Keepmoat Delivers Green Refurb to eco couple » Communities » 24dash.com

Keepmoat, one of the country’s leading specialists in eco-refurbishment and community regeneration are delivering a whole home green refurbishment to a lucky Bristol couple.

Delighted William Homoky, 29, and Catherine Beswick, 25, celebrating after being crowned the winners of a national competition aimed at reducing carbon emissions and giving their home an eco makeover.

The couple will gain a £21, 580 energy refurb to their three bedroom Victorian property in Bristol during February. The package of work includes the installation of solar photovoltaic panels, chimney balloons, loft insulation and a voltage reduction device.

Work started on Monday, February 1 in a bid to reduce the couple’s carbon emissions by up to 70 percent.

Keepmoat became involved with the project through their sponsorship of TV’s Grand Designs’ Great British Refurb Campaign, backed by presenter Kevin McCloud in October last year.

With UK homes responsible for 27 percent of the UK’s carbon emissions, the Great British Refurb Campaign aims to reduce the production of greenhouse gases that lead to climate change and help meet Government targets of reducing carbon emissions by 34 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.

Similarly, a national 10:10 campaign was launched in September last year to cut UK carbon emissions by 10 percent in 2010.

The national eco competition to transform William and Catherine’s home was set up by the Great British Refurb Campaign in partnership with 10:10 and attracted over 8,000 entries.

Now, William is scheduled to speak about his success at Ecobuild on Wednesday, March 3 (Refurbishment begins at home) alongside Colin Butfield, Head of Campaigns, WWF-UK, and Grand Designs’ Great British Refurb Campaign Partner, and Professor Chris Bovis, Keepmoat’s Director of Corporate Governance.

William, who used to rent a small flat with Catherine before moving into their first home in September last year, describes winning the competition as “simply amazing.”

The couple’s home was one of five in the shortlist, which included a four bed detached new build house in Southend, a four bed detached 1960s house in Warrington, a three bed 1950s semi in Bristol and a two bed Victorian terrace in Macclesfield.

As part of the competition, all five properties had an energy survey carried out by Keepmoat’s energy consultant AECOM.

Knauf, one of Europe’s leading building materials manufacturers, have demonstrated their support by providing insulation and Solarcentury are installing the pv panels.

William said: “Signing up to the 10:10 campaign was an opportunity to register our ongoing commitment to reducing our environmental impact and it was through the 10:10 website that we entered the Great British Refurb competition.

“It’s simply amazing to have won the energy make over, we are incredibly grateful.

“When you think about the investment that’s been made it would probably have taken years for us to achieve it on our own.

“Our home is now a fine eco example, having been given an expert make over using cutting edge technology. I’m particularly delighted with the installation of solar panel technology on the roof due to the financial savings that should bring us.”

Catherine, an Environmental Consultant and her partner William were already conscious of their carbon footprint and have furniture largely recycled from family and relatives or made from reclaimed wood.

“One of the key attractions of the property was that it was well located for public transport links, so after we moved in we got rid of one of our cars, as we mostly cycled in the city anyway, “ said William, who is completing a PHD in Ocean and Earth Science.

“It was a step in the right direction.”

The following is a list of eco improvements which will be introduced in William and Catherine’s home:

• Installation of solar photovoltaic panels £12,250
• Internal wall insulation £3,750
• Under floor insulation £950
• Major draft excluding £40
• Loft insulation £200
• Install loft hatch insulation £10
• Install energy monitoring device £25
• Install insulation jacket to cylinder £20
• Voltage reduction device £250
• Change shower head to aerated shower head £30
• Bye Bye standby plugs £40
• Install insulation to party wall cavity £300
• Change bath to reduced water bath £625
• Replace existing glass with upgraded double glazing £950
• Change taps to klick-tap - will reduce hotwater usage £320
• Install new external doors £1,500
• Supply of eco kettle £30
• Chimney balloons £40
• Install load compensator heating controller £250

Total Cost £21,580