Dorchester’s first open eco-homes weekend is coming up on 8th and 9th September 2012. Visits are FREE but some need to be booked in advance.
With fuel prices and government policy all pushing us to save energy, this is an excellent chance to find out how local ‘green’ householders are cutting their bills.
The homes taking part include a Listed Building, homes in Conservation Areas, a modern terraced house and an innovative self-build, finished in 2010. All have been designed or adapted to save energy and other resources. Visitors can exchange ideas with home-owners, and hear what has worked well – and not so well. Click here for more details of the homes.
Intriguing materials that can be seen include:
- chalk dug on site to make massive, heat-retaining walls
- traditional lime plaster
- recycled plastics used as work surfaces
There are energy-saving features, including electricity monitors, as well as poly-bead, mineral fiber and sheeps-wool insulation. Renewable energy installations include solar PV and solar hot water panels, and heating with log stoves and wood-chip. Other eco-features include rainwater recycling and eco-paints; one home even boasts a solar-powered garden railway!
How to book
The main booking period is open until mid-day on 17th August ; any places remaining after that will be released on a first-come, first-served basis from 25th August. The eco-homes will be open on Saturday and Sunday 8th and 9th September. Click here for booking details.
The event forms part of the annual Heritage Open Days, and is supported by members of Transition Town Dorchester.
To book visit: http://greendor.wordpress.com/visiting/.
