News
Pedal Power Comes to Bolsover
Fri, 4 November 2011The Fantastic Home vehicle, complete with new energy bike, visited Bolsover District offices during
October to promote the council's new insulation scheme.
Aside from referring people to the Warmstreets scheme, the vehicle also allowed people to see how much energy they can produce by pedalling the brand new energy bike. A 14-year-old produced the most power – 477 Watts – which could power his Xbox, TV and speaker system... if he could keep pedalling for long enough to enjoy them!
Lunchtime was a very busy period with crowds around the trailer. We distributed lots of free energy saving items and advised people on their saving options in the home. A few people were on the wrong tariff for their electricity, and some needed referring for Warm Front grants.
Does Age Influence Views on Climate Change?
Wed, 19 October 2011A study at Loughborough University is being conducted about whether age influences people's knowledge attitudes and behaviour towards climate change. If you would be happy to spend 10 minutes of your time filling out a short survey to assist in the data collection please click on the link below:
The Number One Environmental Challenge Is…?
Wed, 19 October 2011On 13th October five experts debated what the number one environmental challenge of
the next 40 years is at an Earth Watch event entitled Mission Critical in London. Each will
present a case for a different issue –from food security to a zero carbon future. According
to the organizers the event will ‘give our audience an opportunity to consider some of
these serious issues, and some possible solutions in an entertaining and thought-
provoking format.”
Unsurprisingly the event is fully booked, but you can read the thoughts of some of the
speakers here: www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2011/oct/12/top-environmental-priori....
£60 Million Social Housing Solar Scheme
Wed, 19 October 2011Wrexham Council has announced a multi-million pound scheme to fit almost a third (3,000)
of its social houses with solar photovoltaic panels which will generate electricity. The
panels will save residents up to £200 a year on their energy bills. The panels will be
retrofitted on existing housing stock before tne end of March 2012 and will save up to 3000
tonnes of CO2 per year.
The panels will be supplied by a global company which has a panel factory in Wrexham.
They have launched a ‘Renewable Energy Academy’ to train 25 to 50 people a month,
giving electricians, roofers, building contractors and heating engineers the chance to
change career and move into the renewable energy sector.
Improving the Efficiency of Victorian and Georgian Homes
Wed, 19 October 2011The Centre for Sustainable Energy have produced a free guide to improving the energy
efficiency of Victorian and Georgian homes in the city of Bath, which may also be useful to
those living in similar homes in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
T
he publication has been written in conjunction with Bath Preservation Trusts and aims to
show how such homes in a city which is classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site can
be made more efficient without compromising their traditional character.