Interest in eco refurbishment has enjoyed a big boost over recent months. The Green Deal was launched in January and a national publicity campaign is underway. I was at Ecobuild, the UK’s largest trade fair last week and it was positively buzzing with Green Deal participants and promotions. And we are starting to see the impact of local awareness raising activities led by Local Authorities.

All this work has generated a palpable excitement. Free Green Deal assessments offered in some areas are building early interest in the offer. Properties are in the process of being retrofitted to demonstrate the improvements that can be made. And homeowners across the country can see the measures supported by the Green Deal in real homes during SuperHomes Week which runs from 16 – 24 March.

Those Local Authorities which won a share of the Government’s £10 million Green Deal ‘Pioneer Places’ Fund have been extremely busy since the start of the year. Their efforts are setting the scene for increased early adoption of the Green Deal.

One outcome is already visible in Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire. Here three homes displaying eco refurbishment at its best will open to the public for the first time this month. These will provide an opportunity for local residents to see for themselves the benefits refurbishment can deliver. Collaboration between the Local Authority and SuperHomes, supported by Green Deal Pioneer Places funding, helped this come about.

Robert Smart of Aylesbury Vale District Council is one of a number of Sustainability Officers leading the way. He started his own journey in home eco refurbishment by fitting a 4kW solar thermal water heating system on his roof. This was a first step on the road that led to carbon savings of a massive 67% and SuperHome status for his house.

Robert is now actively recruiting others to the SuperHomes network in Aylesbury Vale. Among them are Keith and Kathryn Searle. Their house has double glazing throughout, cavity wall and loft insulation, together with an air to air heat pump, a photovoltaic system, plus water saving devices and low energy lighting and appliances.  Similarly, Keith and Beryl Wright have installed photovoltaic panels and an air source heat pump. Meanwhile, Bob and Judy Lewis have achieved a huge 72% carbon saving with measures such as a solar thermal system, photovoltaic panels and a front porch that acts as an ‘airlock’.

With his own home, Robert didn’t stop at solar thermal. He’s gone on to install 1.7kWp of photovoltaic panels, resulting in a 45% reduction in electricity costs. But, for Robert, his wife Palie and their two children, the benefits go beyond reduced energy bills. They’ve made their home more comfortable and, importantly, have improved their quality of life.

Along with other pioneering SuperHomers, Robert is keen to share his experiences. His is one of 50 SuperHomes you can visit during SuperHomes Week from 16 to 24 March. SuperHomes are homes which have been refurbished to reduce carbon emissions by at least 60%. Visiting one is a great way to get inspired to green your own home. See www.superhomes.org.uk for details.

Find out more about Green Deal at www.gov.uk/greendeal or via the Energy Saving AdviceService on 0300 123 1234.

Blog courtesy of: blog.decc.gov.uk