Demonstrator Property - Ann Rhodes Community Centre, Brampton Bierlow
Capital funding was also secured as part of the CLG eco-towns and eco-developments programme to provide a so-called "demonstrator property" to showcase to local people new energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and measures that can be used to reduce household bills.
The Ann Rhodes Community Centre in Brampton and the flat above have undergone a substantial “green-over” to reduce the building's carbon emissions and make it more energy efficient, in a bid to help local people understand how they can benefit from similar technology
MP for Wentworth and the Dearne, John Healey, and the Deputy Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Dave Pickering, officially opened the flat on Friday 29 July 2011 and welcomed members of the public to look round and learn more about saving energy and reducing their fuel bills.
At the official opening of the property, John Healey MP said, “Housing is responsible for almost a third of UK carbon emissions, making it a key area for us to tackle as part of the Dearne Valley Eco-Vision. In addition, four out of five homes that will be available in 20 years time have already been built. A key challenge therefore is to tackle the energy efficiency of the existing housing stock and this demonstrator property will help to raise awareness amongst residents and provide information and advice to local people about how they can do this.”
Residents from across the Dearne Valley will be able to view the property and talk to energy advisors for more information and advice. A timetable of opening times will be advertised, with drop- in sessions and pre-arranged group visits being available as part of the schedule.
Local sustainable energy experts, SIG Energy Management, have installed innovative technologies such as solar panels and air-source heat pumps, combined with more traditional methods of insulation, to reduce running costs and demonstrate to residents and service-users the benefits that using new technologies can bring.
Neil Donald, Managing Director at SIG Energy Management, said: “Through our new Insight Programme, we’ve put the property through a full audit so we could identify which technologies and solutions could be put in place to maximise the energy efficiency performance."
