In praise of Bristol Green Doors
I’ve spent an enjoyable half day visiting houses in Cotham and Redland. The householders had opened up their homes not to prospective buyers but to everyone who wanted ideas on how to reduce our domestic carbon footprint.
I saw examples of wood burning stoves, solar water heating tubes, double glazing to Victorian sash windows, internal wall and under floor insulation and a host of other tips on eco-living. I will be moving house myself shortly so will be trying to install some of these measures, once my finances allow!
I spoke at the launch event of Bristol Green Doors a few months ago. We should all be grateful to the organisers and all the householders who’ve taken part, all over Bristol.
You can see more here http://www.bristolgreendoors.org/
The event complements Bristol’s usual heritage themed Doors Open Day, which I enjoy every year. This year I made just one visit, to Muller House, home of the remarkable George Muller who provided accommodation for thousands of orphans.
I’ll shortly be off to Temple Meads to get the train to London ready to travel to Washington DC. This is for the annual exchange visit of Members of Parliament to the US Congress. We will meet politicians and diplomats over a ten day programme of activities. I’ll try to give blog updates while I’m there.
Thanks Stephen
The Green Doors are open again today.
It really is a great opportunity to think about how we can make our homes more comfortable, energy efficient and sustainable. I was particularly interested in how our older houses could be insulated, draught proofed, warmed and cooled most cost-effectively, but there was also the opportunity to see rain water harvesting and other water saving ideas.
One of the (two?) oldest houses in Montpelier has a large water containing Cistern under the kitchen floor, which in years gone by collected the rain water from the farmhouse roof and was then hand pumped up to use in the kitchen!
The heating for the converted office block (bold red coloured building, by the eco self builds) in St Werburghs is also astonishing. Most water is heated by solar roof panels, but when necessary the biomass boiler kicks in, running on compressed sawdust pellets.
There was so much friendly enthusiasm to go with the “energy” – it really is a great event.
Well done to all the organisers, volunteers and home owners.