More open house visits in May or June

For the last two years, members of Transition West Bridgford have organised an eco house open day linked to the West Bridgford Summer Gathering.

This year's Summer Gathering is on 19th May, and if you are interested in visiting a local home with eco features, you can sign up there or contact us directly on wbecohouses@gmail.com for more information or to book a place.

For anyone interested in renewable technologies, David's house is worth a visit. With solar PV panels on the roof generating electricity and a ground source heat pump system linked to "sunboxes", this well-insulated house is a great example of how these technologies can work really well.

Peveril Solar house: PV, Heat Pump, Solar thermal, Light tube

If solid wall insulation is something you are considering, there are two homes that might be of interest. One has been insulated externally with 100mm of Phenolic boards on the back and side walls.

Harms house: External Insulation, done very thoroughly

The other is undergoing a whole house refurbishment and should achieve the Passivhaus standard for retrofit when complete. This youtube video gives a flavour of the work involved, or check out the blog to follow progress.

Solar PV some amazing feedback

Today over a drink with a user of Solar PV panels, installed a year ago, she told me with great excitement that no only did she receive a £900 for the energy she had produced (12 panels on a south facing roof), she also got a letter from her electricity provider that they were going to reduce her monthly electric standing order from £36 to £15. She was over the moon. Thought to share that bit of good news with you all.

West Bridgford Summer Gathering on 19th May

This year's Summer Gathering in West Bridgford Park is not far off - fingers crossed for good weather and a most enjoyable event.

To see the full list of what's on this year, go to the Summer Gathering blog.

The WB Eco House Group will be there, alongside other current Transition West Bridgford projects on the Transition West Bridgford stall. We'll have info of an eco house nature to give out, and there will be the chance to sign up for open house visits again this year to see local homes with eco features on a date after the Summer Gathering.

If you are there, we hope you will come along and say hello.

And if you would like to join us on the stall, we are looking for volunteers. No technical knowledge required!! The idea is to have 2-3 people on the stall through the day, each person for just an hour. It is very sociable and not too arduous! Just contact wbecohouses@gmail.com if you would like to know more.

More on good insulation deals

If you want to add to your loft insulation but have found that you don't qualify for the various free and subsidised schemes going on at the moment because you have more than the minimum amount, what can you do?

Phil at Nottingham Energy Partnership (NEP) has just emailed me to say that for DIYers, there are some exceptional offers on loft insulation at Homebase right now.

If you have less than 60-100mm of loft insulation, you will be able to get free loft insulation (e.g. via the Rushcliffe Borough Council's Warmstreets scheme in the previous post, or via NEP's scheme). Details vary slightly from scheme to scheme, so don't give up if you are excluded from one scheme - you may qualify for another scheme or a subsidised deal. Don't miss out!

If you don't qualify for free loft insulation but have less than 130-150mm already, you can probably find a subsidised deal by phoning around (e.g. via the Rushcliffe Borough Council's Warmstreets scheme in the previous post, or via NEP's scheme). Details vary slightly from scheme to scheme, so don't give up if you are excluded from one scheme - you may qualify for another.

These same schemes also provide free and subsidised cavity wall insulation. They all look likely to end next year, so 2012 is the year to "GET A ROUND TUIT"!!!

The Race Is On: Free Insulation in 2012

The race is on to get your home insulated for free during 2012! Until the end of this year households in Rushcliffe (and elsewhere in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire) can take advantage of free loft and cavity wall insulation for their home regardless of their income, thanks to Warmstreets, the only insulation scheme endorsed by Rushcliffe Borough Council.

This time limited offer includes free loft insulation for any private household (owned or rented) that currently has less than or equal to 100mm, as well as free cavity wall insulation. Those who already have over 100mm of loft insulation can pay a subsidised price of just £99 to have it topped up to the recommended level of 270mm.

Sheila Hood, Community Energy Officer at Rushcliffe Borough Council, said:
‘This offer is better than free! Not only can we now install loft and cavity wall insulation without charging, but you will save money on your energy bills for years to come as your home will be easier to heat – up to £175 a year if you install loft insulation and £135 if you install cavity wall insulation. It will also reduce the impact of your home on the environment.’


She added a warning:
‘Free insulation is only possible due to government subsidies which are due to end in December 2012. After that we expect loft and cavity wall insulation to cost several hundred pounds. Take advantage while you can! Almost 400 Rushcliffe residents already have!’

Householders who are interested can call Warmstreets on 0800 043 9569, or if calling from a mobile, 0333 577 9569, to arrange a survey today. Alternatively, visit: www.warmstreets.co.uk. Offers are subject to survey and depend on house size.