3 Nottingham SuperHomes Opening to Visitors in September 2016

3 Nottingham SuperHomes Opening to Visitors in September 2016

The pioneering owners of some of the UK's most eco-friendly SuperHomes will be opening their doors to the public this September. SuperHomes are older homes refurbished by their owners for greater comfort, lower bills and fewer carbon emissions - at least 60% less!

This year, three SuperHomes in the Nottingham area will take part. Entry is free, making this an ideal chance to talk to the home owners and receive feedback on how they successfully transformed their old homes, making them cheaper to heat and more comfortable.

1890's semi detached SuperHome in West Bridgford, click here.

One of the first ever SuperHomes, this home is still ahead of its time, with a 90% reduction in carbon emissions (lower than most new builds)!

Edwardian SuperHome in Carlton, click here.
This detached home has undergone an extensive eco-refurbishment bringing energy use and carbon emissions down below levels seen in many modern houses.

1960s detached SuperHome in West Bridgford, click here.
The poorly maintained and insulated house bought in 2000 has been transformed into a SuperHome through improved wall, floor and roof insulation as well as draught-proofing measures.

Booking in advance is essential for these free events, where visitors can expect to come away with plenty of energy saving ideas for their own home. To find out more and to register your interest visit www.superhomes.org.uk

Photo: The exterior of one Nottingham SuperHome.

Open Eco Homes event in May 2014

If you are interested in seeing inspiring examples of energy efficient homes, there are various events coming up across the UK in May.

Here in the East Midlands, we're joining in the fun as usual. There are plenty to choose from in Nottinghamsire and Derbyshire (here) and in Loughborough. 

Transition West Bridgford's Eco House Group has a number of interesting homes lined up and a few more to be confirmed. If you would like to receive an email invite once all our homes and opening dates and times are confirmed, just email wbecohouses@gmail.com to join the mailing list. Or check this website as every home will be featured here over the next 4 weeks and booking details will be provided.

Aiming for EnerPHit

In line with Superhomes week in September, we've decided to put some local case studies of low energy homes on the blog, some of which will open their doors to interested visitors (see previous posts)

Kate and Geoff's house in Derby is likely to become a Superhome very soon. This house is currently being refurbished to EnerPHit (the Passivhaus refurbishment standard).

This 1950s detached house is East-West facing and has been extended at some point to give 5 bedrooms, and a 1980s single storey extension. 

The refurbishment work includes insulation under floors, a "warm roof", external wall insulation (and some cavity wall insulation - rather odd original construction to say the least).

The work also includes Passivhaus-suitable triple glazing, a new boiler but some old radiators retained, lots

of water saving improvements, a recycled solar PV system, a tank suitable for adding solar hot water in the future, ...plus big fruit and vegetable plots, and ex-battery chickens!

Open house visits in September

Several local homes which have been built or refurbished to use less energy will be opening their doors during September to interested visitors. Visit and ask any questions you like.

Keep an eye on the website as additional houses and other details may be added in the next few days:

1st September
• 1950's ultra-low energy refurbishment (passivhaus) in Derby.
There will be a tour from 10.30am to noon and a later one from 1pm if numbers require a second tour.
(Child-friendly arrangements are possible here - just ask for details).

8th September
• Penney and Gil's 1890's house (now very low energy indeed) in West Bridgford
There will be a tour from 11.30am and 1.30pm,

• Edwardian home in Carlton - book your visit on 8th or 9th September via the Superhomes website: (http://www.superhomes.org.uk/superhomes/nottingham-carlton-mayfield-road/)

15th September
• David Hill's zero carbon barn conversion in East Leake (superinsulated, renewable technologies and now an electric car)
There will be a tour from 2pm,

16th September (10 mins walk between these two)
• 1950's ultra-low energy refurbishment (passivhaus) in West Bridgford
• Website (http://www.eco-retrofit.blogspot.co.uk/)
There will be a tour from 2pm and a later one from 3.30pm,

• 2000's house with cutting edge renewable technologies in West Bridgford, and a ultra-insulated extension under construction
• Website  (http://chargingtheearth.blogspot.com)
There will be a tour from 2pm and a later one from 3.30pm.

Unless indicated otherwise, contact wbecohouses@gmail.com 

for more details or to book your place.

Homes Behaving Badly!

Our new project, Homes Behaving Badly (HOBBs), is now under-way.

For all the details, do have a look at the press release. (we are very proud of it!)

We are busy preparing for the free HOBBs events in March, and to make that as relevant as possible for people who are considering home energy improvements, we have created a questionnaire.

If you would like to tell us a bit about your house and your home energy priorities, click here to take part in the questionnaire. (It is entirely up to you whether you provide your name or contact details, or complete it anonymously.)

If your home is not a paragon of energy-efficiency and comfort, the HOBBs project could be right up your street!

Tina and the HOBBs team

Low energy homes exhibition a success

On 21st January 2012, the exhibition of low energy homes attracted about 130 people interested in seeing the homes on show and listening to the talks. With stall-holders displaying a range of technologies from Rushcliffe Borough Council's light-bulb library to full scale home refurbishments and renewable technologies, there was a lot to see. To read about the stalls, talks and afternoon house tours in more detail, read the full write-up here.

A very big thank you must go to the exhibitors and a super team of Transition West Bridgford / Eco House Group volunteers who worked hard on the day to make it happen and to provide a warm welcome to the visitors.

This exhibition marks the final event in our "Eco Houses under Construction" series, but don't worry - there will be opportunities to see these homes and others in the future.

Thanks to our recent successful LEAF funding bid, there will be further house visits and a set of workshops due in March, so look out for our "Homes Behaving Badly" events. The idea is to make sure that these workshops are as relevant as possible to those who come along. Knowing that West Bridgford has more than its fair share of solid wall homes and large areas of cavity wall housing, different workshops will focus on different types of homes and the associated low, medium and high cost solutions to cut energy use.

As well as looking at all the feedback from the exhibition, we would like to know if you live in a cavity wall home or a solid wall home, and what issues and options you need to know about in more detail. A questionnaire is coming soon!

Eco Houses Under Construction - Event 4

The Coach House, a whole house refurbishment using passivhaus principles

On Sunday 2^nd October, a total of 17 visitors took part in a tour around a Victorian coach house which is now an advanced low energy home. Gil Schalom, who provided advice and architectural services on the project, gave a presentation explaining how this was achieved. He introduced the passivhaus modelling techniques used at the design stage, and included photos of the insulation and air tightness products as they were installed. 

For more details about this refurbishment project, click here

To receive an invitation to other events like this, contact Tina on info@wbecohouses.co.uk and ask to join the Eco House Group email list.

The Eco Houses Under Construction project is funded by Climate East Midlands, East Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership and Communities and Local Government with a Growing Climate Friendly Communities grant. It is delivered by the charity Groundwork East Midlands. 

Nottingham's growing group of Superhomes

The number of homes undergoing energy-efficiency retrofits is growing!

The Superhomes network showcases homes that have reduced their carbon emissions by at least 60%, and they have just celebrated the opening of the one hundredth superhome to join the network.

You can view details at http://www.superhomes.org.uk/, and using the "Find a Superhome near you" feature you will see that Nottingham now has 2 Superhomes and one aspiring superhome. (And there are more in the pipeline - including people who have been attending our local Eco House Group events).

This autumn, Superhomes all over the UK are open to the public - for example, Nottingham's newest Superhome, the one in Mapperley Park. This home is open on 2nd October and you can register to visit through the Superhomes website or via info@wbecohouses.co.uk (it is a combined event).

Eco Houses Under Construction – events 1 and 2

Interest in the first Eco Houses Under Construction event on 16th July is growing steadily, with over 30 places booked already. More places are available, and the events are free, so get in touch if you would like to take part. For the date and details of the second event, read on.

Event 1 reminder - Saturday 16th July at 12.30pm
This will give the architect’s perspective when designing an ultra-low energy refurbishment for a 1950’s brick house of solid wall construction.

Event 2 - Saturday 23rd July at 12.30pm DATE CHANGED TO 30th JULY
Architect Mike Siebert of Ecologic Homes Ltd. will talk about designing a low cost, high code new build using a timber frame construction. The frame arrives in early July and should be up by the date of the event! An expert from the building company, EcoFrames Ltd., will be on hand to demonstrate how this timber frame construction will provide insulation, air tightness and thermal mass while minimising cold bridging. The windows should also be in place and a representative of Benlowe Windows will talk about the properties of triple glazed windows suitable for use in Code 5+ homes. If the roof is on as well, there will be the chance to learn about wood fibre sarking boards and Sandtoft 20/20 sustainable tiles. To receive full details of this or any future event, email wbecohouses@gmail.com or info@wbecohouses.co.uk.

The Eco Houses Under Construction project is supported by Groundwork East Midlands with funding from Climate East Midlands, East Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership and Communities and Local Government with a Growing Climate Friendly Communities grant.

West Bridgford Summer Gathering

There is all sorts lined up for this year's Summer Gathering on Saturday 14th May (10am-4pm) in West Bridgford park, including the Eco House Group stall and other eco-information.

What will be there for me?
Food
Welbeck Farm Shop, Vegetarian, Cakes, Organic Vegetables,Tea, Coffee,
Olive Oil from Kalamata, Ice Cream, Curry Lounge.
Activities
Laser Tagging for the whole Family, Segway Slalom, Face Painting,
Maypole Dancing, Jo Jingles, Bits & Babs, Games Workshop,
Stone Bridge Farm & Things To Do In Nottingham.
Crafts
Jewellery by Helen Domleo, Eco Cards, Bags,
Moo Moos Clothing, T-Shirts, Trace the Rose, Iguazu, West Art & Glass.
Eco Information
Eco House Group, Renewable Energy, Bee Keepers, NCT, Gil Schalom Design,
Real Cycle, Carbon Legacy, Green Party, Solar Heat UK, Transition West Bridgford.
Health
Service Tree, The Healing Path, Body Talk, Reiki & Massage.
Charities
Women Of Influence.
Please walk / cycle or use public transport as parking spaces are limited
Help build a strong and sustainable community. Invite your
friends.

Eco-friendly Windows

Here a few facts about windows that I’ve come across on the quest to replace the 59 year old single glazed windows in my house.

Starting with glazing…

Single glazed windows have a u value of around 4-6 W/m2K

If you have good quality double glazed windows already, they may have a u value of around 2.1 W/m2K. (This is pretty similar to the u value of the walls in a house of solid brick construction)

Current building regulations vary for new build and retrofit so be sure to check what u value you require depending on your situation.

For really high spec windows, look for u values below 1 W/m2K. This makes sense in a well-insulated house where the walls have much lower u values than even the best windows.

I’ve got my eye on some windows with a u value of 0.6 for the glazing and about 0.75 for the whole window (EcoPassiv from the Green Building Store). A good window company should be able to tell you both u values.

And then the frames…

UPVC may be widespread, but it has its disadvantages.

The production of UPVC is highly toxic, and leads to toxic by-products. So far, UPVC windows are rarely recycled at the end of their 10-30 year life, and incineration is not an option. In the event of a fire, the toxic fumes are highly dangerous.

Timber framed windows can be far more environmentally friendly if the wood is from a sustainable source. Some come with very natural treatments to protect the outer frame from weather and the UV in sunlight, others are treated more heavily to delay the need for maintenance.

Aluminium cladding is a popular low-maintenance choice for some, but of course aluminium has a higher embodied energy which means a greater carbon footprint.
[Please see comment below]

The best windows now have a layer of insulation sandwiched between the outer and inner part of the frame. And there is an emerging range of ways to fix the windows in position to minimise cold bridging. But that’s a topic for another day.

Green DIY and eco-friendly materials

The 5th in a series of events held at South Notts College in Ruddington focused on green DIY in the home. Here is a short summary of the talks, and some useful facts are listed below. It’s a big topic so just a small selection included here.

Helen Hill introduced the complex topic of embodied energy, showing how hard it can be to compare the energy involved in the whole life cycle of one material against another. More details from her presentation will be included here soon.

Peter Padun talked about the advantages of eco-friendly paints for people and planet. These days it is easier to find “low VOC” paints than it used to be – but watch out for the other chemicals in the pot! Peter brought along examples and spoke about the paints that he’s found to be best from personal experience as a painter and decorator (see his website for more information: http://www.eco-decorator.co.uk).

Tina Holt gave a short introduction into eco-friendly windows, furniture and finding recycled building materials. Some of the details are already or will be on the Home page of this site.

Earthborn claypaint

Thanks to Jon (an Eco House Group regular) who has written a summary of his experiences with eco-friendly paint. Jon says...

I used some Earthborn claypaint recently, and was pleasantly surprised. I was a bit sceptical about trying out a new type of paint, and it was expensive compared with standard emulsion. I was painting new gypsum plaster (board finish) with a certain amount of white polyfilla spots where imperfections had been smoothed over.

I started with a 'mist coat' of 4 parts paint to 1 part water, as per the directions on the tin. The opacity was something else - it covered all of the polyfilla perfectly, unlike a normal emulsion mist coat. After overnight drying, I started to apply a second coat. I did some of the room but after lunch, when the second coat was mostly dry, it was almost impossible to see the difference between the walls with one coat and those with two. At that point I decided not to finish the second coat and it's definitely not noticeable (a few other people have looked at it and agreed).

I reckon that if you can get away with one coat then it probably works out much cheaper than conventional emulsion, and certainly so if the cost of labour is included. I haven't worked out what coverage I acheived, but I did a fairly large room, including ceiling, with 5 litres (plus 1.25l water) for the first coat. The finish is very matt and the colour very nice.

Application is just the same as emulsion - brush and roller - and washing equipment is done in water and probably marginally more easily than emulsion. Also the paint doesn't seem to suffer from the same problem of drying onto the sides of the roller tray.

All in all, I'd recommend it and would use it again. It's not readily available over the counter locally as far as I know, but I have contacts in Bourne, Lincs and bought it from a family-run decorators supplier there called Stringers. It can be purchased mail order. The website is www.earthbornpaints.co.uk.

Mini event on renewables

For anyone who missed the recent event on Renewables, or for anyone who has further questions, there will be a “mini event” at the Test Match Pub on Friday 3rd December at 7.30pm. All are welcome, feel free to bring friends along too.

If you can give me an idea of which renewable(s) interest you, it would be handy (info@wbecohouses.co.uk). There will be at least one installer present and he has expertise in all realistic options for houses.

Interview with Jenny Johnston

Installation of PV panels in September 2010.

Jenny has been along to a few Eco House Group events and has recently installed photovoltaic panels (PV) on her roof. Tina Holt asked her a few questions:

When did you start considering putting PV panels on your roof?
I first considered putting PV panels on my roof when I heard about Rushcliffe Solar via Transition West Bridgford. I had considered solar panels for heating hot water previously but decided the amount of hot water I used did not make it worthwhile.

What was your main motive for installing PV?
My main motive was to lower my carbon footprint but also think it is a good investment as I will gain tax free income equivalent to any rate of interest available at the moment and it should increase the value of my bungalow if I need to sell.

How did you get the information that you needed? Who did you talk to, etc?
I received most of my information from the Rushcliffe Solar team.

What made you choose EvoEnergy?
EvoEnergy was one of the companies Rushcliffe Solar approached for a quotation for me. They seemed to offer the best value for money for the number of panels appropriate for my roof.

When was the install and how long did it take?
Monday 27 September - Scaffolding erected
Tuesday 28 Panels fitted to roof and main electrical work carried out

Ken Clarke visits Jenny's house,
as an example of a PV installation
19th Nov 2010.

Wednesday 29 Electrician returned for less than hour and put installation into commission and explained everything to me
Thursday 30 Scaffolding removed

How did you find it in terms of disruption etc?
There was no disruption to speak of. The only internal work was in my roofspace. The electrician ran cables from panels to inverter etc in the garage via the loft area so no cables visible from outside.

What would you say to someone else considering doing the same thing?
“Go for it” The initial outlay is high but I am hoping both the environmental and financial rewards will also be high.

Evening Seminar -- Prioritising your eco-refurbishment actions:

Prioritising your eco-refurbishment actions: Environmentally? Financially? Logically?

Tuesday 14th September 2010
7.30-9.30pm
SNC Training, South Notts College
Mere Way, Ruddington Fields Business Park, NG11 6JZ


You are invited to a free evening seminar for an introduction to eco-refurbishment options small and large. What saves money straight away? What’s a good financial investment for the future? What are the most environmentally friendly options? How do you work out what to do now and what to do later?
Including

• The likely future of energy costs
• Home comfort in a future climate
• A whole house approach to eco-refurbishment
• Low-cost and no-cost options for saving cash and carbon

Speakers: Michael Siebert, Architect and Tim Saunders, Energy Saving Trust
Come along, invite your friends. All welcome.
If you can, please email info@wbecohouses.co.uk so we know how many to expect.

Directions: Follow Mere Way through Ruddington Fields Business Park. Pass the first SNC building on the left, and take the next turning to the second SNC Training building. It has a distinctive suspended curved wall with car parking beneath it. Park here or on the roadside.
Buses to Ruddington village: Ruddington Connection (Trent Barton) & No. 10 (Nott City Transport)

The Eco House Group is a project inspired by Transition West Bridgford. For more info, go to www.transitionwb.co.uk

Hi, and welcome to the Eco House Group blog.

Here is the invite that’s been emailed out in July 2010 to everyone who has already joined the group. If you’d like to join too, just email me: info@wbecohouses.co.uk

Before I go ahead and arrange the first get-together for the group, it would be useful to have some idea of what everyone in the group wants from it!

It is your group so please feel free to make suggestions on topics of interest to you, and the kind of activity that you would find useful. If anyone has bright ideas on how to run and organise the group, please add those too.

I’ll start with a bit about me and why I set it up, plus the things that most interest me. If you could reply with an equivalent summary from your perspective, and perhaps a suggestion of what our first meeting should involve, that would be great.

Why?

My partner and I are about to embark on an extension and radical eco-retrofit of our 1952 solid brick house. We are currently considering whether it would be technically and financially feasible to bring it up to passivhaus standard.

I thought it would be great to have the chance to talk to others who have fitted or are considering fitting eco-features (retrofit or new build), hence forming the group!

Topics of interest:

□ External insulation
□ Airtight membrane and MVHR (if going to passivhaus standard)
□ Solar PV
□ Solar hot water
□ Double or triple glazed windows (not uPVC)
□ Internal insulation for loft conversion
□ Water saving devices (low flow etc)
□ Green / brown roof (for extension)

□ Ground source / air source heat pump, hybrid source.

□ Other technologies e.g. Ground source / air source heat pump, Lexin panels, etc

First meeting:
Maybe this could be just a chance to meet up, mingle, and get to know who is interested in what. Or not… what do you think?

Subsequent meetings:

Things like talks from independent experts. Maybe have gatherings to compare suppliers and experiences on specific topics (so someone interested in solar hot water doesn’t have to sit through a long discussion on external insulation, for example!!). We may even get to the point of evaluating and purchasing as a group, if this gets us what we want to have, but cheaper.

If there is anyone else you know who would like to join us, just ask them to email me so I can add them to the list.

Kind regards

Tina