OXFORDSHIRE ECO-HOMES OPEN DAYS

When: 11-14TH September 2008
Where: Oxford and Oxfordshire

The eco-homes look like ordinary houses on the outside. But looks can be deceptive: from simple and affordable to sophisticated, the houses use the latest ideas and technology of green design to slash their energy and water use and lower their carbon footprints. They recycle their water, generate power with solar panels or windmills, are super insulated (sometimes with a turf roof, sheep’s wool or straw bales) and one is even heated by a heat pump that draws energy from the River Thames.

The houses cover a wide range of types - including a flat, a terraced Victorian house, a 17th century cottage in a conservation area, a listed Regency villa and a 1980’s developer house. The house owners themselves will show visitors around and share the excitement, challenges and sometimes frustrations they encountered in creating their green home.

The event is jointly organised by Oxford-based education charity, the Climate Outreach Information Network (COIN), and Oxfordshire ClimateXChange, with the generous support of Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County, Pink and Black Property Consultants, Simply Green and the Fund for Environment and Urban Life. It runs as part of the Heritage Open Days event (www.openingdoorsopeningminds.org.uk/index.html).

Antonia Hund-Goeschel, Ecovation project manager of COIN says:
“We want to inspire people and we know that as soon as people see inside these great houses and meet their owners they will be fired up to do something themselves.”

Jo Hamilton, co-coordinator of ClimateXChange says:
“These homes are fantastic examples of how a green approach can deliver beautiful, healthier, cheaper, and better places to live. The challenge is to match the rising demand for such home renovations with high quality advice, building services and products.”

With rising energy prices, and a stagnating housing market, eco-renovation can provide a win: win situation for home owners and the local economy.
Gavin Killip from Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute and author of the recent Federation of Master Builders Report ‘Building a Greener Britain’ said: “UK housing is among the worst in Europe when it comes to energy efficiency – which means there’s plenty of room for improvement. Making low-carbon housing mainstream will be good for business and good for jobs, as well as reducing energy bills and CO2 emissions.”

NOTES

1. For full details of the open houses, and their locations and open times visit: www.ecovation.org.uk

2. The event is organised by: The Climate Outreach Information Network www.coinet.org.uk and Oxfordshire ClimateXChange www.climatex.org, and is part of Heritage Open Days, and Oxford Open Doors.

3. Our sponsors this year are: Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County, Pink and Black Property Consultants, Simply Green and the Fund for Environment and Urban Life.

4. For further information about the ‘Building a Greener Britain’ report see  http://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/research/energy/fmb.php

5. To find your nearest Eco-renovation suppliers, see the Oxfordshire Eco-renovation Directory at www.ecovation.org.uk