The ideal show home

Working alongside Upkeep, a charity which promotes good practice in building care, the ECA has recently commissioned the Insideout House, an electrical display showing an environmentally friendly and safely wired home. The services were installed by T Clarke’s apprentices, and provide an example of a home that meets the standards of safety and sustainability set out in Part P and Part L, with explanatory notes to educate the general public.

Additional features such as energy saving lamps, complete with information charts on how much they actually conserve, are dotted around the mock living space. One of the most inspiring is an electricity monitor, which helps homeowners to identify which appliances use the most energy. The tool is designed to change the bad habits of its users, helping families make savings on their bills and reduce their carbon footprints based upon informed decisions on usage and wastage. The monitor on show is clipped onto the power supply cable. Versions which plug into individual wall sockets are also available.

Paul Reeve, health, safety and environment officer for the ECA, says: “This sort of monitor should be right by the foyer in B&Q and Dixons. But it’s a well-kept secret, which is a shame, as it can help people make the right choices.”

The house features in Upkeep’s Care of Buildings exhibition, which is housed in London’s Building Centre open to all. It forms part of a collection of best practice examples spanning construction, maintenance and repairs. From roofing and window frames to wiring and plumbing, each display provides homeowners with practical, visual information about how to take care of their properties.

Many people still feel daunted by their lack of knowledge about buildings, which means they often avoid carrying out much needed maintenance

David Pollock, director of the ECA, says: “It’s vital that homeowners understand their properties in order to benefit from running them efficiently and safely and, as such, the ECA is pleased to support Upkeep in its efforts to educate homeowners.”

The entire exhibition is designed to be fun as well as informative. A separate full-sized kitchen area highlights some of the hazards which are often found within the home’s most perilous room. ‘Can you guess what they are?’ poses a sign above visitors’ heads. Admittedly, it’s not rocket science. The earth wire has not been connected to the kettle plug and a socket displays some disconcerting scorch marks. An open bottle of white spirit sits happily next to the gas hob, above which a fire blanket is conspicuous by its absence. And the icing on the cake? A huge stuffed rodent lurks within the cupboards. For authenticity, dust and grease have been smeared liberally throughout. It’s easy to imagine you’ve just wandered onto the set of The Young Ones.

Upkeep director Annette McGill says: “Maintaining your property is integral to the environmental sustainability and safety of a home and, of course, affects its value. Despite this, many people still feel daunted by their lack of knowledge about buildings and avoid carrying out much needed maintenance. She adds: “The Upkeep exhibition is a free and useful resource for anyone interested in learning more about buildings and how to keep them in good shape. Homeowners are welcome to come along, take a look and learn more.”