We are running our second energy study to include all the houses in the Poets Way estate. We chose this area because they are all similar houses built around the same time. We will be taking Gas and Electricity readings for the Jan/Feb period 2012

The first study in Fordington Avenue found that just being part of a scheme like this, motivated people to think about their usage and make changes.

The worst consumer of electricity in Phase 1 was stung into replacing light bulbs and changing behaviour that led to a 45% reduction in energy used on his next bill when compared with the same period the previous year.

We felt the results were positive and encouraged us to embark on this project.

To find out more email us at streetchampions@greeningfulflood.org.uk.

We held our first Open Greenhouse event in February. It was a great success with over 170 person/visits to the 8 houses on show. Some received over 20 visitors on both afternoons resulting in lots of interesting discussion.

You can read our conclusions in an in depth report on the organisation and running of the event by clicking here. You may find it especially helpful if you want to run a similar event.

Since we ran the weekend we have found examples of other innovations which we will be showing in the next Open Greenhouse.

If you are interested in energy reduction, we are looking for a representative from each street in Fulflood, to help us roll out an eco project to reduce household energy usage.

The idea is a simple one - to compare energy consumption of similar houses within a street, to share ideas and good practice and ultimately to reduce energy and save money.

We successfully piloted the project in Fordington Avenue, as part of Greening Fulflood, and residents have been able to anonymously compare their energy usage. As a result of this, armed with this knowledge, residents now have a realistic achievable target.

As eco rep you would coordinate energy readings from your street and provide suggestions and information. The work is not arduous, requires very little effort and is not paid. The project works best when a resident of that street makes personal contact with the other residents.
It is a good opportunity to get involved in doing something to reduce carbon emissions and to save on household energy bills.

Please email us at streetchampions@greeningfulflood.org.uk and we can meet up. If you have a friend who might be interested, bring them along too.

Smart meters are a very easy and convenient way for you to monitor your electricity usage. You can see what difference boiling a kettle really has. Greening Fulfloood have bought two Owl energy monitors, which are available for anyone in Fulflood to borrow free of charge (although any donation would be be welcomed!)

It is an addictive way for all the family to engage in reducing consumption.

email us on greeningfulflood@googlemail.com to book yourself a monitor.

Did you know that if you are an E.ON customer you can claim a free one and have access to their free online energy tracker. For more information click here.

As a result of everybody’s efforts during the challenge over the summer Fulflood will save every year:

• 59 tonnes of carbon (enough to fill 59 ten metre diameter balloons or 177 telephone boxes, or, in six years, the whole of the interior of Winchester Cathedral), and
• 72 tonnes of water (2½ water tankers).

This will reduce Fulflood bills by over £11,000 per year.

1 in 12 of Fulflood households participated, and the campaign believes many other households had already taken similar steps. The highest level of participation was in Wordsworth Close.

Thank you to everyone that participated in any event connect to Greening Fulflood