The Green Ixworth Energy Campaign
Objectives: to inform residents of Ixworth and surrounding villages of the benefits to their own finances and the environment by reducing energy demand, producing renewable energy and using energy more efficiently.
Process: Publicity and awareness. Facebook pages, Ixworth and other villages newsletters, GI News, Broadcast and print media.
GI website: create special section for the campaign to focus users attention, all documents referenced elsewhere, including our written advice on each topic, etc.
Heat Camera Check: we shall also advertise a free heat camera check on residents houses when they come along to the presentation to register.
Presentations: 3rd December in the Ixworth Village Hall opened by John Griffiths, Leader of WSC.
Presentations: 15 minute presentation then general questions from public followed by display and questions from individuals to “experts”.
Display: we shall have 12 panels 600 x900mm in blocks of three available (2)
Drop-in Sessions: We are hoping to run monthly drop in sessions at the library and have a semi-permanent and smaller display there.
There may be opportunities to run parallel campaigns working with others in local villages depending resources.
Advice Topics
Separate docs prepared to deal with each of the topics below. The final docs will be updated in some case prior to publication with any changes in legislation, new info, availability, etc
Why the need for action – Climate Change and costs.
General advice – reducing draughts, double glazing, secondary double glazing, reducing CH temps,
Insulation – Loft is the cheapest option and best value for money saving. Foam grains, rock wool or treated sheep’s wool. Care needed with sprayed foam which can often bridge wet to dry surface creating rot in joists and rafters.
Walls – inside or out, higher costs 33% saving,
Heat camera: help identify need.
Energy in – Photo Voltaic (PV) panels Polycrystaline or Monocrystaline. Best south facing but still effective east to south to west. PolyC more efficient and more tolerant of low light levels and direction. Note strength of roof, flush fitting of panels replaces tiles and reduces the overall weight on the roof and looks better.
Solar water panels: direct heating of domestic water needs close to south facing roof and probably new HW Cylinder. Use of the roof area may be more efficient for Pvs to heat the water.
Storage batteries: with or without PV’s. Store home generated/cheap rate electricity and with appropriate tariff, export at times of high demand and thus price. Location preferably out of house if possible to minimise fire risk (do not spread alarm).
Heat pumps and how they work: types-air/ground/borehole direct water or heat exchange, High/low temp, under floor/radiators. Heat only or HW as well. Heating Ratio can approach 4:1
Combining systems: Plan with care to avoid duplication and additional costs of items like water cylinders, plumbing, metering boxes, consumer unit, wiring, EV charging, etc.
Funding availability/subsidy: advice from Will Wright (WSC) and Groundwork
Planning permission: Planning advice for Conservation area, grade II buildings and permitted development, hoping for WSC Planning to produce doc maybe attend first meeting. Otherwise (RS)
General advice on approaching companies: questions for surveyors, whether fees charged for survey and whether returnable with order, try three separate co’s.
Comparison of supporters experience: Some companies on which we have info eg Solar Together
Sources of further information: suppliers etc.
We now have our own good 6 panel floor to ceiling display board which can be doubled up by using a table to make all panels to the same height. With the library boards this should give us a total of 12 panels at 600mm x 900mm
Information and further resources:
