Gas lighting and a coal fire were part of the fixtures and fittings when Peta and William McMorran first moved into their three-bedroomed house off Plumstead Common Road in 1950.
The former Scottish Forestry Commission official and his wife, both now aged 80, have always been energy-conscious.
They were able to get advice from the Greenwich Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on their eligibility for grant support for new central heating, and better insulation – helping make a huge impact on their fuel bills.
Little things matter
Peta McMorran said, "As far as smaller things go, we’ve changed to 15-watt low-energy light bulbs. We have an energy-saving kettle that makes four cups of tea.
"And, with the help from Greenwich Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, we’ve gradually built up from no insulation in our loft to 10 inches thick."
William has also opted for solar-powered fancy lights for his garden, which save up energy all day and come on at dusk, both as an attractive feature and for community safety.
"The gnomes are £3 or £4 each, or you can buy a set of four in any of the DIY superstores," he told us.
Cheaper energy bills
All in all, the grandparents, who married in 1949, reckon that they have far cheaper heating and lighting bills than in the old days.
Peta said, "Also, last year, it was a damp old winter. I wasn’t too well and I had to have the central heating on more or less all the time.
"I know our bills would have been much, much heavier if it wasn’t for everything we’ve got installed.
"And, in the summer, the only electricity we use is off the cooker!"
She added, “We must all try to do what we can for the planet."
Report on energy emissions
Cllr Rajwant Sidhu, the cabinet member for Greener Greenwich, said, “The action taken by residents like Mr and Mrs McMorran is an example of how more and more people are ready to see the benefits, to themselves and to the environment, of improved energy efficiency.
"Older properties are going to present the biggest challenges, but we have recently commissioned a report about energy emissions from all our houses in the borough, and once we have the findings, we will start to build a strategy.
"Greenwich Council is playing its part and, as long we all work together, I think we can seriously address this issue."