There’s a brilliant Red Dwarf moment from the episode “Psirens” (which I absolutely loved) where Kryten correctly predicts they won’t be hit by a meteorite, but no one believes him.
When he’s proven right, he switches to “smug mode” and wanders off to do some ironing, utterly pleased with himself.
Sometimes, when people hear about our fossil fuel-free household, I worry they think we’ve permanently engaged our own version of smug mode. But honestly, it’s quite the opposite. The truth is, our journey to eliminate fossil fuels from our home isn’t about being right or superior, it’s about practicing what we preach.
As you might know, my husband is a lecturer and researcher in climate science at the University of Reading, I host the Electric Evolution podcast, and I also work with charge point operators in the UK.
This means we’re both interested in decarbonisation of both heat and transport, so it would be rather hypocritical if we weren’t actually walking the walk at home. We needed to do what we say on the tin.
Making Choices That Align With Our Values
Over the past few years, we’ve made some significant changes. We’ve replaced our gas boiler with a heat pump, switched to an electric vehicle, installed solar panels and battery storage, and we’ve stopped flying for several years now.
One friend (bless her) thinks my husband has “forced” me to give up flying abroad, which made me laugh, as I can tell you now that no one forces me to do anything, trust me!
Yes, I’d love to visit different countries and explore new places, but we can still do that. This year we’re taking our EV from Portsmouth to Santander for a holiday in Spain and then we’re driving back through Spain and France. To me, that’s still an adventure, which I love.
At first, giving up flying did feel restrictive and, honestly, a bit annoying. But now it wouldn’t feel right to be jetting off here, there and everywhere. It’s become part of who we are, not something imposed upon us.
I want to be clear, this isn’t about judging anyone who makes different choices. Everyone’s circumstances are unique, and we’re simply making decisions that work for our family and align with our professional commitments.
The Reality Behind the Technology
Has it all been plain sailing? Absolutely not. We’ve had teething troubles with the heat pump and a couple of hiccups with the car, but to me these things happen when you adopt newer technology.
These experiences have given me real insight into the challenges EV drivers and homeowners face when transitioning to sustainable technologies, insights that directly inform my improvement work with charge point operators.
But here’s the thing: it’s all working brilliantly now, and we’re genuinely happy with our setup. The heat pump keeps us warm (not that we currently need it, when it’s been so sunny lately), the EV gets us where we need to go, and the solar panels with battery storage have transformed how we think about our energy use. We’re living proof that these technologies work when properly installed and maintained.
Understanding the Reality for Others
The reason we’re not in permanent smug mode about any of this is simple: we recognise that not everyone can afford these transitions yet.
We know that for many households, the upfront costs of heat pumps, electric vehicles, and solar installations remain prohibitive.
We also understand that some people are genuinely sceptical about whether this technology works effectively. That’s precisely why the work we do matters.
Through the Electric Evolution podcast, I share real experiences from people both working in and navigating through this transition. With Full Circle CI, we help charge point operators create infrastructure that builds trust and confidence in electric vehicle technology, and of course I share these insights.
We’re not preaching from an ivory tower, we’re sharing practical insights from actually living with these technologies.
The Road Ahead
There may come a time when my husband needs to fly again for work, there’s something on the horizon I can’t discuss just yet. But I know he’ll approach any travel decisions thoughtfully, considering carbon offsetting and other ways to minimise environmental impact.
For now, we’re quietly getting on with proving that fossil fuel-free living works.
We’re not wandering off to do the ironing in smug mode, we’re in “practical demonstration mode.” Every day, we’re showing that these technologies can be reliable, efficient, and genuinely improve quality of life.
The transition to sustainable living isn’t about being right or superior. It’s about making authentic choices that reflect your values, learning from the inevitable challenges, and sharing those experiences to help others make informed decisions.
Sometimes the most powerful advocacy isn’t about telling people what to do, it’s about showing them what’s possible when you align your actions with your beliefs.
No smug mode required.
