A RETIRED couple have found the ultimate example of green energy – covering their house in a climbing plant.
Michael and Teresa Lye tried to tame the Virginia creeper when they first moved into the home nearly four decades ago.
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But over the years they have simply stopped trying and are now content to let it grow, only asking a relative over infrequently to prune the leaves covering the windows.
The plant, also known as five-leaved ivy, is somewhat of a local attraction in Bromley, south east London – with people regularly stopping to take photos.
But the pair say it has a practical purpose too – keeping the house warm in the winter.
Michael, 75, said: “We think it acts as natural insulation.
“But I’m still dreading my gas and electricity bill coming.”
Teresa, 72, added: “This room is nice and warm. Go in any of the rooms – it’s warm.
“That’s why we’ve got a fan in here. In the winter we are toasty.
“My daughter comes up and says, ‘You got the heating on?’. I say, ‘No, of course we haven’t got the heating on’.”
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The parents-of-five and grandparents-of-25 bought the semi-detached property for £24,000 in 1984.
It is located on an estate in the Downham area, which they say dates back to 1928 and was opened by royalty – who suggested the Virginia creeper.
But when the couple viewed the house decades later, the plant was running amok – and had even made its way inside.
Do you have an unusual hack to heat your home? Email [email protected]
Michael, who worked in social housing, said: “A monarch opened the estate. I can’t remember which one.
“And they said, ‘These houses would look lovely with Virginia creeper on them’.
“So the council started to plant it on all the houses. Most people moved in and got rid of it.
“[When we viewed the house] there were some windows that were broken, and [the plant] had grown up the top passageway along the wall.
“It had actually come in the house.”
Go in any of the rooms – it’s warm. In the winter we are toasty.
Teresa Lye
Teresa said: “It had grown in one bedroom, where they [vandals] had broken the windows.
“When we viewed it, I said, ‘Oh’. You walked in the room and it was right across the ceiling and down the walls.
“And they said, ‘No, we’re going to clear all that. We’re going to paint the window, we’re going to decorate’.”
Pictures of the house often make their way on to community Facebook groups, where people speak fondly of the local landmark.
Michael added: “Every week, somebody will stop.
“If you watch the cars pulling up because of the lights, you can see them doing [makes photo gesture].
How to cut your energy bills
British Gas engineer, Joanna Flowers, has revealed her top tips to cut your energy bills and says customers could save as much as £103 a year.
Keep devices unplugged
Electronic devices, such as a phone, tablet, TV, dishwasher or washing machine still use energy while on standby whatever the weather.
Joanna said: “You can save around £55 a year just by remembering to unplug them.”
Use a microwave when possible
People can save energy because it’s quicker than using the oven or stove.
Joanna said it’s worth considering a slow cooker too, as they’re one of the most energy-efficient kitchen appliances.
The Energy Saving Trust says that a microwave is more energy efficient than a traditional gas or electric oven.
Do your washing on a cold cycle and reduce runs
Joanna explained that running the washing machine on a 30-degree cycle instead of using higher temperatures and limiting their usage can save you cash.
It is estimated that the typical UK household does 270 loads of washing a year. If each load takes an average of one hour, then this puts the annual cost of running your washing machine at £91.80.
Switch off the lights
Additionally, people should keep the curtains open and let daylight brighten their room.
Joanna said: “When you need to switch on the lights, get into the habit of only lighting rooms that are being used, and you can save you £20 on your annual energy bills.”
Only heat the hot water needed
The way a boiler is set up can make a difference to how much people can save on their heating bills, especially if they have a combi boiler.
Joanna said: “A boiler’s flow rate shows how much hot water it will be able to send to your taps in one minute.
“By setting the flow rate for the hot water to somewhere between 50°C-60°C, you can ensure you only heat the hot water you need.
“When it’s not as cold outside and you don’t need the house to warm up as quickly, you could also reduce the flow rate for heating to this temperature.”
“As early as last week a van with two people in it – a low, flat truck – was going past slowly and the guy took a picture as he drove past.
“Then there was a lady out there the other day. I said, ‘It’s a pound a picture’. She said, ‘What?!’. I said, ‘I’m only joking, don’t worry’.
“And she asked, ‘Don’t you get all the creepy crawlies coming in the windows?’.
“And I said, ‘No, the wife sleeps with her mouth open so we’re fine’.”
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