Housing home user guide

These are part of the decomposition process but their numbers can be reduced by
burying any fruit waste among other ingredients. Flies are also a sign that the
compost is a little too wet or has too many ‘green’ ingredients. Make sure that the
bin has a lid and add ‘brown’ ingredients such as straw, cardboard or paper to rebalance
the heap. Mix it in well.
There’s a wasps nest in my bin – what shall I do?
There is no ‘organic’ way to get rid of wasps. However, they do not return to the
same nest every year so the problem will be over when autumn comes. If you can,
leave the wasps alone as they are useful predators for garden pests. If they cannot
be left (in a school garden, for example) then call your local council’s Environmental
Health Department for advice. To avoid the problem in future, make sure that your
heap does not get too dry – make sure it has a lid and that the sides are solid, with
no air gaps.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
g. Energy Saving Tips
Your home has been designed to reduce the amount of energy needed in heating
rooms and providing hot water.
All of the walls, roofs and floors are well insulated; the windows and doors are
double glazed and draught proofed. This will help in reducing the costs of heating
your home.
Homes have been arranged to make best use of the heating effect of the sun. Where
possible, windows on the warmer south facing walls are larger than the ones that
face to the North. During the winter you should allow the sun to help heat your home
by allowing it to shine into the south facing rooms. However, during warm summer
days some shading of windows will help keep rooms cooler.
Slatted or lightweight material blinds are a good way of allowing light into your rooms
whilst stopping direct sunlight.