News
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Eco Householders Open Their Doors to the Public
Mon, 25 February 2013Residents living in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire have the opportunity to visit real eco homes on their own
doorstep this spring. Householders across the two counties who have made their homes more eco friendly will open their doors to inspire the public between 2nd and 10th March as part of the first ever Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire EcoHomes Open Week.
doorstep this spring. Householders across the two counties who have made their homes more eco friendly will open their doors to inspire the public between 2nd and 10th March as part of the first ever Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire EcoHomes Open Week.Visitors will be able to see improvements including solar panels, solid wall insulation, a straw bale extension, air source heat pumps, grey water recycling systems, vegetable growing and much more. Measures which can be funded by the government’s new Green Deal and ECO will be on display. As well as many ordinary homes, the week also involves the opportunity to visit a community-owned hydro project in Derbyshire; some research eco homes at the University of Nottingham; the Derbyshire Eco Centre, an environmental learning centre near Wirksworth; and the Gloworm training centre in Belper.
Caroline Harmon of Marches Energy Agency, one of the organisations behind the event, said: 'This is a fantastic opportunity to visit real eco homes in your own community and get inspired to make your own home more environmentally friendly and cheaper to heat. It will be a bit like an Open Gardens Day, but householders will be showing off their insulation and solar panels instead of their sunflowers and chrysanthemums!’
Details of houses which are open, and when, are listed on the event’s website:
SuperHomes Week – 16th-24th March
Wed, 13 February 2013
Pioneering owners of some of the UK’s most eco-friendly SuperHomes will host free Open Days in March. SuperHomes are older homes refurbished by their owners for greater comfort, lower bills and far fewer carbon emissions - at least 60% less! Achieving such a high standard requires major home improvements. In short, this is a chance to see eco renovation at its impressive best. Visitors can expect to come away with plenty of ideas for greening their own properties. They’ll also gain a better understanding of the home improvements now eligible for Green Deal finance. Most SuperHomes have superior insulation; many have alternative heating sources and some produce their own energy. Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and post-war properties are amongst those open to the public. Visitors will learn more about both the benefits and challenges of eco renovation. SuperHomers are genuine early adopters who can speak from experience.
Climate Week – 4th-10th March
Wed, 13 February 2013
Climate Week is Britain’s biggest climate change campaign, inspiring a new wave of action to create a sustainable future. Culminating in a week of activities, it showcases practical solutions from every sector of society. Each year, half a million people attend 3,000 events in Britain’s biggest ever environmental occasion. Events are run by schools, businesses, charities, councils and many others. You can help accelerate action on climate change by making Climate Week happen where you are. Ask an organisation or group you know to start planning an activity now for Climate Week in March 2013.
Community Green Deal and ECO Resources Launched
Wed, 13 February 2013
The authors of Plan Local, a resource for communities interested in community-owned renewable projects and community-led planning, have produced a new resource to help communities keen to explore how they might engage with the Green Deal and ECO. CSE explain:‘We want to see community groups taking the lead in promoting the Green Deal within their own neighbourhoods, enabling people to access loans for energy efficiency improvements, reducing carbon emissions and improving quality of life in their own neighbourhoods. So, we've launched a whole new PlanLoCaL resource pack and have overhauled the website to bring it all together.’
The new resources (there are 88 of them!) can be downloaded for free: www.planlocal.org.uk.
Carbon Reduction Manager Required
Wed, 13 February 2013New College in Nottingham is recruiting a Carbon Reduction Manager: .