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Introduction to Energize Oxford

Martin Carr, from Energize Oxford, explains his work.

The Next Step

Energize Oxford

So you know all about alternative lighting, how ground source heat pumps work, you can tell the difference between a condensing and non condensing boiler, even what insulation materials are best for cavity walls, but what do you do with all of this information? How can you apply it to suit your particular house, your circumstances and the hard earned money you have put aside for your green refurb?

As an energy auditor I spend my time working with people to find a strategy, a way of prioritising and quantifying all the possible solutions to the problems posed by their homes, that makes sense of all this knowledge and is crafted to their specific situation.

The process begins with knowing where you are already: taking stock of your house, measuring and assessing the building construction, its age, levels of insulation, air tightness, type of lights, windows, the boiler age type and what level of controls, putting together a picture of the building's energy efficiency profile, its strengths and weaknesses and noting how it can be improved upon.

The strategy needs to start with energy efficiency, making sure that what energy you use is not wasted, and it concentrates on fabric and air tightness. That means insulation in the roof, for the walls and under the floors if possible. Then comes air tightness, is there too much uncontrolled ventilation, open unused chimneys, draughty floors doors and windows?

Secondly is energy usage, the type of fuel and how it's used. Appropriate heating and hot water options can vary according to your pattern of usage, for instance a young family may have quite different hot water demands to a retired couple, a compact town house may not be appropriate for a wood chip boiler as that needs a large storage space, solar power needs a roof that's has space facing towards the sun. The various options can depend on what you are trying to achieve, are you all out for minimum CO2, or trying to cut back on the cost of heating your home, your priorities here are crucial. If you're a DIY expert then you may be able to save money by fitting some things yourself, then being able to afford a better bit of kit later.

Sometimes when I've finished showing people my findings a very interesting conversation follows, as people see how this can help them realise their goals, by downsizing or simplifying things they find the energy for other priorities they didn't have time for. As we sit around the kitchen table with all the figures out in front of us people have a chance to see how things might be, it can even feel subversive as we plot a new way of life that does away with the consumerist lifestyle, and you realise this is what you were looking for all along. This is my work and I love it!

You may know all this and feel able to assess your building yourself and prioritise what to do with it but if you don't know how to, for instance, identify a cavity wall and whether it has been insulated, then perhaps I can help: an energy audit can work out all the options and produce a list of recommendations suited to your home's situation with estimates for CO2 saved as well as money saved, that will fit with your budget and the ways you want to use the home. Why not call and we can discuss the next steps, costs, grants, equipment and local installers, but more importantly, running cost savings, CO2 reductions and the low carbon life you desire.