Eco Workshop - Sustainable Heat & Energy - Sat 10th September 2011

Resident expert Dave Hilton will be accompanied by experts from the eco technology companies to discuss Sustainable Heat & Energy Solutions. At this event you'll be able to really dig deep for information on all the eco technologies on the market at the moment, and perhaps even find out what new systems could be available soon. Find out what's new, what works and what is practical for your home: this is your opportunity to get the facts straight from the experts and join in on the discussions.

The Experts

About David Hilton: David frequently leads seminars, workshops and CPD lectures as well as eco and sustainability training on the self build courses at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon.

He has completed various self builds in South Africa and renovations in the UK and has been involved in designing and installing Solar and heat pump systems since the early 1980s. On the technical side, he is Gassafe registered, an accredited installer of Ground Source and Air Source heat pumps and is currently undertaking an MSc Architecture: Advanced Energy and Environmental Studies.

Eco Technologies Experts

Earth Save Products - Specializes in the provision of products and equipment that radically reduce the energy required to heat buildings or provide hot water. They are part of a company group that has been established for 30 years with an ongoing commitment to improve the environment in which we all live, for the present and the future generations. All of their products have been designed carefully over a number of years to deliver much improved efficiency, reduced cost in running and to be discrete and attractive. They have used tried and tested components that deliver reliability at the same time as being at the leading edge of heating/hot water technology.

Evolved Design & Consultancy - can take you through all stages of Design, Planning, Specifications and Building Processes. They offer a range of design and building solutions that are environmentally friendly using Modern and Traditional methods of construction to provide energy efficient homes. Working closely with their clients to design a home in keeping with the environment in which they wish to live, they can offer advice, guidance and project management every step of the way to create that 'ideal home' perfectly tailored to your individual needs.

Freedom Heat Pumps - Over the last couple of years the heat pump market has begun to blossom, in these heady early days the choices of system are almost infinite but the advice and training available to the installer and end user is varied in quality. Freedom Hp are wholesalers / distributors of heat pump products and ancillaries, we offer free advice about which system suits the project best, what options are available, any cost implications and what the installation requirements are to qualify for government grants, reduced VAT, Renewable heat initiatives, appropriate legislation etc.

Nibe - Most people know that ground source energy saves you money. But did you know that you can actually reduce energy costs by up to 80%*? And what’s more, it’s easy to operate. NIBE offer an array or renewable techologies including Ground Source, Air Source and Exhaust Air Heat Pumps as well as their new Solar Thermal Panels specifically designed to work with Heat Pumps. Come and chat with the experts from NIBE to find out how to get full control over your heating. So you can easily manage your energy consumption, keep an eye on operating hours – or create completely individual, personal settings.
* compared to direct electricity.

MCZ - MCZ manufacture wood pellet boilers for central heating that reduce your energy bill. Eligible domestic installations will be able to receive the Government Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) when it is introduced (2012) and £950 per boiler installed for individual domestic installations from August 2011. The type of renewable energy fuel used by the MCZ technology is wood pellet, a biomass heating fuel manufactured in the UK according to European standards. Please consult the documentation available on www.decc.gov.uk or www.energysavingtrust.org.uk to know more about the RHI for domestic biomass boilers, there is money available to help you install one in your home.

PLUS: The Green Team
Architect: Opinder Liddar, LAPD Architects
SAP Assessor: Sue Dewhirst; Evolved Design
Environmental Building Systems Adviser: Ian Jones; Environmental Building Services
Project Management Expert: Bob Harris, Whitehall Property Services Ltd
Eco Materials: Joe Wild, Ecomerchant

The Seminars

10.00 - 10.30	Finding, Funding & Protecting Your Project	David Murphy
This first seminar of the day, sponsored by BuildStore - the Self Build & Renovation specialists, looks at how to find the ideal project, raise funds and protect your investment. The BuildStore team will also be available throughout the day to give you one-to-one advice on any of these subjects.

Permanent Exhibits

The National Self Build & Renovation Centre has been built on a scale previously unseen in the UK. Here you can walk through exhibits that explain - in exploded detail - every step of the self build and renovation processes. Trade Village The permanent exhibition area containing over 200 exhibitor stands, covering everything you'll need to undertake your project. Wolseley Building The Wolseley Building has four key zones; the Wolseley Theatre, a Bathstore Showroom, a Moores Kitchen Showroom and a builders merchant branch area where visitors can place orders! The house has numerous different products installed for visitors to see in situ; many of these are 'eco' products such as LED lighting, sun scoops, thermowood timber cladding, sheepswool insulation and others. Educational Journey A fully guided audio tour taking you round a fantastic selection of life-sized exhibits, featuring cutaways of groundworks, foundations, walls, roofs and more. If you're considering self building then don't miss this! Renovation House Take a walk through the front doors of this full-size renovation project and see the house come to life before your eyes. The audio guide explains every step of the process to give you a deeper understanding of what a renovation project entails. Potton Show House Full of character and the latest technology, this show home is an inspiration to self builders, no matter what your tastes. Outdoor Living Zone Everything you could need to finish off the exterior of your home, from hard landscaping to living roofs, to the Potton Zone Studios. Design Centre Browse through hundreds of designs and get ideas for your own home. Finance Zone Speak to our specially trained self build & renovation finance advisors to find the best way of funding your project. PlotSearch Search thousands of plots and renovation projects across the country, the first step to building your dream home! TradeCard Chat to our TradeCard advisors and learn how to save £1000s on materials. Experts A selection of experts are based in the Centre on a permanent basis to speak to you about your particular project and answer any questions you may have about self build, renovation, planning, design, project management and so on.

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