High level (external) surveying of property types across our area – this will involve external surveys of properties across the Upper Eden parishes.  This work is to be delivered by a third party supplier and every attempt will be made to notify residents of this surveying work before it commences.  Not all properties will be surveyed as we are using a sampling technique to build a picture of the area.

In depth surveying of 3 of each property types as identified in the high level surveys – This work will be more in depth and will require access to the home by a third party supplier to conduct the survey and make recommendations of measures that will improve the thermal qualities of that property type.   These properties will be chosen from an existing list of property owners who have already engaged with the project via our Thermal Imaging work we delivered in November 2011.  Where possible we plan to distribute this surveying work evenly across the Upper Eden Parishes.

Road Show of events -  highlighting ways in which property owner can improve their household insulation and also introducing the governments ‘Green Deal’ which is expected to be available to property owners from October 2012. We expect to be running a total of 5 events across the area over the weeks commencing the 12^th & 19^th March.  These events will be scattered across Upper Eden and advertised via the local media, internet marketing and door to door flyers.  Watch this space!

Development of a community owned renewable energy project – This will be focusing on the further development of the Wharton Wind energy project.  This project has already begun to gather data for a possible wind turbine in the parish; the Local Energy Assessment Fund will produce a business plan for that project and prepare the project for delivery.

Similar to the Feed In Tariffs for electricity generation, the RHI is a long term incentive for heat generation.

There is also support of around £15 million for households through the Renewable Heat Premium Payment, is an upfront payment to help with installation of schemes.

For more information visit the Department for Energy and Climate Change webpages

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable_ener/incentive/incentive.aspx

Click the resources tab for more info.

Organised by the Penrith-based charity Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), the festival brings together a programme of around 60 free events across the county that raise awareness of the opportunities to create a more sustainable future.  The events provide a unique opportunity to visit sites which are which are not normally accessible to the public, from improvements in private homes to large scale energy generation.

Appealing to a wide variety of Cumbrian residents, from home owners, farmers, businesses and those involved in community buildings, the on-site events will demonstrate installations of air source and ground source heat pumps, photovoltaic solar systems, biomass heating systems, and reed beds for waste water treatment.  There will be site visits to see complete refurbishments of off-grid farmhouses, renewable energy installations in village halls, factory tours of hydro turbine manufacturers, tours of ecohomes and carbon neutral buildings and trips to those hard to heat, traditional stone built homes.

Georgina Byles, of CAfS commented “We are all aware of ever-increasing fuel costs and one of aims of the festival is to show people the alternatives.  For instance, heating can be provided by log burning or pellet burning boilers or by air source or ground source heat pumps, not just oil and gas. The festival is not just for those trying to save the planet! By adopting renewable energy resources we can save money, even make money, and future-proof your house or building.”

“There are a wealth of resources within the green build industry right here on our doorstep in Cumbria, that I’m sure most of us are unaware of! From inspirational architects, innovative builders, and renewable energy providers, right through to the householders who have completed their projects and have offered to host an event at their own home.”

The festival runs until 25^th September. The full programme for the festival can be found via a dedicated website at www.cumbriagreenbuild.org.uk. All events are free of charge but spaces are limited so must be booked via the website.

We have just appointed a new Events and Communications Officer, Georgina Byles. She will be joining us at the end of the month, bringing with her significant events and marketing experience from her previous role at Rheged.

We are all looking forward to having her on the team.

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