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Why Ecovation?

If the Government's expressed target of cutting national greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2050 is to be achieved, the eco-renovation of owner-occupied housing will be a vital focus for strategic thinking and concerted action.

COIN has launched a new website dedicated to providing comprehensive information and advice to owner-occupiers wishing to renovate their homes to the highest possible energy standards. The website and learning network is intended to create a web-based community to enable experienced or newly-persuaded eco-renovators, or 'ecovators', to share information and discuss issues and projects. Website content is divided into topics such as insulation, ventilation, solar and wind technologies, summer cooling, materials, lighting and water and sewerage. An advisory group is being set up to contribute initial content and thereafter to provide expert opinion and monitor the quality and operation of the site. There are case studies, open days and publications and the site will be promoted within environmental and sustainable lifestyle networks.

www.ecovation.org.uk

If you would like more information on the project or would like to submit material to the site, contact toni@coinet.org.uk

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Past events:

Ecovation Open Days

On November 24th and 25th 2007, 15 houses in Oxfordshire will open their doors to share the techniques and opportunities of eco-renovation. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from the real experiences of the home owners and see exciting ideas for the future in action.

The houses cover a remarkable range of challenging types-including a garden office, a former council house, a terraced Victorian house, a 17th century cottage in a conservation area, a listed Regency villa, and a 1980’s developer house.

Some of the houses use standard materials that could be bought at any builders merchant. Others use experimental technologies including straw bale and sheep wool insulation, solar panels, wood burners and a heat pump that draws water from the Thames.

This is the largest eco-house open day yet organized in Britain and we hope it can be the model for other regional or national schemes next year.

The event is hosted by COIN, the ClimateXchange and the Sustainable Energy Academy with the support of Mid Counties Co-Op, Thames Valley Energy, Thames Valley Energy Advice Centre and Oxford City Council.

Further details, including specific addresses, will follow soon.

Opening times need to be checked with the individual houses for slight variations, but are generally:

10.00am to 12.00am + 13.00pm to 16.00pm

Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th November

Put the dates in your diary

Come along and be inspired!

We are still looking for volunteers to help out in each house during the event and are still recruiting more houses. If you are interested or would like further information please contact Antonia - toni@coinet.org.uk or call 01865 727911