People who have installed energy-efficient measures in their homes, such as solar panels, heat pumps and water recycling, are set to showcase them to the public this autumn.
Air source heat pumps outside a home
The properties will be on show as part of a series of Green Open Homes events.
A programme of events is being led by Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council, Buro Happold, Bath Preservation Trust and Transition Bath, working with community partners in areas across Bath and the surrounding area.
The first will take place on 14th September with residents showcasing seven homes in Pensford, Belluton and Norton Malreward. The Memorial Hall in Pensford will host an Ask the Expert session with staff from Bath & North East Somerset Council, Good Energy and Bath & West Community Energy available to answer questions, discuss ideas and give advice on the next steps.
Other planned events include:
- Saturday 21st September in Peasedown St John, with an Ask the Expert session at The Hive Community Centre and three open homes to visit;
- Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th October in Bath with 18 showcase homes;
- Saturday 19th October at the Trinity Hub in Radstock.
The events aim to showcase a variety of housing types, including listed buildings, that have introduced a range of solutions from low-cost DIY methods such as draft proofing and smart power controls to more extensive options such as wall insulation and triple glazing.
The web page for each event includes brief descriptions of the properties open for viewing and the energy efficiency measures that have been added.
On the day, visitors will be able to examine the technology and ask questions of the homeowners to learn about different solutions, the installation process and the prospective energy savings to gain an understanding of how they could improve the energy performance and sustainability of their own homes.
Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate emergency and sustainable travel, said: “We are pleased to be involved in this series of Green Open Homes events across Bath and North East Somerset and I want to thank all of the residents who are opening their homes to visitors and sharing their knowledge and experience and also all the volunteers who will be helping on the day.
“We have seen how previous events have empowered residents to take steps to make their homes more energy efficient and affordable to heat and in the long run, all these individual changes will help us to meet our climate emergency commitments.”
The council was previously involved in Bath Green Homes open weekends that ran in 2011, 2012 and 2014, with each event involving 15-20 open homes and more than 700 visitors. Last year’s event in Bath saw just under 800 people visit 22 homes in Bath and the Chew Valley.
Everyone is invited to attend the events, and you can find out more information and details on each of the showcase properties on the Green Open Homes B&NES website here.
