Everyone interested in saving money on domestic and busines fuel bills and using energy efficient renewables in their home can head for one or more of eighteen private homes in the Highlands and Islands on 3rd and 4th October. These visits will let folk see at first hand what the owners have done, how it has worked; and ask the practical questions whose answers you need to know from people who know.
41 green homes and 14 businesses across Scotland are to open their doors to the public on those days, to demonstrate how renewables systems and energy efficiency improvements save them money – and reduce their carbon footprint.
The free Green Network open days will give people a chance to take a close look at how the various systems and home improvements work in different types of properties. It’s a unique opportunity to speak to people who are already living and working in greener properties – and to learn from their experiences.
Eighteen homes and one business in the Highlands and Islands are taking part. They are to be found in:
- Argyll
- Black Isle
- Glen Urquhart and Strathglass
- Orkney
- Wester Ross
- Western Isles
- Ullapool
An Argyll case study: Rionnagan House at Dunmore, Tarbert
There are two homes in Argyll taking part in the Green Network Open Days. One is at Kilchrenan near Taynuilt and one in Tarbert.Both have a number of interesting energy saving systems installed.
Taking the Tarbert home as an example, it has a variety of energy efficiency systems, including a gasification boiler with a thermal store;and a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery [MVHR] system. These keep air fresh within the a home while transferring a high percentage of its heat to incoming air during the exchanging process.
Andrew, the homeowner here, was driven to improve the energy efficiency of his house in order to get a ventilation quality equal to that of a Passivhaus building. So, 1n 2013, he self-installed a Paul Novus 300 MVHR system in his property. The system has a 360w power input and cost approximately £6,000.
MVHR systems aim to ensure a balance between keeping a building’s air fresh and retaining rather than losing heat in the process. To work effectively, such systems should be installed in buildings which are reasonably air-tight so as to minimise unplanned heat loss. Andrew therefore installed triple-glazed windows and doors.
Later in 2013, Andrew went on to self-install a 25kW gasification boiler. Gasification boilers use very high temperatures to turn the wood into a wood gas, and it is this gas which is then burnt to release heat. The Orlan Super boiler used at Rionnagan cost a total of £4,000.
Andrew rates both his MVHR system and gasification boiler 10/10 in terms of performance.
On the insulation front, Andrew has taken several steps towards retaining as much heat as possible. The walls of the timber frame home have been fitted with Isover mineral wool batts and externally he fixed 100mm of wood fibre board.
The floor and loft have both been fitted with 400mm of mineral wool insulation and the use of 22mm Isolair acts as additional insulation as well as a vapour barrier. Using a vapour open insulation has meant the house can breathe properly. Andrew says: ‘It’s perfect for the damp west coast weather and needs no plastic membrane’.
Across Scotland
A number of technologies are to be seen in the various properties participating in the Green Network Open days – from solar panels, biomass boilers and wind turbines to high performance glazing, smart meters and LED lighting. Specialist advisors will be on hand at many properties to provide advice.
And the absolute delight of boys’ [and girls'] toys: there will also be an opportunity, at some locations, to test drive an electric vehicle.
In addition to talking about the systems and improvements themselves, the property owners can also chat about their experience of the installation process and the savings they are making.
Mike Thornton, Director of the Energy Saving Trust Scotland says: ‘The homeowners and businesses taking part are great ambassadors and can help explain the benefits. The feedback from last year’s event was fantastic and we are hoping even more people will come along and be inspired this year.’
More information on the open days and booking visits is here at the Green Network Open days website.
For more information about the financial support and specialist advice available on installing domestic or business renewable energy systems:
- phone Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 [free from landlines and most mobiles]
- or go to the Energy Saving Trust website here.
