News

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Energy mentor offer for community projects

Thu, 11 December 2014

Hockerton Housing Project, a Nottinghamshire-based project, is delighted to join a new community energy mentoring service, adding to our range of advice services. The scheme will match existing and new community energy groups to mentors on the basis of the type of project and location, and there's a great range of experience to learn from.

www.hockertonhousingproject.org.uk

Thermal Imaging Available in Belper

Thu, 11 December 2014

Belper households have the opportunity to take advantage of Tranition Belper’s Thermal Imaging Service this winter. If you would like to find out where your home may be leaking heat contact the group: info@transitionbelper.org.

New Opportunity to Invest in Local Hydro Project

Thu, 11 December 2014

Local people have a rare opportunity to invest in a community-owned renewable energy project thanks to a new share offer from Torrs Hydro. Generating clean, green electricity since 2008, Torrs Hydro has been heralded as a shining example of what can be achieved through co-operative working. It is located in the Torrs Riverside Park in New Mills, Derbyshire. To date, it has generated over 880,000 KWh which is equivalent to over 380 Tonnes of CO2. The owner of the hydro-electric scheme is a volunteer run Community Benefit Society, a co-op, with around 230 members. The society took out a bank loan, as well as selling shares, to enable Torrs Hydro to build the hydro scheme. Now members want to sell more shares to raise money to pay off the balance of the loan. Paying off the loan early will release more funding for the local community.

New shareholders can invest as little as £250. Once this share offer ends opportunities to buy shares in this scheme are likely to be few. An ‘Invitation to Invest’ document is available online: www.torrshydro.org, by email: secretary@torrshydro.org, or by telephone (answering machine): 01663 898070.

 

New Derbyshire Eco Centre Courses

Thu, 11 December 2014

Jan - Feb 2015

Derbyshire Eco Centre
Middleton-by-Wirksworth 

Courses coming up in January and February 2015 include Permaculture Design Certificate, Introduction to Beekeeping, Family Bird Boxes Using Recycled Materials, Explore Renewable Energy, Organic Gardening and Introduction to Green Homes.

www.ecocentreexchange.org.uk

Green Deal Home Improvement Fund Relaunches

Mon, 8 December 2014

A new round of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF) will open for applications at 9am on Wednesday 10th December.

Up to £5,600 will be available to households in England and Wales to help with the cost of installing energy saving measures such as solid wall insulation, double glazing, boilers, cavity wall insulation and floor insulation. Domestic energy customers can now receive:

  • up to £4000 for installing solid wall insulation (note that this has dropped from £6000 in the first round);
  • up to £1000 for installing two measures from an approved list;
  • up to £100 refunded for their Green Deal Assessment;
  • up to £500 more if applying within 12 months of buying a new home.

Up to £30 million in vouchers will be available and details of further releases will be announced on a quarterly basis with the next release expected in February 2015. The £30 million will be split into two categories:

  • Up to £24 million for solid wall insulation;
  • Up to £6 million for two measures from a list of home improvements available under the scheme.

Once the funding under each category has been committed, no more applications will be taken for that category – though applications will still be taken for the other category if funds are still available.

 

 

 

 

 

Making an Application

To complete the two-stage application process, householders will need:

  • A Green Deal Advice Report (GDAR) or Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that is less than two years old
  • A quote from a GDHIF registered installer or provider for work specified on the GDAR or EPC and included on the list of GDHIF approved measures
  • Proof of property ownership (for landlords/undertakings only)

Householders are encouraged to get more than one quote, particularly when they are having expensive work done, to make sure they are getting the best deal available.

Funds are Limited

Funds are limited and DECC may vary the terms of the scheme (including the incentive rates) or suspend or close the scheme, with immediate effect, without notice and at any time as happened earlier this year.

More information about how to apply to the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund.