The Bath Green Homes’ popular Open Homes Weekend is back on 27th and 28th September, showcasing an exciting range of energy efficient homes in and around Bath.
Bath Green Homes is organised by Transition Bath, Bath Preservation Trust and Bath & North East Somerset Council, and sponsored by Curo and Crest Nicholson.
All the homes are free to visit, although some do require booking, and some are only open on one of the days. Pick up a leaflet map check the website www.bathgreenhomes.co.uk or call 01225 477528 for full details and visiting arrangements.
Councillor Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of the Council, said: “The open homes weekend is a great opportunity to get inspiration for how you could improve your own home.
“Many of the homes have not been open to the public before, so this is a rare chance to see a fantastic variety of measures that can make a home warmer, greener and cheaper to run.”
With 18 places to visit ranging from a rented flat showing the low and no cost things you can do, right up to whole house renovations, there is something inspiring for everyone to discover.
Karen Smith rents her 1970s flat (House 17, Saturday only, drop in) and was struggling with high energy bills, due mainly to the electric heating.
She said: “All the home improvements I’ve made and changes to the way I do things are no cost, low cost or portable, because I live in a rented flat. They are simple, cheap DIY actions anyone can do. It’s helped me keep my fuel bills below £300 a year.”
Tim Williamson lives in a Victorian home in Widcombe (House 12, Sunday only, drop-in) and has recently installed external wall insulation.
He said: “It’s definitely a drier house now. Before, when you touched the wall, it felt cold, and it often felt damp. As it’s a west facing wall, only one stone thick, and in a narrow alley, it never really dried. Now our house is a lot more comfortable!”
Visit the open homes to talk to people who have made their homes more energy efficient, find out about the costs and benefits, and see the results first-hand.
Over the weekend you can also pop into The Bath Green Homes Hub at the Building of Bath Collection on The Paragon to check out the exhibition with a special focus on draught proofing, LED lighting and thermal imaging.
Bath & North East Somerset Council Listed Buildings Officers will also be on hand to answer your questions about heritage homes.
If you are unable to attend the Open Homes Weekend, Bath Green Homes has a whole programme of associated events through the autumn including:
- Focus on solid wall Insulation, 15th October, 7pm, BRLSI Queens Square;
- Building sustainable homes, 22nd October, 7pm, Ralph Allen Yard;
- Improvong the energy efficiency of your home, 20th November, 7pm BRLSI Queens Square.
These events are free to attend although you do need to book.
If you would like free, impartial energy advice about your own home, to find out about grants and finance available to pay for home energy improvements, or to arrange a home energy assessment, call the new B&NES Energy at Home Advice Service 0800 038 5680 or visit www.energyathome.org.uk.
