Homeowners in North Somerset are overcoming barriers to domestic energy efficiency, following support from the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE). Through guided home tours, trained CSE staff advise homeowners on the best approach for energy efficiency improvements, often called ‘retrofit’, and highlight common issues. Homeowners can gain valuable insight before they install new measures intended to make their homes cosier, cheaper to heat and more environmentally friendly.
The events are part of the National Local Energy Advice Demonstrator or LEAD project which is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and managed by the South West Net Zero Hub. CSE was one of five organisations from across the South West region to be awarded LEAD funding to provide innovative in-person energy advice to households in their local areas.
Guided tours through open home events
Recently, CSE collaborated with Climate and Community Action Dundry and Sustainable Clevedon to host ‘not-yet-green’ open homes events. These events aim to showcase homes with few existing energy efficiency improvements to explore possibilities and common problems that might pose a challenge.
One of these homes belonged to Tim and Annemieke. CSE’s Steve and Amy were on hand to lead a group of neighbours around their home. Steve examined problem areas for damp, mould, faulty insulation and draughts and gave attendees the chance to ask questions and share experiences of their own homes.
A known issue for Tim and Annemieke was their cold and damp extension from the 1970s. As well as causing heat loss to their home, Tim discovered that the cavity wall was filled with vermiculite, an outdated insulation material that retains water, causing damp. Tim had been at a loss for what to do but Steve was able to advise Tim, and the group, on methods to remove inappropriate insulation. Read the full story on the CSE website.
Annemieke was delighted:
“I didn’t know you could remove old wet cavity insulation. I thought we needed to knock the whole wall down which would be much pricier than just taking out the vermiculite!
I learned a lot through the event, and I was also really interested in the discussion with everybody about their own homes.”
Other support to raise awareness of retrofit in North Somerset
‘Not-yet-green’ open home events are part of CSE’s pilot project exploring innovative approaches to in-person home energy advice in North Somerset. CSE also hosts ‘green’ open home events for homes that have had energy efficiency improvements. As well as home tours, the project offers financial support for householders to obtain professional home surveys. A retrofit expert examines their home and advises on improvements based on their specific aims, what their home is like and their budget.
CSE also offers free Retrofit Basics training to upskill members of the community to act as retrofit champions to their friends and neighbours. A recent participant, who plans to open her home in an upcoming event, reflected: “I didn’t realise that retrofit meant more than just insulation and heat pumps!” She added that she now feels more confident speaking to guests who’ll visit her home as part of a Bath & West Community Energy open home event in autumn.
Steve Cole, manager of the project, said:
“What’s really innovative is that the people we are speaking with want insulation and to lower their carbon footprint. But we know one-size-fits-all retrofit measures don’t work for the variety of homes we have in the UK. Old buildings often have leaky gutters, draughty windows and mouldy, wet walls. When people leap ahead with modern insulation, trying to do the right thing, they often exacerbate the moisture issues in these old homes.
The open home events are a perfect way to tactfully discuss these issues with neighbours who are likely to have similar problems.”
Keep an eye out for lots more events as part of this project coming up in the greater West of England area
- CSE is working with Climate and Community Action Dundry and Sustainable Clevedon to host more open home events in Autumn.
- They have also partnered with Portishead Council to host ‘Portishead Energy Expo Day’ in Autumn to raise awareness of energy efficiency in traditional homes.
- Community groups in North Somerset will be offered the opportunity to attend a training day offered by the Tywi Centre in Weston super Mare in November.
For more information about Not Yet Green Open Homes and CSE’s LEAD work, check out their website or contact the team directly at WoE-EnergyDemo@cse.org.uk.
