We were fortunate enough to sit down with the wonderfully optimistic and engaging Fiona Hughes, Founder of Green Heat. Originally from New Mexico, Fiona has experienced firsthand the extreme weather conditions of the high desert, with blistering summers and freezing winters. She says, ‘Nowadays, it’s impossible to ignore our environmental issues,’ and she is ready to step up to the challenge.
Her journey into the sustainability industry began in the US, studying for her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering; upon completing her course, she worked on projects developing advanced engines to generate electricity using concentrated heat from the sun and later made the move to the UK to study for her PhD in engineering at the prestigious Cambridge University. As a woman, going into the engineering industry isn’t always easy, but it seems there is never a challenge Fiona can’t take on without a smile on her face. Her glass-half-full attitude helps her to see the benefits of being a woman in the industry. Fiona says, ‘Women often believe they don’t know how to make their homes more efficient, but they are actually experts on their own homes.’ When working with her clients, Fiona often finds that it’s the women who know where the draughts are coming from or whether certain windows get more condensation than others. These are all clues to what your home needs to become more energy efficient.
When moving to the UK, Fiona noticed that many homeowners seemed to have very low expectations of what their homes could offer them. She said that many of her new friends seemed to simply accept that their homes were cold and draughty and, with a very determined British attitude, would put on an extra jumper rather than pay the extortionate heating prices. While that might seem very British, there is another way. Fiona wants homes to be comfortable and affordable for everyone. And making the right changes can undoubtedly lead to a cosier and more cost-effective home.
Fiona met her husband in Cambridge, who is also in the industry, meaning energy efficiency is a constant hot topic (pun intended) in their household. They now have two young children, and while they will unavoidably teach them about climate change and air source heat pumps, it’s not something Fiona wants to pressure them with. She shares that, as much as we want our children to understand what’s happening in our environment, it’s really not on their shoulders to make the changes.
The current state of the world can seem overwhelming, but the actions we take today are critical in shaping the future of the planet. Fiona remains optimistic. She believes that taking steps in the right direction can lead to significant change, and her expertise in making homes more energy-efficient creates an empowering vision for the future.
