HES was launched in 2006 with the help of Marches Energy Agency, the Energy Saving Trust and the local councils.
The aim is to achieve carbon reductions and relieve fuel poverty by carrying out free* energy surveys and carbon footprints using volunteer surveyors with the back up of professional energy officers.
* The service is provided free but donations are always appreciated.
2010 Update -> HES CAME JOINT FIRST AND SHARED THE £1 MILLION FIRST PRIZE FOR THIS ! - More info on the HES Website - Congratulations to HES !
In 2009 HES is working as one of 10 finalists in the national Big Green Challenge, run by NESTA. At the end of the year £1m will be shared amongst the finalists deemed worthy of further support.
This unique service is based on local volunteer surveyors who are trained and supported by a small paid team, including professional energy officers. Each client is given a carbon statement for their household, and energy-saving tips as part of the survey. All possible guidance will be given to help individuals reduce their impact on the environment, whilst at the same time giving them more comfortable homes and helping them save money. The service is financed by a mixture of donations, commissions, sponsorship, grants and some commercial work.
On 1st Feb '08 the running and development of HES and Community Carbon Footprinting (CCF) transferred to a new Community Interest Company (CIC) called Light Foot Enterprises. Light Foot will enable the HES to be developed to its full potential and to be spread to many more communities. The Wasteless Society will still be involved in delivering HES in the Bishop's Castle area but not in the developmental work. Light Foot is based in the existing WS office in The Old Primary School, Church Street.
What HES can do for you :
Providing information and advice:
A household energy survey and statement
A full household energy report
Facts about saving household energy
Renewable energy solutions
A regular news sheet
Helping to reduce costs:
Discounts on low-carbon goods + services
Bulk purchase deals
Advice about grants and funding
Getting the job done:
Arranging for contractors
Making goods + services more accessible
Some examples of what HES offers :
Rapidly arranged loft insulation
Discounts on low energy light bulbs
Easy access to green electricity
Anyone who would like a survey carried out or is interested in the HES project can contact them via :
Website : www.h-e-s.org
Email : info@h-e-s.org
Telephone : 01588 630683
HES Progress to date (3rd Nov 09)
1,000 surveys completed, half of these from the Bishop’s Castle and Clun area, where over 20% of households have now had a survey done.
Of the clients who've provided feedback over 90% said they found the service useful, with 30% adding a 'very' or 'hugely'. Only 2% said the service wasn't useful, and 3% not particularly useful.
Most clients want to do something to reduce their energy use - measures undertaken range from low energy light bulbs through fitting insulation and solar panels to moving house to reduce car use.
Resurveys are now showing average carbon savings of 29% (inc flights*), which equates to a total saving of 3,900 tonnes of CO2 per year from our 1,000 clients.
* this figure comes from 33 representative re-surveys. The figure excluding flights is 17% or 1,600 tonnes of CO2 saved/annum
Carbon Footprinting :
Surveys so far show an overall average footprint of 13.5* tonnes of CO2 per household per year with the highest at 50 tonnes (2 person household) and the lowest 1.3 tonnes (1 person).
* not including home business usage, the Bishop’s Castle area average is slightly higher at 14.5 tonnes.
The average breakdown is:
Electricity, 12%, Heating , 28%, Car 25% Flights 33%*, Other (bus, train etc) 2%
* this figure takes into account other greenhouse gas emissions emitted by planes and the fact that most of the emissions are at high altitude.
NB - there is no mains gas in the Bishop’s Castle and Clun area
Other HES Schemes
HES now also operates in Montgomery, Newtown, Knighton, Presteigne and Kington and should be available in Ludlow, and most of South Shropshire in 2010.
Taster sessions have also been held in Llangollen, Rhayader and Cambridge, Cardiff and Alton, Hampshire.
|
