Andrew Powell HCA officer from the council’s private sector housing team will be speaking at an event at Holme Lacy Campus, Herefordshire College of Technology, on Friday, October 21 from 3pm to 5pm to talk about making the county’s homes warm and energy efficient.
He will be joined at the event by Andy Simmonds, Hereford-based Partner of Simmonds Mills Architects (and AECB CEO) who has just received the first Passivhaus ‘EnerPHit’ certification in the UK for refurbishment and extension works carried out on his home in Portfield Street, Hereford.
Simmonds Mills carried out this ambitious scheme involving a wide range of energy efficiency measures such as extensive insulation and a 100 per cent draught free construction. These changes have reduced the house’s measured gas consumption by a massive 80 per cent and 45 per cent less electricity use – whilst also providing increased comfort with room temperatures during the heating season able to be maintained at 21 degrees.
Attending the unveiling of the EnerPHit house plaque was MP Jesse Norman, Its Our County Councillors Marcelle Lloyd Hayes and Jim Kenyon along with Councillor Brian Wilcox, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for environment, housing and planning, who said:
“I was able to attend the unveiling of the EnerPhit plaque at Andy’s home Grove Cottage and was also fascinated to learn more about the technologies he has used to achieve such a massive reduction in energy costs.”
“These measures not only help households to reduce their bills but also offer a great opportunity for businesses in the county to develop skills to carry out similar schemes.”
“The Government’s Green Deal will establish a framework to enable private companies to offer consumers energy efficiency improvements to their homes, community spaces and businesses at no upfront cost, and recoup payments through a charge in instalments on the building’s energy bill. It would be great if local contractors have the skills to carry out this work.”
“This event will offer a chance to find out more about improving energy efficiency in all building projects and I would urge anyone interested to make sure they book to attend,” he added.
Also speaking may be AECB member, builder Mike Whitfield, who has recent hands on experience of low energy refurbishments.
Bookings can be made by calling 01497 831194 or sending an email to dave@herefordshirenewleaf.org.uk
h.Energy Week (October 15 to 23) is a week of free events and activities aimed at promoting more sustainable ways of living, reducing people’s fuel bills, reducing people’s reliance on fossil fuels and tackling climate change by cutting carbon emissions.
More information can be found by logging onto www.herefordshirenewleaf.org.uk