Local interest and our existing connections with a number of building professionals has enabled Cambridge Carbon Footprint to be active in the home energy field.
Carbon Conversations groups.
A good entry point for people wanting to start to reduce their whole carbon footprint. There is a session dedicated to energy in the home. There is a detailed resource lists about home energy in the main handbook and local information in the accompanying Local Resource Guide.
Low carbon network
We organise events to help group participants continue to plan and make reductions
In our 2009/10 calendar we are planning a number of home energy events, including one (‘Getting started on eco-renovation’) which is the start point for an ongoing, supported group for people planning eco-renovation. Others will be looking at SUDS, how to do the basic DIY, advice for people who are renting, plus more workshops on other themes if there is demand.
Climate Friendly Homes
This scheme trains volunteers to do home energy surveys which are processed by a home energy professional. This provides a report for the householder with prioritised, suggested improvements and a list of suppliers & installers. At a follow-up visit the volunteer answers any householder questions and helps them plan further improvements. Between the 2 visits, we can also lend an electricity energy monitor, which can really help awareness and so reduce electricity bills.
House doctor, DIY service and Light Bulb Library
They are currently available to anyone who does a group and will also be available to anyone who has a survey done.
Resource lists.
We list recommended books and other routes to reliable information in the current version of the course handbook and this information will go online shortly. We are also collaborating with the City Council over the creation of a sustainable renovation guide.
Eco-renovation builders club.
Building on the Eco-renovation seminar in May 2009 in collaboration with SmartLife, we hope this will be the first step towards better training for the small builders’ workforce.
City-wide liaison
We initiated and chair a liaison group of people/organisations working to deliver energy efficiency and eco-renovation across the city, including representatives from other community groups, the construction sector, researchers, local authorities, construction training sector – this has been very fruitful in beginning to develop a co-ordinated approach and understand the different strands of action that are needed in the cambridge area.
Support for other community groups and local initiatives
We provide specialist advice/support where needed/requested.
