Eco-Homes Success

Both the Totnes and District open eco-homes weekend and the  Totnes eco-homes fair were very well attended this year, with much enthusiastic feedback.

In total there were over 350 visits to the 17 open eco-homes and projects, several of which  had not been open previously. For example, The Merchant's House in T0tnes demonstrated how simple draught busting measures,  such as draught stripping around windows and external doors can reduce  energy losses from air infiltration in an older home by over 40% .The newly built straw bale house at Capton Spring showed how natural materials can be used to create a beautiful and energy efficient home, while  visitors  to a refurbished 1970s bungalow enjoyed rides in an electric car. There will be further information about some of the homes on the TTT website later in the month.

Over 400 people visited  the Eco-Homes fair in the Civic Hall. The 21 exhibitors included  domestic renewable energy suppliers, eco-builders, a  external wall insulation specialist, TRESOC and the Totnes Neighbourhood plan.  There was much interest at the Transition Town Totnes stand in the draught busting project which provides both guidance and low cost, but effective materials. In addition, there were 3 talks, including Julie Boultby of  APSE Architecture and Planning  talking about restoring her listed Dartmoor home using natural materials (pictured below), as well as an exciting straw bale building demonstration by Transition Homes Community Land Trust on the Civic Hall ramp.