Four pro-active South Shropshire Housing Association (SSHA) families have agreed to take part in a pilot project, with the aim to demonstrate that real people can engage with the issue of sustainable energy.

Each household uses a different heating fuel, and will be tracked over several months to see how they can save energy and money, whilst doing their bit for the planet.
Energy audits have led to action plans, and training has been provided to help families understand how to make their homes more energy efficient.

David Hunt (pictured), a tenant from Bishop Castle, is taking part in this pilot because: "It is an eye opener for my children to understand the value of energy, whilst it is an interesting experience for us to know where the energy goes. This pilot will increase our awareness of energy efficiency, and will help us save money."

Not only will these energy champions benefit from lower fuel bills, but also from an improvement in their skills. They now use a plug-in energy monitor, a real-time energy monitor, and log onto www.wesave.org.uk to work out their carbon footprint and find ways of reducing it. This could potentially have a wider impact on their respective communities, once they start sharing their experience and knowledge.

The project, which started in February 2010, is funded by SSHA and is delivered by Marches Energy Agency.

Housing associations that would like to take part in a similar project are welcome to contact the Project Manager: sylvia@mea.org.uk

In partnership with

Attendance: 8 - Co-operative Regional Energy Manager, District Energy Champion and 6 Area Energy Champions

This was the second of twenty sessions that MEA are delivering on behalf of the EST to Co-operative Retail District and Area Energy Champions Nationwide. The sessions are run in a tag team format with the Regional Energy Manager addressing store issues and the MEA representative covering more general climate change and energy issues especially relating to the home.

The session starts with an overview of Co-operative Retail's energy challenges, aspirations and action so far. It then moves on to looks at issues in store and around the home, looking in detail at the solutions. Attendees all have prefilled a Home Energy Check form and the responses to this are used in an exercise before lunch to find out responses to the feedback they have received and discuss what issues this raises. In parallel, a Store Health Check form is also reviewed.

After lunch there is a quick case study quiz looking at a typical family home and some issues in store. Points are awarded for identifying the issues and the correct responses to them.

We then review how the energy champion network will cascade the training to all staff and do some more exercises dealing with how to identify people's motivations and how to talk to people about energy.

This was quite a different set of people, with again only one of the bunch having heard of the Energy Saving Trust before. All were highly motivated and switched on by the end of the day's sessions. Detailed feedback given on store and home issues and the links between the two very solidly hammered home.

We had a rather hilarious ‘airing dirty laundry session' where several energy gaffes were revealed that had been uncovered recently - a suspended ceiling that was removed to reveal another lighting rig, that still worked and some lights were on; a water heater left permanently on, two floors above the trading floor that was never used and lastly; a spare extractor fan that was turned off to save the store £5,000 per year. It was also useful to note that although many stores have been refitted recently and had upgrades, most of the energy savings that have been made in this district have been through the housekeeping actions of the energy champions network, not through the installation of clever kit.

The district area champion was particularly encouraging with his positive and professional attitude to the task in hand. The long-term aims of the project are to cascade this training to all staff of Co-operative retail, including distribution and completion of Home Energy Check forms. In one region alone, stores have a combined energy bill of nearly £10m and a target to reduce energy use by 25% by 2012 - this training will go a long way to ensuring that this can be realised and well as impacting on domestic energy use as well.

Our newest team, Low Carbon Enterprise (LCE) launches its website today.

LCE are our sustainable energy experts, working with businesses, loca authorities, charities and community groups, and public and third sector organisations.

They are able to offer a range of services to help you and your organisation reduce its carbon emissions, be more sustainable and also save money.  From initial energy assessments of buildings to providing expert advice on energy saving measures and renewable technologies.

Visit the new website www.lowcarbonenterprise.org.uk or download a leaflet to find out more

Despite the cold, the sun warmed us up in Budgen's Car Park in Melbourne for the second Light Fantastic Event for South Derbyshire District Council. We had a steady flow of visitors throughout the day who were able to receive detailed advice on everything from light bulbs to feed in tariffs, warm front grants to draught proofing. Representatives from South Derbyshire Council were also able to refer visitors for insulation surveys, and hopefully subsequent installations. Staff of the store also came out for advice and information.  

• Visitors: 270
• Bulbs distributed: 550
• TV Powerdowns distributed 47 (not including those to be delivered)
• Computer Powerdowns distributed 42 (not including those to be delivered)
• CO2 savings 79,230 kg CO2 lifetime
• Retained Economic Benefit £37,856

This winter has been one of the coldest for a long time with householders needing more than ever to be able to keep their houses warm without the worry of more costly fuel bills.  Energy prices have risen dramatically over the last few years and fuel bills are at an all time high.

One of the best ways of ensuring that you keep the heat in your home, meaning that you save money on your bills is to ensure your home is properly insulated.

The County's Affordable Warmth initiative Keep Shropshire Warm (run by MEA) is offering all home owners and private tenants the chance of huge insulation discounts. Having already assisted over 5000 households since it's launch in January 2008, the Keep Shropshire Warm team are pleased to announce that we are still able to offer insulation at last years prices.

Project Manager Jo Meakin states "we are delighted to be able to continue to offer the same reductions as 2009.  Any home owner or private tenant that pays their Council Tax to Shropshire Council can get Cavity Wall Insulation from £89 and Loft Insulation from £89"

This is going to prove to be a massive help to householders in a time when people are worried about their finances. Although winter is starting to come to an end it will pay dividends to invest now in preparation for next winter.  We would suggest that the installation of both measures can save a household as much as £300 per year on their energy bills, proving that it really does pay to insulate"

Those aged over 70 or in receipt of benefits may also be entitled to free insulation subject to the availabilty of funding and further qualifying criteria.

Keep Shropshire Warm can also advise on heating grants, energy efficiency, tariff switching or other financial help you may be entitled to.

Contact the Keep Shropshire Warm Team on 01743 277123 or visit www.keepshropshirewarm.org