The HES project was launched in 2006 with the help of Marches Energy Agency, the Energy Saving Trust and the local councils. The aim is to achieve carbon reductions and relieve fuel poverty by carrying out free energy surveys and carbon footprints for as many households as possible in the Bishop's Castle area . So far in total over 1,000 homes have signed up and 750 surveys have been carried out. Of these 350 have been in the Bishop's Castle/Clun area. The service is now available within a ten mile radius of Bishop's Castle, Knighton, Presteigne and Newtown and will soon be launched in Ludlow. Taster sessions have also been held in Llangollen, Ludlow, Rhyader and Cambridge.
In 2009 HES is working as one of 10 finalists in the national Big Green Challenge, run by NESTA. At the end of the year £1m will be shared amongst the finalists deemed worthy of further support.
This unique service is based on local volunteer surveyors who are trained and supported by a small paid team, including professional energy officers. Each client is given a carbon statement for their household, and energy saving tips as part of the survey. All possible guidance will be given to help individuals reduce their impact on the environment whilst at the same time giving them more comfortable homes and helping them save money. The service is offered FREE to maximise takeup but donations to help cover costs are requested. The service is financed by a mixture of donations, commissions, sponsorship, grants and some commercial work.
On 1st Feb '08 the running and development of HES and Community Carbon Footprinting (CCF) transferred to a new Community Interest Company (CIC) called Light Foot Enterprises. Light Foot will enable the HES to be developed to its full potential and to be spread to many more communities. The Wasteless Society will still be involved in delivering HES in the Bishop's Castle area but not in the developmental work. Light Foot is based in the existing WS office in Enterprise House.
What HES can do for you:
Providing information and advice:
A household energy survey and statement
A full household energy report
Facts about saving household energy
Renewable energy solutions
A regular news sheet
Helping to reduce costs:
Discounts on low-carbon goods + services
Bulk purchase deals
Advice about grants and funding
Getting the job done:
Arranging for contractors
Making goods + services more accessible
Some examples of what HES offers :
Rapidly arranged loft insulation
Discounts on low energy light bulbs
Easy access to green electricity
Anyone who would like a survey carried out or is interested in the HES project can contact them via info@h-e-s.org or telephone 01588 638738 .
Local Progress to date (3rd April 09)
350 surveys completed, 200 of these in our core area of Bishop's Castle and the surrounding 5 parishes.
of the clients who've provided feedback over 90% said they found the service useful, with 30% adding a 'very' or 'hugely'. 2% said the service wasn't useful, and 3% not particularly useful.
· Most want to do something to reduce their energy use -measures undertaken range from low energy light bulbs through fitting insulation and solar panels to moving house to reduce car use.
- In the first 2 years (06 and 07) 2,550 tonnes of CO2 was saved including the light bulbs we've distributed, the lifetime savings from the measures we know have been done and the 41,000 litres of biodiesel sold (calculated by Marches Energy Agency).
- This is equivalent to the annual output of a 2.3MW wind turbine which would cost £2.3m to install and doesn't include the savings from behavioural changes such as driving and flying less, switching off appliances, putting water heaters and pond pumps on timers, etc.
The CO2 cost of running HES for 2 years was calculated at 5 tonnes or 17kg/survey.
Carbon Footprinting:
Surveys so far show an average footprint of 15* tonnes of CO2 per household per year with
the highest at 42 tonnes (2 person household) and the lowest 1.3 tonnes (1 person).
* not including home business usage.
Average figures for a local household are:
Electricity, 12%,
Heating , 28%,
Car 25%,
Flights 33%*,
Other (bus, train etc) 2%
*this figure takes into account other greenhouse gas emissions emitted by planes and the fact that most of the emissions are at high altitude.
HES are now starting to re-survey existing clients to find out more detail of savings made. Initial feedback has been very positive with four households showing carbon savings of 30% plus.
The aim is to re-survey 10% of existing clients in 2009 to get a more representative figure.
NB -there is no mains gas in the area
