We have been working with Chichester DC and Parity Projects to develop a free online tool called Energy Saving Plan Builder to help householders get advice on energy saving measures that will help them to:
- reduce the amount of home energy they use
- make their home more comfortable to live in
- reduce their carbon emissions
- and potentially increase the value of their home too.
The tool is a great way for residents to understand retrofit options available to them and the potential costs involved.
Both district councils have declared a Climate Emergency and this online tool is a personalised way that we can support homeowners to understand the benefits of changes that can be made to homes and the costs of making these changes.
In the Horsham district over half of carbon emissions are associated with energy used in buildings, and over 80% of the buildings in the district are homes.
If you are interested in seeing examples of houses that have already been retrofitted in some way, Greening Steyning can help. They have established annual Eco Open House Days and and have shared some examples of successful retrofits on their website. Read more at:
Making a 1970 home more sustainable
https://greeningsteyning.org/eco-houses-clivedale-gardens/
An eco makeover of a 1930’s council house
https://greeningsteyning.org/eco-houses-shooting-field/
Key lessons learnt to take away
These include ensuring that your home maintenance issues are sorted first. For example older cavity wall insulation can shrink and breakdown; replacing windows might give you opportunity to see inside the wall cavity and if your insulation has vanished!, and improve the insulation (keep warmer in winter, keep cooler in summer) ahead of thinking about renewable heat and renewable energy generation.
Get advice on the energy saving measures that will work for your home at:
Energy Saving Plan Builder