Wight Community Energy are pleased to announce Green Open Homes, a new project to help boost homeowner’s knowledge of practical energy efficiency measures.
Following successful experiences in other parts of the UK, WCE want to bring together people who have transformed their homes and those who are unsure where to start. We are seeking proud homeowners who will offer to open their homes to others and share their experiences.
Energy efficient homes are more comfortable, cheaper to run and less impactful on the environment, but many people don’t know where to start on their energy efficiency journey. This scheme will enable the public to speak directly with homeowners about their experiences with different energy efficiency measures and help to demystify making homes warmer and cheaper to run.
During two weekends in March and April, Wight Community Energy will run a Green Open Homes event modelled on the successful Centre for Sustainable Energy project of the same name. www.greenopenhomes.net
If so, then please do get in contact with stephen@iowcommunityenergy.org
WCE’s manager Stephen will be opening his home for this event.
“I live in a 1960’s chalet style bungalow on the Ventnor Undercliff.
In the seven years I have lived in this house I have transformed it from a chilly building (woolly hats in bed!) into a comfortable family home. The EPC (energy performance certificate) has gone from an F to a C.”
This chalet style construction is a common building type on the island so many of the things learnt would be relevant to thousands of local homes.
“I have insulated every nook and cranny, added solar panels and recently a heat pump which is working out brilliantly, but not everything has gone so well and I’ll be happy to talk about those bits too!”
This is a comprehensively resourced project with a detailed model available for us to follow, including detailed guidance on safeguarding, bookings, insurance, risk management and so on, so we can assure all participants that they will be in safe hands!
All participating homeowners will be able to choose exactly which hours they make their homes available and can choose between ‘open doors’ and booked time slots. They will also be invited to meet us and each other in-person at a meeting that we will hold before the event.
Full details can be found here: https://www.greenopenhomes.net
Funding:
Funding to administer the project has been provided by Power to Change, the organisation set up to grow and support community businesses in England.
