Your favourite characters live in some wonderfully whimsical homes. Let’s take a look at the efficiency rating of some of these fictional dwellings and see if there’s room for improvement.
This house is clearly about atmosphere over efficiency. Drafty corridors, big gothic windows and spooky fog to top it off. Not to mention the energy required to keep the hidden passageways and trapdoors operational.
The Addams’ definitely aren’t winning any awards for efficiency. It’s dark and cold, but I think they like it that way. And bonus points as they probably don’t use much electricity in lighting the place.
Unfortunately, Barbie’s Dreamhouse isn’t so dreamy when it comes to sustainability.
Unless she’s recycling all that water, a two-story water slide doesn’t exactly suggest efficiency. And Barbie’s automated wardrobe sure looks like a huge energy guzzler. Luckily, the roof is the perfect contender for solar panels – a great idea to take the strain off Barbie’s power usage (as long as they come in pink).
Keeping the Dreamhouse warm in winter might be difficult since it’s missing two walls and open to the elements. But maybe in Barbie Land winter, and electricity bills, don’t exist.
Carl and Ellie’s place has lots of cosy touches, but not too many sustainable ones. Like many charming vintage homes of the era, they’re not known for their energy efficiency. Upgrades like a reverse cycle AC unit and electric cooktop would add a few sustainability points to this house.
While Carl’s addition of the balloons allows him to fly off to warmer climates in winter, a different type of balloon might be all he needs to save on his heating bill – a chimney balloon. Or maybe he could invest in an EV as a better way to go on adventures and keep his house firmly on the ground.
With very questionable structural integrity, the Burrow is held up by magic and a whole lotta luck. Although it seems super cosy on the inside, this thing looks drafty as hell. Given the many levels and mismatched rooflines, some investment in ceiling insulation could minimise heat loss through the roof. There’s probably some government rebates the Weasleys could take advantage of. While an HVAC system would be a great upgrade for climate control, it’s unlikely to double as transport to Diagon Alley like their fireplaces do.
I’ve got to assume magic plays a (big) role here, or the Burrow definitely wouldn't be meeting any efficiency standards.
The Hobbit Hole is a sorta subterranean sanctuary of sustainability. People love these things - so much so, they build real life ones to live in. And for good reason. They’re basically the gold standard for energy efficiency.
Built into hillsides, Hobbit Holes are naturally insulated by the earth, meaning stable and comfortable temperatures year-round.
Given how much hobbitses love to eat, they could opt for electric stovetops to make cooking up a feast take advantage of more renewables entering the grid. But the compact design makes for great heat retention, so Bilbo can stay snug and cosy (and keep his second breakfast warmer for longer).
Hobbit Holes get an A+ from me. Maybe we should all live in hobbit holes.
It’s no wonder Rapunzel wanted to escape the tower - the stone walls are great for keeping cool in summer but can be quite unforgiving in cooler weather. Although living on the top floor means she gets the benefit of rising hot air, she’d struggle to stay warm in winter.
The few windows give Rapunzel a little natural light - but with the elevated position of the tower, larger windows could make the most of the daylight and provide some extra ventilation. She could look into some double glazing for extra insulation.
Rapunzel's famously long locks would require a lot of water for a wash and dry. Solar hot water could be a great upgrade for the tower to make hair wash day more energy efficient.
Shrek is the epitome of being one with nature. A bit like the Hobbit Hole, Shrek’s humble abode (heavy emphasis on the humble) is operating pretty well efficiency-wise.
Moss and mud make for great natural insulation, and who needs an AC when you’ve got the cool swamp breeze? His earwax candles and fireflies are about as low energy as lighting gets.
Shrek showers with a pulley system and bathes in a nearby lake. Super energy efficient, not too practical. Upgrading to an electric hot water system so he could shower indoors might make him more comfortable. Though he might scare off the electricians.
How do you think your home would stack up against your favourite character’s home? And let us know which fictional homes we should review next.
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