Green Buildings: Energy Efficiency
Community halls, especially village halls and churches, are usually old, cold and draughty buildings, and are expensive to heat. In helping to save the environment, the global problem of climate change needs to be addressed by all and community halls in rural areas are no exception. Some rural communities have taken the initiative to make changes to their community buildings which has resulted in the provision of a greener, warmer and more comfortable meeting place for all, while at the same time reducing their heating bills.
Church buildings, especially those that provide space for community activities, would be able to provide a low-cost greener, warmer environment under initiatives launched by some church organisations.
- The Church of England has launched a campaign, ‘Shrinking
the Footprint’ in an effort to address the problems and
issues related to climate change. The objective of the campaign is to
reduce carbon emissions to 40% of the current levels by 2050 in their
churches, resulting in ‘The 40% Church’.
'Shrinking the Footprint Path’ outlines the steps that should be taken to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources by 2008. http://www.shrinkingthefootprint.cofe.anglican.org/path.php
- Operation Noah is a project of the Environmental Issues Network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. http://www.christian-ecology.org.uk/noah Their ‘Cool Church Toolkit’ outline measures that churches could use to make a difference by reducing gas emission - http://www.christian-ecology.org.uk/noah/cool-church-toolkit.doc
- Eco-congregation - Eco-congregation is an ecumenical programme helping churches make the link between environmental issues and Christian faith, and respond in practical action in the church, in the lives of individuals, and in the local and global community. Visit the website at www.ecocongregation.org for further information.
There is support, advice and funding available to assist community halls to become more energy efficient and reduce emissions as well as make savings. It is becoming more and more common for funders to give grants for projects that address the issue of climate change. Community hall managers should consider this aspect especially when undertaking renovation work, extensions or building new halls.
WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT DOING?
Addressing the issue of climate change is one of the main agenda across Government. The Government is committed to reducing carbon emissions
- Defra’s Sustainable Development Unit provides useful information on sustainable buildings. ‘Every Action Counts' is a new initiative, supported by Defra and delivered through a consortium of voluntary and community sector organisations, for community groups, community workers and voluntary and community sector organisations in England. Every Action Counts will help your community group take simple, every day actions which benefit your group, its members and create a cleaner, greener community at the same time. For more information visit the website at www.everyactioncounts.org.uk or telephone them on 0845 241 0957.
- The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI’s) Low carbon
buildings programme provides grants for micro-generation technologies
for householders, community organisations, schools, the public sector
and businesses. Micro-generation is the stand alone generation of low
carbon heat and/or electricity which for example, could be through solar
photovoltaics. For more information visit: www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk
or click
here to view the frequently asked questions. If you would like to
talk to someone about the programme call the free phone helpline on
0800 915 0990.
The programme will run over three years, starting from 1st April 2006 and replaces DTI's Clear Skies and Solar PV programmes, which closed for applications on the 31st March 2006. The programme is UK wide (apart from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and aims to demonstrate how energy efficiency and micro-generation can work hand in hand to create low carbon buildings.
The Low Carbon Buildings Programme have distinct funding streams targeted at different groups including applications for non-profit community organisations such as registered charities and community groups to install micro-generation on community buildings.
- The Department of Communities and Local Government’s (DCLG) website contains a code for sustainable buildings – ‘Factsheet 7: Code for Sustainable Buildings’. This is a voluntary initiative by Government and Industry to actively promote the transformation of the building industry towards more sustainable practices. http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1122897
HELP AND ADVICE FROM ENERGY AGENCIES
- Energy4All is the UK 's leading expert in community-owned renewable energy. It was established in 2002 to expand the number of renewable energy co-operatives in the UK as an integral part of our transition to a low carbon economy. The Energy4All website contains information on community ownership, facts on green energy, links to grants, finances and funds for energy projects and other related websites. For further information visit the website at www.energy4all.co.uk (Energy4All) or telephone 01229 821028.
- The Energy Saving Trust (EST) promotes energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy resources, especially small scale renewable energy such as solar and wind power. EST also promotes the use of better insulation and heating efficiency for buildings. http://www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings/funding/lowcarbonbuildings/
- The Carbon Trust is an independent company funded
by Government. They offer energy advice and help to cut emissions and
develop commercial low carbon technologies non-domestic buildings.
www.thecarbontrust.co.uk - The Community Action for Energy (CAfE) is a programme of the Energy Saving Trust designed to promote and facilitate local community-based energy projects. Café offers membership of a national network and access to support, training, resources and information-sharing opportunities. For further information visit the café website at www.est.org.uk/cafe/ or telephone 08701 261 444.
- Your Local Authority - It is advisable to contact your Local Authority who may have grants available to support community buildings or give you advice on making your halls more energy efficient.
- National Energy Action (www.nea.org.uk) develops and promotes energy efficiency services to tackle the heating and insulation problems of low-income households. Working in partnership with central and local government; with fuel utilities, housing providers and health services; and with consumer organisations, NEA aims to eradicate fuel poverty and campaigns for greater investment in energy efficiency to help those who are poor or vulnerable. The NEA publication, http://www.nea.org.uk/downloads/publications/Energy_Efficiency_in_Community_Buildings.pdf gives advice on energy efficiency in community buildings.
GOOD PRACTICE AND EXEMPLAR HALLS.
Below are a few examples of how some communities have gone about making their community halls ‘greener’ or more energy efficient.
- Gamblesby Village Hall, Cumbria
Gamblesby Village Hall installed underfloor heating, which is the most efficient form of heat distribution. To heat the water in the heating system, they chose to use a ground source heat pump, which uses the latent heat stored in the earth. Ground source heat pumps have a co-efficiency of 1:4, which means that for every kilowatt of energy put in 4 kilowatts of heat is released. Combined with this, wool insulation was used to insulate the Hall, including underfloor and on the walls using a false cavity.
Phase two of the refurbishments are underway, which includes Solar PV tiles and a wind turbine to provide electricity to power the Hall for its own needs. A new kitchen and toilet block are also being constructed, again incorporating sustainable materials, including recycled newspaper insulation. - High Wray Village Hall, Cumbria
High Wray Village Hall have installed the first 12kw air source heat pump in the UK as part of their programme of sustainable improvements. The air source heat pump heats the newly installed fan-assisted radiators which replace the old and ineffective electric storage heaters. To further improve the energy efficiency of the Hall, recycled paper insulation was installed, along with secondary double glazing and low energy light fittings.
As the Hall has no associated grounds, and does not have a favourable facing aspect, Solar PV or wind are not an option, so the Committee have pledged to source their electricity from a 100% renewable supplier to ensure that their Hall has the lowest carbon footprint possible.
Page last modified:
4 September, 2007
Page published: 04 August,
2006