The Government has announced a £2bn investment in ‘Green Homes Grants’ to help private householders make their homes more thermally efficient and reduce bills.
The details of the scheme are still very unclear, and although it is due to start in September 2020, a launch date is still to be announced.
At Tamar Energy Community (TEC) we see a role in providing advice to householders, but do not forsee TEC being part of the delivery supply chain. We would advice any customers interested in this offer to register their interest with us here.
TEC will be working, together with other community energy groups across Devon, to better understand the scheme, application processes and related administration, and the accredited suppliers able to deliver the measures in your home.
As soon as TEC has enough information to provide further guidance we will be in touch and we will contact you to let you know when applications open.
These schemes can be complicated and we will not be able to provide one to one advice to every interested household across our area. In order to give you the information you need, we intend to organise one, or several, online meeting(s) to provide guidance in an accessible format.
Category: News
Lockdown Interview by Links Magazines – Tamar Energy Community tells us about saving money
We’d like to thank Tim Randall from Links Magazines for his time and attention in inviting Tamar Energy Community (TEC) to participate in Links Magazines series of Localdown Interviews.
Thanks also to Andy Coulson from our TEC team being up for the Zoom Lockdown interview.
Listen and watch here to find out more about:
- how we, at TEC, have adapted our services to enable us to continue to work with you.
- top tips for making your home energy efficient and the importance of taking time NOW to prepare for winter energy costs
- our community energy projects designed to develop and generate energy locally and plough the profits back into the community
- our forthcoming Community Share Offer
- a welcome to anyone across the area with an interest in localising energy, particularly anyone with engineering, educational, social media or finance skills to get more involved.
If you would like to get in touch you can email (hello@tamarenergycommunity.com) or give us a ring – 0800-233-5414.
Climate Emergency into Positive Action – Fri. 6th March 2020
When: Fri Mar 6th, 18:30 for 19:00
Where: Lower Deck Cafe, United Reforned Church, Russell Street, Tavistock. PL19 8BD
We had a great evening with 50 attendees. Thanks everyone for joining us and very many thanks to Blue Skies Catering for the wonderful vegan Jambalaya which we all enjoyed.
TEC AGM: Ran from 19:00 to 19:30. Minutes will be available in April 20
The event: Thanks to our speakers for the informative presentations and for the lively and positive discussions. We will share a summary and the presentations soon including:
- Art and Energy – building community support – with Jenny Ayrton (Art & Energy CIC)
- What’s West Devon Borough Council doing? How can we help? – Cllr. Neil Jory (Leader, WDBC)
- Let’s hear from Tavistock Town Council – Lesley Crawford (TTC)
- Communities and the smart energy revolution- Ky Hoare, Regen
- The future of 21st century housing – fit for the future – Kate Royston (Tamar Energy Community)
- Our Community Share Offer launching soon – TEC
- What can I do? – All
The participation: We had a number of participatory activities including a “What can I do” board. We’ll be publishing this very soon.
Read more about the event and the topics here
Tamar Energy Community Annual General Meeting – Fri. 6th March 2020
Formal Notice of Tamar Energy Community’s Annual General Meeting … Friday 6th March 2020.
You are hereby notified that the Annual General Meeting of Tamar Energy Community will be held on Friday 6th March 2020 in the Lower Deck Cafe, United Reformed Church, Russell Street, Tavistock. PL19 8BD.
Refreshments will be available from 18:30. The formal proceedings will commence at 19:00.
Agenda:
- Welcome to Members
- Apologies for absence
- Minutes and matters arising from the previous AGM
- Presenting our Accounts and Reports of the Board
- The Application of Profits
- Resolution 1: To apply the audit exemption
- Election of the Board
- Any other business
- Date of next meeting
It would help us plan the event including refreshments and seating if you could let us know if you’re planning to attend (Email hello@tamarenergycommunity.com).
The formal agenda will be followed by our interactive event “Climate Emergency into Positive Action” including:
- Art and Energy – building community support – with Naomi and Jenny (Art & Energy CIC)
- What’s West Devon Borough Council doing? How can we help? – Cllr. Neil Jory
- Communities and the smart energy revolution- Regen (TBC)
- The future of 21st century housing – Community ownership? – TBC
- Our Community Share Offer launching soon – TEC
- What can I do? – All
Close by 21:30 with time for chatting and refreshments
Tamar Energy Fest – Powering Change
Tamar Energy Fest – Sat. Nov 23rd – 10:00-15:00 – Butchers Hall, Tavistock
Powering Change
Energy advice and information, exhibitors, activities for children (and adults),
Energy cafe with delicious cake, informal talks and more
More details here
Keeping Warm and Well this Autumn and Winter
October’s a good time to be thinking about how prepared we all are for the colder weather before it arrives.
There are a number of things to consider and practical measures that we can all take to make sure we stay warm and well.
It’s a good idea to track your energy use and understand how much you’re using at different times of the year. This can help in managing your energy bills (gas, electricity, LPG, oil, wood etc.). Making sure you’re on a good deal is also important. Switching gas and electricity providers is much easier these days.
Now is also the time to check if you’re eligible for the £140 annual Warm Home Discount and, if you’re of pensionable age or have any vulnerability (e.g. disability or ill health) to sign up for the Priority Services Register.
LED lights can help reduce your bills, particularly if you are still using halogen or old-fashioned light bulbs which can cost ten times as much as LEDs. Using a slow cooker and a microwave can also reduce the cost of cooking.
Dealing with damp is essential. Damp air takes longer to heat and will cost more, and mould is dangerous for your health. Always ventilate well. Seek advice if you think you have structural or plumbing problems causing damp.
Stopping your heat escaping is key to staying warm. Draught busting (e.g. door and window strips, thermal blinds, chimney balloons, floor board strips) can make a big difference. Check that you have enough insulation in the loft, cavity walls are filled, pipes are lagged and radiators on external walls have reflectors. Underfloor and solid wall insulation could also be options. You may be eligible for help with insulation.
An efficient heating system and suitable heating controls that you understand are most important. Central heating boilers should also be serviced at least once every two years.
If you don’t have a central heating system, there are some schemes available across West Devon to help with first time central heating as well as broken or very inefficient heating systems.
If your home is suitable, solar panels on the roof can help reduce electricity bills and can help with hot water with the right sort of tank and a solar diverter. Eligible households with electric heating may be able to get a system at a reduced cost system.
If you’d like to talk through any of the above points, and/or would like some help, you can get in touch with Tamar Energy Community (TEC). TEC is your local community energy organisation and provides independent advice and support to help and guide you.
TEC’s Warm and Well service is available across West Devon and S.E. Cornwall and TEC works closely with West Devon Borough Council and others across the area.
TEC is able to offer free home visits across West Devon through LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership) to a wide range of households. This home visit will look at all aspects of energy in your home and includes installation of a number of free easy measures including up to 10 LEDs.
To find out more or to book an appointment please call 0800-233-5414, email hello@tamarenergycommunity.com or check out tamarenergycommunity.com/energy-advice.
You’ll also find us at the Tamar Energy Fest in Butcher’s Hall on Saturday Nov. 23rd (10:00 to 15:00).
Powering Change at Tamar Energy Fest
We were delighted to have over 500 people visit us on Sat. 23rd Nov. 2019.
Butchers Hall, Tavistock was a great success as a venue. More here
Greenlands Energy Hour – Thurs. 15th August, 19:00
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Imaging Alternatives – Feast for the Future
We’ve been taking part in an initiative developed by University of Plymouth, Regen and South Dartmoor Community Energy called Imagining Alternatives – Feasts for the Future.
Building on the successful Community Energy Feasts Regen has organised in the past, the idea was to bring different groups together to reflect and celebrate together about what we’d like to see in our Utopian future of 2068.
Tamar Energy Community held its feast on Friday 15th February at the Lower Deck Cafe, URC, Russell Street in Tavistock and 28 of us enjoyed a Vegan Feast provided by Blue Skies Catering.
If you’d like to join us please book BY TUESDAY EVE- Feb 12th by registering here on Eventbrite.
An important aspect of the Feast was the shared table which has been handmade by Devon craftsman Barnaby Stone. Everyone had a chance to sit at the table and leave their mark by creating their own pattern. The table has been to five feasts and a different sort of wood was used for each.
We used this occasion to celebrate our achievements so far, chat about the future, and in particular how we can contribute to the challenges of significant carbon reduction by 2030 … Twelve Years!
A summary of our ambitions will be available shortly.
We’re pressing ahead in 2019
In 2019 here at Tamar Energy Community we’ll be pressing ahead with our work focusing on:
- Energy Advice and Support including our Home Visits and Clinics … with particular emphasis on improving domestic energy efficiency and reducing bills.
- Our community owned renewables as well as advice on options for domestic and non-domestic renewable energy installations
- Local smart energy innovation including our OpenLV pilot.
If you’d like to know more, or would like to get more involved, please let us know.
We’ll be holding a monthly Energy Group Forum where we’ll be discussing ongoing work, lessons learnt and opportunities. Email if you’d like to be added to the invitee list.
If you have skills in marketing, social media, IT, engineering, energy, finance etc. or would just like to come and help out in Local Matters for a couple of hours on a Monday to Saturday please get in touch.
Or come along to Green Drinks – second Tuesday of each month from 19:30 to 21:30 – to join an informal discussion. Check out: tamarenergycommunity/greendrinks for the location.