Local Eco Homes Event Triples Numbers in Second Year

A local event designed to save people money on their energy bills and make their homes warmer, has tripled the number of people getting involved in just its second year. More than 300 people visited energy efficient homes taking part inNottinghamshire and Derbyshire Eco Open Homes Week during May - up from less than 100 at a pilot event in 2013. The eventsaw 15 households and people from two other buildings, all of whom have installed energy efficient and renewable features, open their doors to inspire others to improve their own homes.

Visitors were able to talk to householders, and in some cases architects and installers, about their experience of improving their homes and living in them. A range of houses were on display:

• In one 1990’s home the householder had cut their bills in half by spending £3000 on a new boiler, cavity wall and loft insulation and some draught-proofing.

• Measures for which there are currently government grants, such as solid wall insulation, were on display.

• Two homes were mid-refurbishment meaning that visitors could get a direct sense of the work involved in making a home more energy efficient.

• One householder had recorded a 2°C difference in temperature simply by installing thermally lined blinds.

• People also had the chance to visit a purpose built row of five eco homes, seven research homes at the University of Nottingham and a community-owned hydro project which provides power a local supermarket.

One visitor commented: '

Caroline Harmon of Marches Energy Agency, organisers of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Eco Homes Open Week, said: 

Details of future events will be posted on our website: www.everybodys-talking.org/ecohomes