Updates
13th February 2011 - Another Boiler scrappage scheme - There has been no fanfare whatsoever about it but there is money available for replacement boilers under another boiler scrappage scheme. See http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Scotland-Welcome-page/At-Home/Home-Energy-Scotland/Scottish-Boiler-Scrappage-Scheme
3rd February 2011 - Some local residents have expressed interest in the idea of community allotments and polytunnel. To assess wider interest we have issued an emailed questionnaire to householders asking for their opinions. If there is sufficient interest the trust will bid for money from the Climate Challenge Fund to progress the idea.
11th January 2011 - Battery recycling - A couple of local residents have suggested we have some form of battery recycling facility made available in the villages. Such a facility is now available in the ADT shop on Front Street in Braco. Just about any size of portable, sealed, batteries will be accepted. Bring your old batteries!
5th January 2011 - Scot and Mike would like to wish all our readers a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011.
16th December 2010 - There is nothing like a cold spell to make us realise just how expensive it is to heat our homes. Perhaps now is the time to check that you are doing what you can to reduce your energy bills. Our energy advisor Scot can do a full home energy audit and perhaps identify areas that will help save you money. The Powerdown Project finishes at the end of March 2011 so be quick.
5th October 2010 - Alas, the Powerdown Project did not win the award last week. Never mind, it was good that our efforts have at least been noticed.
25th September 2010 - The Powerdown Project, of which Ardoch Powerdown is a part, has been nominated for the community initiative prize at the Scottish Green Awards 2010 at Glasgow Science Centre on 30th September.
3rd September 2010 - The radiator reflectors have been delivered and are now available for collection from the new ADT premises in Front Street. Count how many radiators you have on external walls and come along and collect the required number of reflectors and double sided tape. Go to the links page to find a link to a video that explains how to fit these radiator reflectors.
30th August 2010 - Ardoch Development Trust moved into their new premises last week. Your Powerdown Officer will have a desk there, as will your energy advisor Scot. There are all sorts of plans for the shop on Front Street so do pop in for a look and chat.
16th August 2010 - The latest edition of the Powerdown Newsletter should be falling through your letter boxes this week. An online version is available here.
13th August 2010 - It has taken a while to finalise but the Ardoch Oil Buying Club is finally up and running. This is an opportunity for the householders of Braco and Greenloaning to purchase their heating oil at a discounted price. More information can be found here and a joining form here.
2nd July 2010 - IMPORTANT UPDATE - the home renewables grant scheme is closing soon. This grant, of up to 30% of set up costs, will close to all new applications at 5.30pm on Friday 23rd July 2010.
1st July 2010 - There has been considerable interest in setting up an oil buying club for householders in the area. Those interested may wish to come along to a meeting to discuss the idea. This will be on Monday 5th July at 8pm in Braco hall.
10th June 2010 - Householders in Braco and Greenloaning have been given a boost in their efforts to reduce their energy consumption by the appointment of local resident Scot Corrigan (below) as an energy advisor, a post made possible by funding from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund.
The energy advisor will assist householders in implementing measures aimed at reducing their energy consumption by an average of 10% for a total carbon dioxide reduction of over 100 tonnes per year. To help achieve this target Scot will be making house visits when he will run full home energy audits. These will be useful in showing simple measures that householders can take to not only reduce their carbon dioxide emissions but also save money. Any householders wanting a free home energy audit should contact Scot or Mike Wilson, the Powerdown Officer on 01786 880934 or mob. 07826773669.
26th May 2010 - Several householders have asked me how they should dispose of low energy light bulbs once they no longer work. The official Perth and Kinross line is that they should be taken to the council recycling centre and placed at the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling point. The nearest is in Auchterarder.
I have added a couple more websites to the useful links page (top left). Do have a look.
UPDATE - The Scottish Government Boiler Scrappage Scheme (shown on the 'useful links' page) has closed with all vouchers snapped up. This has happened very quickly, the scheme only opened on the 24th May!
11th May 2010 - There's a great way to check how your carbon footprint compares with others in your community. Go to the Green Communities Footprint Tool here. If you put Braco in the search box you will find your community already set up. If you register you can be included in the Braco and Greenloaning Powerdown community, then answer some simple questions to find out your carbon footprint.
5th May 2010 - I have added some new websites to the 'useful links' page shown at the top left of this page.
30th April 2010 - Grants for Household Renewables IMPORTANT CHANGES - The Scottish Government have announced some important changes to the household renewable grant scheme. Electricity generating renewables (solar photovoltaic (PV), wind turbines, and small scale hydro turbines) no longer qualify for the 30% grant. In addition, the interest free loan has had its maximum reduced to £4000 per applicant. However, the 30% grant IS STILL AVAILABLE for renewable heating technologies such as solar thermal panels, air/ground/water source heat pumps and wood fuel boilers. More details are available here
18th April 2010 - We have now prepared the job specification for the Energy Advisor post. If you are interested in applying this information is available from the downloads etc link on the column on the left of this page.
16th April 2010 - Well Mike certainly enjoyed his presentation to the WRI last night and hopes those in attendance did too. A big thank you to the organisers for the invitation to present information about the Powerdown Project and a special thank you from Mike to Jennifer Stephen for the excellent gluten free cakes she made just for him.
15th April 2010 - There is a presentation by Mike Wilson tonight to the Women's Rural Institute in Braco Hall at 7.30pm. He hopes to highlight the aims and benefits to householders of the Powerdown Project.
1st April 2010 - Mike put in a bid with the Carbon Challenge Fund to fund the appointment of a part-time energy advisor and after what seems a long wait has found out he was successful. Preparations are now ongoing to get an appointment made as soon as possible.
24th February 2010 - The second edition of the Powerdown News is in the post to all homes in the area. A downloadable version is available via the appropriate link on the left of this page.
21st January 2010 - Mike has made an application to the Scottish Government's Carbon Challenge Fund for funding to appoint a part-time Energy Advisor, someone dedicated to encouraging and assisting completion of EST home energy checks and following up on the recommendations made in the resulting reports produced by EST.
18th January 2010 - All homes in Braco and Greenloaning should have received in the post a copy of the Powerdown calendar. I hope these are useful to you. If you did not get one please contact me at either of the telephone numbers or email shown on the 'About Powerdown' link.
4th December 2009 - We now have the Home Energy Reports back from the Energy Savings Trust and I will shortly be contacting householders who completed a Home Energy Check questionnaire. A big thank you to those householders in Braco and Greenloaning who have completed these forms.
11th Sept 2009- Do you want to find out where in your house you are losing heat? If so, then you may be interested in getting thermal images taken of your house. These really show where the heat is escaping - Contact Mike for further details.
8th Sept 2009 - Most of the newsletters have been delivered now. There are just one or two more to be delivered to the harder to reach households. Inside the newsletter is a Home Energy Check. Please fill this in and send to me via the FREEPOST envelope. The form will give me a better understanding of the current energy use within Braco and Greenloaning and identify areas for action.
19th Aug 2009 - The first Powerdown News should be arriving at your door in the next few days. Say hello to the guy delivering it!
Mike has some power meters that can be borrowed by householders in Braco and Greenloaning. These are really good for showing you how much electricity you are using at any one time and also give you readings by day, month and year. They also allow you to see the effect of turning individual items on and off. To borrow one contact Mike.
