Energy efficiency measures built into a house that is a showpiece, research project and a home created the environment for bananas to grow against the odds.
Tranquillity, the name of the house designed by Mike Hillard to be as energy efficient as possible, has had a banana tree produce fruit in its solar room.
The rare occurrence is possible because the room's temperature remains above outside room temperature partly because the windows are all double glazed with argon between the layers.
High levels of
insulation also permeate the home and doorways and windows are carefully sealed so that heat does not escape.
Mr Hillard claims that he spends just £60 on heating the building and £40 on heating its water a year.
While not everybody can build a home to these specifications, there are certain steps which people can take to make their home more energy efficient.
E.ON recommends installing
insulation, double glazing and radiator reflectors, among others.
Simpler behavioural changes include always turning off the lights, switching all appliances completely off instead of on standby and turning the thermostat down one degree.
