University project update meetings - 18th & 20th Oct

We are planning identical meetings/presentations on the 18th and 20th of October for residents taking part in the University project. This will include overview of the online software for tracking your energy usages, and some workshops type activities.

Photos from Spring Greening Event

Finally got some photos from the Spring Greening Event, held in March. Here's three of them. I will upload more to flickr shortly, and add a link here.

Low Cost Energy Saving Ideas

• Fit a hot water tank jacket
• Put reflector foil behind radiators
• Fit DIY secondary glazing film to windows
• Stick draft excluder around draughty doors and windows
• Fit draft excluder brushes to your letterbox
• Use thermal lining paper when wallpapering external walls
• Use Energy saving light bulbs
• Lag the hot water pipes in your airing cupboard
• Use thermal paint additive when painting external walls
• Fit shelves above radiators

Click this link for a printable list - Low Cost Energy Saving Ideas

Have you got any more suggestions? if so, please add them in a comment below...

Zero Cost Energy Saving Ideas

• Remember to change your heating settings when the season changes
• Only boil the amount of water that you need in the kettle
• Turn off TV’s, computers and other appliances when not in use.
• Dry your hair with a towel (not a hair drier)
• Only iron clothes that really need it (forget your pants!)
• Wash clothes at 30 degrees
• Turn down radiators in rooms you use the least
• Turn down hot water heater to 60 degrees
• Dry clothes on an airier or outdoors, not in a tumble drier
• Only use a dishwasher when you have a full load
• Put lids on pans when cooking
• Unplug mobile phone chargers
• Check out Freeinsulation.co.uk and see if you qualify

Click this link for a printable list - Zero Cost Energy Saving Ideas

Have you got any more suggestions? if so, please add them in a comment below...

Fete 2011 - Bicycle Recycling and Elderflower Champagne

The fete was a tad damp this year, with huge downpours interspersed with bright sunny spells. One of Mike's large posters lasted about 20 minutes before the wind and rain ripped it to pieces!

This year we teamed up with Bicycle Recycling, with Guy offering Free bicycle checks and bike maintenance tips. This was very fortunate timing, as the 19th of June was the start of Bike Week, which aims to get more people cycling, more often.

In spite of the weather, the Elderflower Champagne was very popular, and bought in enough money to cover the price of the stall, and a few pennies extra.

"Spring Greening" Event - Photos

Photos from our "Spring Greening" event in March will be posted here shortly, once we trackdown who's camera they are on!

University of Soton Project - ECO Refit

This is a research project involves finding households in Colden Common who would be willing to have their energy usage measured for a period of 3 years, in exchange for free loft insulation, or cavity wall insulation.

It has taken quite a lot of organising - including many meetings with the university

We will produce leafets to drop through resident's letterboxes, asking for volunteers.

"Spring Greening" Event

Our "Spring Greening" event will be on Saturday 26th Mar 2011 at 2pm at Colden Common School.

Children can enjoy a mobile farm with chickens, pigs, goats, sheep and other farm animals to pet.

Stalls will include: a home brewing table, Colden Common allotments, energy saving tips, Winchester Action on Climate Change, Update on home energy monitoring project with Southampton University, solar PVs, local veg box scheme (and £100 worth of vouchers to give away), nature and wildlife table, tea and coffee, eco-cleaning display.