Volunteers make straw bale classroom a reality

2020 Vision Energy are half way to completing the straw bale insulation project it’s running at Wrington C of E Primary School, thanks to enthusiastic support from local volunteers.

Volunteers so far have dug foundations, constructed a timber frame around the existing prefabricated building, and completed a new pitched roof for the classroom. It has required a tremendous amount of hard work and support from both local residents and interested parties from further afield.  All have said they have found the project interesting and rewarding to be a part of.

“It's not often that one works with a group of people whose enthusiasm rises so far above their carpentry experience that a building is created over a weekend.  This structure is so strong too!  Its specifications far exceed the houses that are usually built in this country.  It follows the tradition of building in Scotland, where houses in the far north are built to withstand hurricanes.  A great weekend” Martin Lilley, volunteer and carpenter by trade

The build is half way to completion, with the straw bale insulation being packed in the timber frame in the next few days, followed by a lime render mortar to provide the finish.

The classroom, once completed, will be the first of its kind to refurbish the existing classroom using this innovative design coupled with traditional building materials. The second classroom on site, which has remained un-altered, will act as a comparison for energy use in school science and geography projects.

For more information about the project then please contact us on 01934 863650 or visit www.2020visionenergy.co.uk

What energy saving measures are available at the moment?

There are two areas on which we are currently focussing and you may be interested in either one or both of them:

1.  Insulation – improve the insulation in your home and you will:

• - benefit from reduced heating fuel bills
• - enjoy a warmer home during the winter and a cooler indoor space in hot summer months
• - have the installation cost subsidised by grants
• - minimise the impact of central heating on climate change

… to learn more about getting subsidised installation call us on (01934) 863 650

2.  Solar hot water – link solar panels into your hot water system to:

• - use solar heated water, topped up by your existing system when necessary
• - cut hot water bills by more than half!
• - minimise the impact of domestic hot water on climate change

… to learn more about getting solar hot water installed call us on (01934) 863 650

What will be next?

There are lots of other technologies and measures which are in development and are gradually becoming more effective and affordable in the home, such as micro-CHP (combined heat and power), domestic wind turbines and even ground source heat pumps.

As they become available, and it becomes cost-effective to implement, we’ll be going back to people we know will be interested and making them aware of the new technologies.  Wherever possible we’ll be looking for financial grants and subsidies to save you money and putting you in touch with the companies who can install the measures for you.

What can I do today?

The most important thing you can do today is give us a call on (01934) 863 650 to let us know you’re interested.  The project will go from strength to strength and, even if you’re not interested in installing any measures today, we want to keep you informed with developments.

In terms of saving energy there are many simple things which you can do today.  Have a look at the list below for some ideas which were published in The Mendip Times in January 2006:

• Draught-proof front and back doors, and letter box – a very cost effective action which pays for itself quickly and makes the house cosy.
• Fit cavity wall insulation and increase the depth of loft insulation – there are several grant schemes available at the moment.
• Put timer switches on plugs attached to audio-visual equipment – appliances waste 75% of energy whilst on standby.
• 18% of heat loss from the home is through the windows.  Minimise this by drawing the (insulated) curtains at dusk.
• Only boil the amount of water needed in the kettle.
• Set the hot water cylinder to 60 degrees C: this will provide hot enough water whilst saving energy.
• Change standard light bulbs to energy-saving alternatives, which last many times longer and save money in the long term.
• Remember to turn off lights when a room is empty.
• Turn the heating thermostat down – each degree C will reduce the heating bill by around £30 per year.

2020 VISION SEEKS ENERGY ADVISORS
 
Wrington Parish will be seeing the first signs of implementation of the energy-saving project 2020 Vision Energy over the coming month, with information and advice being provided to the community. The project is looking for community support to achieve its goal of saving energy, worth over £4 million of domestic fuel savings, and is seeking to recruit volunteers to help with a range of activities including becoming local energy advisors.

Part of the project aims to provide advice and guidance to the local residents about how to make their homes more energy efficient. In order to deliver this, 2020 Vision Energy is looking to create a network of community energy advisors through a programme of training individuals who then can then pass on the information and advice to others in the community.

The project will be using both Wrington Vale Medical Practice and Wrington Primary School to showcase some of the renewable energy technologies involved in helping to achieve CO2 reductions, and to demonstrate to residents innovative means of saving energy.

Locally-based sustainability consultancy Sustain Ltd will project manage the not-for-profit project, that will see solar water heating systems installed in the Parish Medical Centre and in a classroom at Wrington Primary School. The project, which will run through to May 2007, is set to make Wrington the first sustainable energy parish in the country.
Jane Thomas, Head teacher, Wrington Primary School said:

“It’s great that the children will be involved in this project, being able to directly benefit from the technologies, as well as learn about the importance of sustainable energy”.

The second phase of the programme will deliver information and financial assistants to the residents in having the technologies installed in their own homes, as well as how to adopt no-cost energy saving ways of thinking.
Steve Hodges, Energy Project Manager, North Somerset Council said:

“North Somerset Council is committed to energy reduction and working to lower CO2 emissions and it’s important for the parish residents to be involved in the project as the demonstrations and installations will help them learn about the energy efficiency technologies available to help achieve these reductions”.
 
For further information about becoming a volunteer or about the project, please contact Adrian Warman at Sustain on telephone: 01934 863650 or email: info@2020visionenergy.co.uk

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