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At the Green Open Homes weekend on 17 and 18 May, you can find fun and information at the Halton Mill Energy Fair, and visit households all around the district who’ve made improvements to their homes.
Would you like cheaper fuel bills and a warmer home? Do you want to be kinder to the environment? Would you like to test drive an electric car, pedal yourself a smoothie or see a hydro being built?
Fifteen homes – including a narrow boat, a former shop, traditional terraces, country residences and specially designed eco homes – will be opening in Silverdale, Lancaster, Halton, Morecambe and Caton.
Visitors will have the opportunity to talk to householders about what they’ve done, how they’ve done it and how much they’ve saved. A huge range of measures and technologies will be on show, including wood chip burning (biomass) boilers, solar PV (electricity), solar thermal (hot water); passivhaus eco homes; different types of insulation; green roofs, rainwater recycling and simple draught proofing measures.
On Saturday 17 May from 12 – 5pm there will be an Energy Fair at Halton Mill with fun and information for all the family. You can see the latest solar panels and energy efficient lighting systems; hear talks from experts about ways to save energy; watch inspiring films and even drive a Nissan Leaf electric car (if you are 25 or older, have a clean driving record, and bring your driving licence).
Activities for children include a mix-a-smoothie-as-you-pedal bicycle and a craft workshop, making model windmills and water turbines.
There’ll be a chance to tour the neighbouring Lancaster Cohousing development, with its award winning passivhaus eco homes and renewable energy technologies. You can also see England’s biggest community hydro scheme, currently under construction. (http://www.lancastercohousing.org.uk/)
“The idea is that people who are interested in saving energy in their own home, or even building an eco home from scratch, can talk to people who have already done something similar. They can have an honest conversation about what it costs, what is saves and how it’s done,” said Kathy Bashford, from Lancaster Green Open Homes.
“The Energy Fair will give people a chance to find out what they could do to save energy and money, and to learn from real experts in the field as well as having a fun day out with the family,” said Kevin Frea, from LESS, which is organising the Fair along with Transition City Lancaster.
The Lancaster District Green Open Homes weekend is on 17/18 May, 12 to 5pm. The Energy Fair takes place on Saturday 17th, from 12 – 5pm, at Halton Mill, Mill Lane, Halton, Lancaster LA2 6FD.
To find out more and learn which homes are opening near you go to: www.greenopenhomeslancaster.org.uk or ring Kathy Bashford on 07825 610342.