Tuesday 30 November 2010

Energy revamp saves historic hall

Residents in a Hereford village have prevented soaring energy bills from shutting down their 126-year-old village hall.

Goodrich hall was losing approximately 75% of its heat through poor insulation, pushing its annual electricity bills to £1800.

But following the installation of solar thermal and solar photovoltaic panels and two air source heat pumps, the hall's electricity consumption has been cut by more than 50%.

Renewable electricity supplier Good Energy carried out the work, and chief executive Juliet Davenport said: "This project is a fantastic example of how a community can come together and establish a brilliant renewable energy project which they can all benefit from.

"Gradually, as more communities and individuals take up similar opportunities, we will move towards a nation powered by 100% renewable energy."

The regeneration project was started by Andrew Bartle, who said: "Local buildings such as our village hall are an essential part of community life. We wanted to create a self-financing village hall in order to ease the potential burden for future trustees. Now we have a cosy, welcoming hall which has regenerated our community."

Mr Bartle raised £76,000 of finance through various grants and local fundraising to buy the insulation and solar technology, which will now generate 5,956 kWh a year for the hall.

Energy Minister Greg Barker last week urged local communities to become more energy self sufficient.