What is Energy Saving Homes and the Energy Saving Fair?

This week, over 40 homes across the city are opening their doors to their neighbours to show what they have done to make their home cheaper to run and better for the climate.

Under the banner of Communities for Zero Carbon Oxford, and with funding from the Low Carbon Hub and Oxford City Council, Oxford’s low carbon community groups have come together to support residents in facing rising energy costs and the climate crisis, with a week of Energy Saving Homes, and the Energy Saving Fair this Sunday.

As energy prices skyrocket, Energy Saving Homes is a great opportunity for people to have a look at all sorts of measures and chat with people who have done them.  From cutting-edge whole house retrofits, to low cost and easy DIY, there is something to inspire everyone.

At the Energy Saving Fair this Sunday, you’ll find stalls from contractors, suppliers and those working to support people like you to make your home more energy efficient; there is also a series of free talks, including a session for landlords on upcoming requirements, and one on cheap energy saving tips and funding.  Sign up for talks here.

Why do we need this project?

In addition to the crazy prices we’ll be facing to heat our homes this coming winter, this project is paving the way to net zero and a brighter future in terms of tackling climate change.  Oxford City Council committed to a target of net zero by 2040 (find out what net zero means here), ten years ahead of the UK’s 2050 target.  To get to net zero, it is crucial we get the city’s 55,000 homes up to scratch, as domestic emissions account for a whopping 25% of the city’s total emissions.  The Zero Carbon Oxford Partnership’s Roadmap and Action Plan states that we need a cut in 84% of emissions from homes by 2040 to get to net zero.

So, how will we do this?

• Improving energy efficiency (wall, loft and underfloor insulation; LED lights; double glazing)
• Electrification of heat (e.g. air source heat pumps in 60% of homes by 2040)
• Rolling out rooftop solar (0nto 20% of exisiting homes by 2025, and 55% of homes by 2040)

We also urgently need support from the government…

This all sounds great, and a really good starting point is to show Oxford residents what this might look like, by inviting them into homes already making this a reality.

However, this ambitious change will not happen without:

1. People with the skills, knowledge and capacity to DO the work – install the heat pumps, insulation, solar panels…
2. FUNDING to make these measures affordable for homeowners and landlords.

This needs to come from government.  And the time is NOW.

Financial support that is available to you today

To find out what funding IS available at the moment for Oxford residents, and read our cheap tips for all, head to our home energy page.

We hope to see you this week!

If you are in the Oxford area, and would like to come and see what might be possible in your home, whether you’re a homeowner, a tenant or a landlord, we’d love to see you this week.

Check out which homes are open when here: https://oxford.greenopenhomes.net/energy-saving-homes-oxford-259

Join us at the FREE Energy Saving Fair this Sunday, where you’ll find stalls, freebies to make your home more energy-efficient and cut your bils, and talks from experts: https://oxford.greenopenhomes.net/energy-saving-fair-oxford-262

We hope to see you there!