Good Energy customers Tim Nicholson and Joanne Bowlt are the proud owners of a two bedroom flat that’s been renovated to create a light, healthy living space that is energy efficient and low carbon.

Many people can pinpoint a moment when the issue of climate change and the need to act on it hit them. For Tim and Joanne their ‘tipping point’ came during a journey they began in 2004 - when they bought a fifty year old Morris Oxford and drove it from Oxford in England, to Oxford, New Zealand, on an incredible fundraising adventure. They experienced firsthand the way that people’s lives are intimately related to their environment, from living with the floods in India to coping with drought in Australia. Their stay at the EcoInn in New Zealand inspired them to adopt a low carbon lifestyle when they got back. Their newfound passion for sustainability motivated them to change careers and refurbish their flat to be a comfortable and stylish low energy home.

If you own or rent a flat, it’s not always obvious how to reduce its carbon footprint. The Oxford EcoFlat aims to demonstrate what’s possible, introducing the solutions in a practical way. The flat is packed with low energy appliances, showcasing products that can be found in the Good Energy Shop.

Tim and Jo first heard about Good Energy through a COIN (Climate Outreach and Information Network) event several years ago. Because there’s a limit to what you can do with a flat that is part of a larger building, signing up to 100% renewable electricity is one way to make a difference. Tim and Jo then went a step further by investigating the possibility of insulating the whole building. Through their work on the Management Committee they were able to make this happen, creating a very positive energy saving impact for their neighbours. They have even convinced the Committee to get the electricity needs of communal areas in their building, such as hallways lighting, signed up to Good Energy too!

Tim and Jo moved out of their flat last year to make space for their growing family, so now it’s available for short and holiday lets. The EcoFlat is also part of COIN’s Ecovation project, a major initiative for people who have renovated their homes to a high environmental standard to share their experiences, tips, and contacts.