Eco-Village info
Tuesday, 09 February 2010 00:00
We currently face many problems in the way we use heat and energy in our homes.

The three main problems are:
  • Insecure Energy Supply - Growing demand on oil and gas worldwide and reducing unstable supplies.
  • Increasing Costs - The increasing costs of gas and electricity means that we are spending more of our income on fuel bills and some of the population cannot afford to pay their fuel bills.
  • Pollution - the green house gases such as carbon emissions generated by the energy we use pollutes the environment and causes climate change. Climate Change causes sea waters to rise and extreme weather conditions such as floods, draughts and tropical storms which badly affect the lives of humans, animals and plants.
    Click here to find out more
    (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Thewiderenvironment/Climatechange/DG_072879)
    Click here to watch a short film about climate change by Climate challenge.gov.uk
    (http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=3HFCI4ipUyg)
The plan is for South Lozells to become an ‘Eco-Village’ by working with owner occupiers and landlords to put energy-saving technologies at the heart of our regeneration plans for all homes in Lozells, and changing the attitudes and behaviour of residents and working collectively to be more environmentally friendly, reduce waste, save energy and reduce carbon emissions. A ‘Lozells Climate Change Action Plan’ will be developed later this year and residents will be consulted in the development of the plan at The Lozells Climate Change Community Conference that will be held in Autumn 2009.

The government put out its Heat and Energy Saving Strategy (link to Heat & Energy Saving Strategy Page)for consultation in February 2009, which aims to achieve near zero carbon emissions from all homes by 2050. This will be achieved by saving energy and reducing carbon emissions in homes now and into the future. For more information visit the governments website. (http://hes.decc.gov.uk/)

We already have a number of projects underway that will contribute to the City Councils and Governments aim and have identified a number of sites to pilot the use of energy saving measures.

The current Eco-Projects in South Lozells are:
Whole House Eco Refurbishment
Work is underway to create a pilot Eco-Terrace on Carpenters Road. The work on each house will vary from whole house energy saving measures such as insulated walls, floors and hot water solar systems to changes to internal layout and loft and rear extensions.(See Eco-Terraces)

Free Solar Panels
Family Housing Association with support from Urban Living, are installing free solar panels into the homes of some local homeowners who find it hard to pay heating and lighting bills (known as fuel poverty’). See Free Solar Panels Page in the newsletter.

Free Local Energy Saving Advice
All residents will get free advice on environmentally friendly household features, and will be shown energy saving systems to help them reduce their fuel bills through a home visit service run by Family Housing Association supported by Urban Living. See Free Energy Saving Advice Page in the newsletter.

How You Can Help Fight Climate Change and Save Money
Individuals are responsible for about 40 per cent of emissions in the UK that contribute to climate change. The biggest sources are energy use in the home, driving and air travel. See how you can reduce your own carbon emmissions. Click here http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/actonco2/home.html

Carbon Calculator
See how much your carbon footprint is and how you can make simple changes to fight Climate Change. Calculate Your Carbon Footprint here: http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/index.html

Home Energy Check
Give your home a check up and you could save around £340 per year by visiting the Energy Savings Trust website here: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/proxy/view/full/165/homeenergycheck

Green Living
You can also find practical ideas to help you make everthing a bit greener, from your home to the contents of your shopping basket on Directgov website.http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Greenerlivingaquickguide/DG_064391)

10 Easy Measures
You can find out the ten easy ways to save energy, money and help prevent climate change on the Energy Savings Trust Website http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/What-can-I-do-today/Getting-started

Eco-Terrace - see these pages in the newsletter

 

Free Solar Panels - see this page in the newsletter

 

Eco Pilot Areas - see these pages in the newsletter

Free Energy Saving Advice - refer to this page in the newsletter