Be one of 40 homes to cut energy use

Stroud District Council have just released this news release below - I would urge people to apply - while I would prefer to see more focus on energy saving measures to all this project is now up and ready to run - go for it!

Photo: Randwick woods

Wanted - forty homeowners with a passion for saving energy and a willingness to work in a team. In an exciting new initiative, Stroud District Council is aiming to show that existing homes CAN achieve a massive 60% reduction in CO2 emissions.

Under the scheme - named Target 2050 - the forty homes will be subjected to an in-depth energy usage survey, after which an individual action plan for reducing emissions will be drawn up. Owners will get expert advice to support them in carrying out their action plan, including free energy saving gadgets. The scheme takes its name from the government target to reduce the UK's CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050. The forty homeowners taking part in Target 2050 will be selected on the basis of ensuring a representative mix of housing types, location and number/age of inhabitants.

To start with, Target 2050 will run for three years. Twenty of these households will be invited to have an Ecometer fitted, to monitor their energy use in detail and in particular, how changing habits can help to maximise energy savings. These households will also be expected to become case studies, with a willingness to work with others to show what can be achieved and inspire other householders to take action.

"This is a big challenge," says Cllr Elisabeth Bird, the Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment. "We are looking for people who are serious about reducing their carbon footprint - serious enough to change their behaviour and invest in home improvements - with some help from us." Target 2050 is the only scheme of its type to be running in Gloucestershire. Stroud District Council is committed to investing £400,000 over the next three years to improve home energy efficiency. This was one of the pledges contained in the Council's Environment Strategy, launched last year. The project is managed by Severn Wye Energy Agency. There is no restriction on the types of property which will be considered for Target 2050 - even listed buildings are eligible. The emphasis is on getting a range of different property types that reflect the profile of the district's housing.

Anyone interested in joining Target 2050 should call Gloucestershire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012 (eeac@swea.co.uk) as soon as possible for more information and an application form. Successful applicants will be notified by 7th January.