Green Homes tour in demand from council staff
Home Energy Scotland has this month teamed up with The Highland Council to give employees interested in learning more about renewables systems a tour of local Green Homes.
The homes are part of the Scottish Government’s Green Homes Network which features 750 homes across Scotland, from traditional hard-to-treat family homes, to beautifully designed, sustainable eco-builds.
The new initiative was an instant success with a group of 19 taking up the opportunity to visit up to four properties - three on the Black Isle and another near Nairn - on Saturday 9th November, accounting for a total of 74 visits.
Tour organiser, Mhairi MacSween from Home Energy Scotland’s Highlands and Islands advice centre, said: “Local homeowners had the opportunity to showcase the renewables systems and energy efficiency measures that are saving them money every day. Staff on the tour got to see and hear first-hand about their experiences of installing a wind turbine, heat pumps, a wood fuelled boiler, solar thermal and photo-voltaic systems.
“The day also featured a newly constructed A-rated passive house which uses very little energy for heating and cooling. There they found out about the actual costs and savings, and got free tips and advice that could help them on their way to building or installing themselves.
“We are now looking to work with another local employer to offer staff a similar tour and we would be delighted to hear from organisations who would like to work with us to offer a similar opportunity.”
Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Drew Hendry said: “The day before the tour we hosted the first Carbon CLEVER Conference at which delegates were asked the question – “What will we do tomorrow to reduce carbon emissions?” I therefore think it was very apt that the next day our staff had the chance to see first-hand and learn more about what is being done by home owners in the Highlands to reduce their carbon footprint.
“Carbon CLEVER Highlands is an ambitious project that has a target of a carbon neutral Inverness in a low carbon Highlands by 2025. For this to happen we need to embrace all the energy efficiency measures we can. With fuel prices on the up, we cannot afford financially or environmentally to sit back but instead we need to become much more proactive and creative in harnessing and using energy.
“In my summing up at the conference I told delegates that the event was “just the start of the conversation” and we now look forward to other partners, including Home Energy Scotland, joining with the Council to make a real difference in the Highlands.”
If you would like to visit a Green Home, or find out more about renewables in general, get in touch with Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or visit greenhomesnetwork.org.uk
Home Energy Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Energy Saving Trust.