Sustainability Stories - Hertford LM
Save Energy, Save Money
Recipient of QPSW Sustainability Grant 2011
Hertford Local Meeting was one which was pleased to receive a QPSW grant to help with a project which is called “Save Energy, Save Money”. The project is being carried by Transition Hertford and supported by Hertford Local Meeting, two members of which are members of the Steering Group of Transition Hertford.
The aim of the exercise is to set in motion a process which will be on-going for the foreseeable future. The process is one of gradually involving more of the local community in reducing energy use, and thus the local carbon footprint. Given that electricity is produced and distributed by a national network, the scheme also will do its bit towards achieving the nation's emissions targets.
The funding will pay for a course in Energy Awareness for two members of the local Transition Steering Group. It is a 3-day course, assessed over a (further) day by City and Guilds. One of the trainees is Ray Bomber, who happens to edit the Hertford LM Newsletter. This channel will be one of several through which local Quakers should become more aware of the climate change issues, and the benefits of energy efficiency at home. “Home” includes our Meeting House, where we have already insulated the loft with sheep’s wool, made the 18th century windows draught-proof, prior to installing secondary double glazing and where we are in the process of installing a draught-stopping lobby screen. We are investigating the possibility of photo-voltaic solar panels. All this in a Grade 2 star listed building (1670).
Another important way in which the profile of both Transition and our Quaker funders will be raised is that the leaflets giving advice to householders will see not only where the funding has come from, but will learn that the project is supported by the local authority. On October 16th four Transition members involved in the project met with the East Herts District Council's Home Energy Officer. As a result the council will be allowing the project to use its logo in the literature, and is offering supporting information as needed. We shall be helping them reach their home improvement targets.
When we visit people who have expressed their willingness to discuss possible improvements, we shall offer an audit of the home's energy efficiency and unbiased, non-commercial advice about practical steps that can be taken. In most cases this may well be insulation, (and) draught-proofing and/or replacement of old, inefficient gas boilers, though we hope some householders may recognise that solar panels are a good investment.
We hope also to stimulate interest in the wider issues around the need for a lower-energy future, and show people that less does not mean worse. Most importantly our key aim is to encourage neighbours to work together, both in a spirit of good neighbourliness, but sometimes to achieve savings through bulk orders.
In short the project aims to improve community relations and set the community at large more firmly on the road to a sustainable future.
By Gerald Drewett
