| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Email the coordinator: | |
| When: | For more info contact coordinator |
| Venue: | Members' Homes |
Meets monthly on a mid-week morning usually in the second week of the month. This is a small group at present, but expanding. We welcome new members. Do come along and find out how you can do your bit for the environment.
Report on the Energy Efficient Home discussion
On 3March, Bakewell u3a environment group, together with Bakewell Climate Action and Marches Energy Agency (MEA) hosted at Friends Meeting House a discussion of ways to improve the energy efficiency of our homes and moderate heating costs. Householders described their experiences - good and frustrating. Robert of MEA told us of the help this charity offers householders to avoid frustration and achieve improvements. This help can include prelimenary advice by telephone, a competent survey of your home and recommendations on cost-effective improvements. Robert pointed out that moderate objectives are appropriate for many existing homes in Derbyshire and advised that the building fabric be assessed before decisions relating to heat sources are made.
The householders who contributed had sought lower heating costs, to improve comfort and to minimise their contribution to climate change. These objectives have been achieved. The initial cost can be significant but can be offset by lower running cost and by several income streams which are available to those who install batteries and/or pv panels. Such equipment is not a get-rich-quickly tool but does enable us to avoid reliance on burning fuels whilst gaining financial benefits over several years.
Members of the environment group are accumulating experience which group members are enthusiastic to share, particularly initial and ongoing costs, income streams & savings, of temporary disruption, of space needed both outside the home and inside to accommodate equipment, of help from MEA, of installers and of running an electric vehicle on low-cost or zero-cost electricity. If you wish to know what a heat pump looks and sounds like, please ask the group for a visit to a home which has one. Bu3a has a thermal imaging camera which can be used on behalf of members to reveal problems and successes with retaining heat in your home.
MEA are able to advise on sources of cash (grants and loans), to guide householders on selection of contractors and to provide free advice specific to an individual home.
The discussion concluded with a summary of activity of Derbyshire Dales Community Energy which promotes larger projects. The environment group can be contacted by email to environment@bakewellu3a.org.uk
Bu3a has purchased a thermal imaging camera. This will be available for loan to Bu3a members to enable them to discover where heat is escaping from their homes. If you are interested, please contact Environment Group Coordinator
Have you thought about installing solar panels, or an air source heat pump? These can save you money and cut your use of fossil fuels.
This ancient field boundary hedge in Bakewell was sprayed with pesticide last summer. Is this what we want for our local environment?
Contact Helen at Environment Group Coordinator