South West to open homes and host energy fairs in September
People interested in saving money on their energy bills can find out more at energy efficiency events running across the South West this month.
The events have been funded by the Ready for Retrofit programme, which awarded a total of £30,000 to eight community groups from Bristol, Bath, Devon, Somerset and Dorset earlier this year.
Last year’s events funded by the same programme resulted in over 160 homes opening which were visited by over 2000 visitors.
‘Open Homes’ events will see homeowners of eco-friendly properties open their doors to visitors, giving them the chance to see first hand different retrofit measures that can be easily introduced within the home to save energy.
Alongside these, Energy Fairs will be held, where local businesses that supply energy efficiency and microgeneration will exhibit their products and services. Speakers will provide information and demonstrations to visitors, giving them opportunity to find out simple tips and products that are easy to fit in their homes.
Jon Rattenbury, Ready for Retrofit Manager said: “Open Homes and Energy Fairs are a great way of showing how retrofitting homes with renewable heat and electricity measures can reduce energy consumption and ultimately household bills.
“Earlier events have proved to be very popular, attracting hundreds of visitors. The response both from the local groups that have already received funding and from the wider community is always really positive. We look forward to inspiring many more people to save energy through retrofitting at these events in September.”
The Ready for Retrofit programme supports energy efficiency in social housing, businesses and the community. It is an £8 million scheme funded by European Regional Development Fund (EDRF) and run by the Energy Saving Trust. It enables social landlords to apply for funding to retrofit energy efficiency and microgeneration measures to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
Dates for September events:
361 Energy-Open Homes and Energy Fair-North Devon http://www.361energy.org/
361 Energy Fair, 28thSeptember, Barnstaple Pannier Market
361 Green Doors 20-21 September
Transition Totnes - Open Homes and Energy Fair –Totnes http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/groups/building-and-housing/open-eco-homes/
Totnes Eco Homes Fair, 27thSeptember
Transition Totnes Open Eco Homes, 21stSeptember
Transition Tavistock- Open Homes and Energy Fair-Tavistock http://www.transitiontavistock.org.uk/energy-savers-eco-fair/
Energy Savers at Home 13-14thSeptember
Eco Fair, 20thSeptember, Tavistock College
Transition Minehead and Alcombe-Open Homes http://www.west-somerset-forum21.org.uk/index.html
West Somerset Open Homes 13th September to 11th October with clusters of open homes –
Watchet 13thSeptember
Minehead 20thSeptember
Wheddon Cross 4thOctober
Wivelliscombe 11thOctober
Plus a community energy event in Wheddon Cross on 27th September
Bristol Green Doors-Open Homes http://www.bristolgreendoors.org/events/september-2014
13-14thSeptember
Transition Bath-Open Homes and Energy Fair http://transitionbath.org/calendar/
Home Improvement Fair 14thSeptember, Bath Guildhall
Bath Green Homes, 27-28thSeptember
Frome Renewable Energy Co-Op-Energy Fair http://freco.org/
One Planet Sunday, 14thSeptember
For more information, please contact Julie Everett at Coast Communications on 01752 847135/ 07866 002635 or email julie@coastmarcoms.co.uk
Ready for Retrofit
Ready for Retrofit is a three-year project offering a new funding opportunity for social landlords in the south west of England (except Cornwall) to improve the energy efficiency of their existing stock. The aim of the project is to grow the local supply chain for low carbon building retrofit by stimulating demand and supporting local SME businesses, in order to create a sustainable domestic energy efficiency and microgeneration sector. We are also helping to grow the market locally by working with local authorities and community groups.
The following organisations that have been awarded funding under the scheme
1. 361 Energy (North Devon)
2. Bristol Green Doors
3. Sid Energy (Sidmouth, Dorset)
4. Bedminster Energy
5. Frome Renewable Energy Co-op
6. Transition Stroud
7. Transition Minehead and Alcombe
8. Transition Tavistock
9. Transition Town Totnes
10. Exeter Community Energy
11. Dorset Energised
12. Moretonhampstead Development Trust
13. Transition Bath
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