Old home, super home: energy tour of Walsall Ecohouse

Event Description: Of particular interest to those with solid walls (houses built before about 1930), but also covers heating and controls and electricity.

The owners, Martin and Jane Normanton  started reducing their CO2 emissions  in 1999 by installing a condensing boiler and complete new heating system and controls (to the 2005 Building Regulations). They were pleasantly surprised to find that this halved their heating costs and emissions!

Martin stresses the importance of implementing the most cost effective measures first, to get the maximum carbon savings (and cost savings) for your budget. In 1999 he looked into renewable technologies in detail, but the payback periods were so long that he settled somewhat reluctantly for a gas condensing boiler and complete new central heating system. He was very pleasantly surprised to halve the gas bills immediately. Just as important as technical energy efficiency is a mindset of using energy carefully, i.e. having good controls and using them to the full.

Electricity use has fallen due to more efficient lights and appliances, and also more careful use of them following purchase of a plug-in energy meter which measures the electricity use of individual appliances. This device revealed some nasty shocks (psychological ones), and led to the dishwasher and tumble drier being banned.

Their annual gas bill has fallen to £180 (75% reduction) and electricity to £250 (60% reduction).

Last entries at 8pm.
Date: 5 June
Venue: Gorway Road, Walsall, WS1 (full address given on booking)
Time: 17:30 - 20:30

More info: http://ecovation.org.uk/

How to book: Booking essential. Email martin.normanton@tiscali.co.uk or call 01922 612625. There will be a voluntary £1 donation to the Tree Aid charity which works in Africa.