Blog

Seven items of good news from Bristol Green Doors
dan
Thu, 16/02/2012 - 14:31

Things are definitely starting to buzz here. There is lots going on and we want to share the higlights with you in this blog which covers:

Grand Designs at Create with Green Door (s)
dan
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 10:16

 Real Refurbs and LiLi have been working with Kevin McCloud and Grand Designs Live. They have produced a full scale cut-away set of a Victorian terrace, illustrating the various stages, issues and possible solutions of a retrofit project. As Grand Designs Live is not on again till May in London, the house needs a home and has settled at Create for three months.

The energy assessor preparing EPCs for Bristol Green Doors homes' case studies describes his experience
dan
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 09:29

 Dear Dan,

I've finished surveying the new Bristol Green Doors homes for their energy performance and I just wanted to say how impressed I've been. There's a really wide range of measures included and it's great to see so many normal Bristol-type homes made to score so well.

January Newsletter
dan
Thu, 12/01/2012 - 20:36

Hello and welcome to the first big blog / monthly newsletter leading up to our next open homes event - Bristol Green Doors 2012 on March 17-18th.

A huge amount has gone on recently which we think will be of interest to you so read on for short stories on the following:

40 great homes for Bristol Green Doors 2012
dan
Tue, 10/01/2012 - 21:29

We have 40 homes for Bristol Green Doors 2012 and are thrilled with the range participating and the measures that will be on show. At the event visitors will see: a range of low cost improvements; whole house retrofits to near Passivhaus standard; city council retrofits; the latest technologies in action; straw bale construction; zero carbon homes; superb examples of external solid wall insulation; and more!
 

Incredibly high standard retrofit in action
dan
Thu, 15/12/2011 - 14:41

Just back from visiting one of the houses which will be opening for our event in March. Footprint are currently developing two adjacent houses in Clifton to an extremely high specification and standard and are hoping to reach a borderline A-B rating when assessed next year. Seeing this work in action will be possible in March (still under wraps to the public) and a must for those working in the built environment and interested in airtightness and the high performance of the building fabric.

WARM homes exhibition
dan
Tue, 22/11/2011 - 15:11

Last week I went to the opening of the WARM Creating Energy Efficient Homes exhibition at the Architecture Centre. This has been put together by Vicky and Tina of the Council's City Design Team and the Architecture Centre. http://www.architecturecentre.co.uk/exhibitions-warm-creating-energy-efficient-homes

The exhibition presents a number of ways pre-1919 homes can be made more energy efficient in a distinctive style.

Green Jobs for the West of England
dan
Wed, 02/11/2011 - 15:13

Stage 2 reached in SW green jobs bid that we are contributing to as part of skills consortium. 

Solarsense on Guy Fawkes day!
dan
Wed, 19/10/2011 - 11:26

Fancy learning about solar and want a fun day out in Backwell whilst people are getting their bonfire parties ready? Our first commercial sponsor and big supporter Solarsense are having a fun looking open day next Saturday 5th November to celebrate their first year at the Backwell premises!

From 10.30am – 3.30 pm, it will feature; Solar system displays, Hog roast (with veggie option!), Charity corner – the chance to meet our UK and overseas charity partners!…and much more, all free. Helios House, Brockley Lane, Backwell, BS48 4AH

The big six and energy prices
dan
Tue, 18/10/2011 - 11:47

We support the Governments / Offgen's approach to encourage the energy companies to simplify tariffs and make bills easier to understand.
People can switch suppliers to get a better deal, but as energy prices are unlikely to come down, people really should consider what they can do to make their homes warmer to use less.
We support individuals to do this with our events - have a look online at what our householders have done. Insulation is important, but so is draft proofing!

We’ve now got our next event lined up and this is an update of our plans.
dan
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 22:43

1. Following two successful 2011 open home events in March (Insulation) and June (Solar) it is great to announce that our next general energy saving open homes event will be on March 17-18th 2012. This will feature around 35 homes across Bristol. Many thanks to Bristol Council for their commitment to making this happen.

Postponement of September event
dan
Tue, 21/06/2011 - 09:31

We are sorry to announce that we have decided to postpone Bristol Green Doors' September 2011 Open Homes Weekend due to insufficient funding and capacity. We are now taking time to develop ways forward with key strategic partners Bristol City Council, the Energy Saving Trust and Centre for Sustainable Energy and hope to be able to run the event in spring 2012.

Green Doors in the national press x 3
dan
Tue, 21/06/2011 - 08:39

It's great that we have had so much coverage in the press in the last month. Even my mate who reads the Sunday Telegrapph has now read about us!

Here is a brief summary and link to the pieces

1. Sunday Telegraph - Solar Saturday and Bristol homeowners featured in piece on solar energy

Solar Saturday - success and pictures
dan
Tue, 21/06/2011 - 08:28

The sun shone on us on Solar Saturday on June 11th. Over 100 people attended and about half of these saw two or more of the 12 homes that were open. The weather was perfect; sunny, so solar systems around the city were being demonstrated in ideal conditions.

The event as ever would not have been possible without the involvement of our householders so a BIG THANKYOU to: Alan, Bob and Judith, Dave, Derek, Eric, Jeannie, Judy, Maggie, Mark, Richard and Tom.

Here are some pictures

Saturday's weather
dan
Fri, 10/06/2011 - 11:33

BBC Weather forecast for Saturday is great to promote solar power http://bbc.in/3fIbhC

The sun has got his hat on, hip hip hip ARRAY*
dan
Tue, 07/06/2011 - 11:42

Well not right now but how could I resist this as we are getting close to Solar Saturday?. (A photovoltaic system typically includes an array of solar panels)
Bookings have noticeably picked up due to mentions, coverage etc in various channels (see below). Thanks to all supporters. THE BOOKING SYSTEM CLOSES ON FRIDAY AT 17.00
There was a very good piece in the Evening Post last Saturday. Well done Eric!

Clifton customer and Solar Saturday
dan
Fri, 03/06/2011 - 12:44

Doing some rounds with posters and leaflets and went into Farrow and Ball in Clifton yesterday. Whilst explaining to the sales assistant what we do and asking if they would take leaflets and a poster a customer interupted me asking for both as they want to put up some panels this year. "Our customers love this sort of thing" was the assistant's comment. Come on then Clifton, make a visit next weekend! http://www.bristolgreendoors.org/events/solar

Five great reasons to attend Solar Saturday - June 11th
dan
Tue, 31/05/2011 - 10:35

Here are five great reasons why people should be booking now for our Solar Saturday event:
1. Global CO2 emissions from energy use rose by 5% during 2010
2. Scottish & Southern Energy is the second big energy supplier to hint that gas and electricity prices may go up steeply this year
3. A £35,000+ return on £3,500 investment into Solar PV system after 25 years is possible

Our Next Event - June 11th
dan
Tue, 31/05/2011 - 09:43

Hello
Happy Springtime!

Meeting the householders and more press coverage in the Post
dan
Mon, 07/03/2011 - 14:46

Kate and I experienced a familiar ripple of excitement last week when we had a small get together for our householders to meet us and each other and for those joining to find out more about Bristol Green Doors and what to expect at the weekend. It was obviously much smaller than the equivalent gathering last June when over 100 people came (it is 8 homes not 52 aftera all), but it was great to see them sharing stories, discussing their projects and making plans to meet up and learn more from each other. It was a really enjoyable and positive evening and thanks to all who came.