Concern over energy crisis leads to record workshop for Swindon’s award-winning Home Building Visitor Centre.

On Saturday 13th August, the National Self Build & Renovation Centre held a workshop on Heat and Energy – to help homeowners and self builders understand the options available to them to reduce energy consumption and improve the efficiency of their homes.

With record gas and electricity prices, concerns over future costs and where our energy is sourced - combined with increasing awareness of the climate challenge faced by us all - this event was perfectly timed. A record-breaking 357 visitors attended the one day workshop – despite it being a very hot day in the peak of the summer holiday season.

Attendees heard talks on Air Source Heat Pumps, Solar, Battery Storage, Insulation, Heat Recovery systems and much more. The day featured ten talks, culminating in a lively Q&A session.

Harvey Fremlin, the NSBRC’s managing director, said:

“We are all affected by rising energy costs and we want to do our bit to help people by providing free educational events. What is encouraging is that so many people want to take personal responsibility for reducing their own energy consumption and future proofing their homes. In a survey, we produced last month 41% of self-builders said they are planning more energy saving measures due to the cost of living crisis. We can help by displaying the options available, while highlighting the pros and cons of each in an unbiased and impartial way. We have just invested a significant sum on upgrading all our lighting to LEDs, so we are practicing what we preach too!’’

The NSBRC’s annual survey also showed that one of the top motivations for people building their own homes is it to ensure they are sustainable and environmentally friendly and 90% of people responding said they had budgeted for higher levels of insulation than you would find in a typical new-build house.

The NSBRC, which is celebrating its 15-year anniversary throughout 2022, is hosting a large show on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th September. The National Self Build & Renovation Show is a popular event and features a host of talks, masterclasses and Q&A sessions on heating systems, along with a wide range of topics about improving and designing homes.

For more information and to book your free tickets, visit: https://www.nsbrc.co.uk/whats-on/our-events/the-national-self-build-and-renovation-show/

The National Self Build & Renovation Centre is easy to get to, located on Junction 16 of the M4 and parking is plentiful and free!