costly.

It is a  shame that cost should prohibit us from enjoying these much more natural ways of working and living. However, if you are dedicated to looking after yourself and the planet, then contact me to find out more.

Article by Melanie Watson, 3 Dec 2007
Posted in Body Talk

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