UPDATE MARCH 2013: This year's Superhomes week runs from 16-24 March, with 50 houses around the country hosting open days. More info here.

This unassuming Superhome in Howdenbank cut its emissions by 71%.

What comes into your mind when you read the words 'low-carbon superhome'?

Chances are it isn't a 1964 council-built semi on the Scottish Borders – but that's where you'd be wrong!

The brilliant Superhomes project challenges the idea that efficient houses have to be flashy newbuilds with bits of wood stuck on the outside, showcasing dozens of everyday homes that, through some cunning energy-saving measures, have cut their carbon emissions by at least 60%. 

Superhomes challenges the idea that efficient houses have to be flashy newbuilds with bits of wood stuck on the outside

Superhomes in the UK

This spring, 50 Superhome owners are throwing open their (carefully-insulated) doors, allowing members of the public to come and find out what it's like to live in a low-carbon house.

If you're planning some 10:10-flavoured home improvements for 2013, you could do a lot worse than to come along. 

Find a Superhome near you

The view from on high

That's right, we're on the hunt for a new executive director to steer the good ship 10:10 through what promises to be our biggest and best year so far.

Check out the full job listing here, and make sure you get your application to us by March 21st. Good luck!

With (deep breath) eight schools, the university, the NHS trust, our Home of the Future competition winners and the football club all taking part, Bristol has always been something of a 10:10 hotspot.

Now the influential Public Sector Travel website has done a lovely write-up of Bristol City Council's 10:10-inspired sustainable travel programme. Click here to check out the full article, or see below for a few choice extracts.

Live energy readout on the DECC website

Good news from government has been in short supply of late, but a couple of early-adopting government departments have racked up some fantastic 10:10 results.

First past the post is the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), which managed an impressive 21% emissions cut. That's 547 tonnes of climate changing CO₂ that didn't go anywhere near the atmosphere last year. Not bad at all.

When the temperature drops, it's tempting to crank up the thermostat and keep rocking the beach wear all winter long.  But by mastering your heating controls and enjoying the pleasures of knitwear, you'll stay warm and comfortable without sending your bills through the roof.

Lighter Later's all very well in the South, but what about Scotland?

Rarely a day goes by when we don't hear this objection, and we've always been open about the need for a closer look at the Scottish impacts of the clock change. We're delighted, therefore, that one of the UK's leading research institutions has taken up the challenge. A new report by the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) promises to shake up the long-running debate with some rather unexpected conclusions.

The joy of car-share – the winning entry from Liftshare's recent user video competition

If you caught our last monthly email update on low-carbon driving, you'll already know about liftshare, a clever system that matches people in need of a lift with people going the same way and willing to offer one. 

As mood-boosters go, it's hard to beat giving out free things to nice people. Throw loud music, fancy dress and a giant wicker dragon in the mix, and you can kiss the late summer blues goodbye.

I'm backstage at Bestival 2010; Simian Mobile Disco's set is unfolding a few metres away, and I've spent the day with Bestival's unstoppable green team giving free solar and bike phone charging to the nicest bunch of music lovers you could ever hope to meet. It could be worse.