Singer-songwriter KT Tunstall is putting her money where her mouth is. The artist, whose debut album Eye to the Telescope went platinum, is outspoken about green issues and is leading the way by having her house in northwest London renovated to include eco-friendly features and technologies.

Eco-consultancy GreenSteps has advised KT throughout the renovation, supplying the natural insulation materials, carbon positive woodfibre board and lime-based breathable plaster used in the coversion of the attic into a soundproof music room, and technologies used during the project.

Other measures implemented include natural insulating woodfibre board and breathable eco-plaster for use throughout the home, thermafleece sheep's wool insulation, and the installation of a super-efficient heating and hot water system.

The project, which began in July, will be finished before the end of September.

The brief was to use the most efficient, lowest embodied energy, natural and environmentally sound materials wherever new or replacement materials were required; and to use the most energy efficient technological solutions, as follows:

• Conversion of the loft to create a sound-resistant music room. This used sheep's wool insulation between the roof rafters and carbon positive insulating woodfibre board on the inside of the roof and on the inside of the party walls. The woodfibre board is 95% recycled, is an excellent insulation material, it prevents overheating in the summer and is very good and preventing the passage of sound. Directly onto the woodfibre board is a lime based breathable plaster system and breathable paint. This allows the walls to act as a moisture regulating layer for the internal environment, preventing condensation, mould and other issues associated with high humidity like asthma and respiratory problems.
• The rest of the home is being insulated with sheep's wool insulation.
• Replacement of the heating and hot water system. For this, a super-efficient system called a SuperFlow was used. This uses a condensing combination boiler with a GasSaver device and a small thermal store cylinder to allow peak time delivery of hot water to be as high as 20 litres per minute. This allows you to use a smaller boiler and overcomes the flow rate problems which often prevent people from choosing the more efficient combination boiler set up for their homes.
• Re-decoration of the entire home with breathable, solvent free paints manufactured by Oikos (these are actually more durable, perform better and are cheaper than the highest grade ‘big brand’ paint).
• The original wooden floorboards are being restored and wherever possible, reclaimed wood is being used throughout the home.
• A low energy lighting system is being installed.
• Use of water saving technologies in the bathroom. The hot water system is water saving in that it takes far less time to heat the water, preventing you pouring partially heated water down the sink/bath. Also using Tapmagic spray devices on the taps to reduce water usage at the basin. Rainwater harvesting is not feasible due to the type of property.
• KT is also becoming the first UK based participant in the BP Solar Neighbours programme. This is a programme whereby she pays for a Photovoltaic solar electricity generation system to be installed on her home. In return for this, the programme buys an equivalent photovoltaic system for a deprived family in the USA. This programme has been in place for celebrities in the USA for some time, but it is the first time anyone UK based has participated.