The Dunbar Carbon Neutral Project

Happy New Year from Be Green Dunbar!

It has been a very cold start to 2009 so staying warm is important! Many local people booked surveys for loft and cavity wall insulation as a result of the Hot Spot campaign run by the Energy Savings Trust last year. If you did not take advantage of the Hot Spot campaign you can still insulate your loft and cavity walls at a competitive price. Come in and see Sheila our Project Administrator in the Be Green shop for further details.

The Be Green shop has been open since 20 November. We are pleased to report that in the 3 weeks leading up to Christmas over 50 residents dropped in to discuss ways of improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Please pop in for a chat. We can offer:

• advice and information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce your energy consumption
• information about alternative technologies such as heat pumps and micro-renewables such as solar panels, wind and bio-mass
• information on grants available to help you cover the costs of making your home more energy efficient and installing new appliances and technologies
• assistance with applying for grants

Our drop-in advice shop can be found at 16 West Port, just off Dunbar High Street. We are open:

• Wednesday 9.30-12.30
• Thursday 9.30-12.30 & 2.30-4.30
• Friday 9.30-12.30
• Saturday 9-12 (check shop for Saturday openings)

Or call administrator Shiela Kerr on 01368 863720

Wind power in the West Port

British Energy recently ran a competition for local primary schools. Their remit was they were on a desert island with no trees and had to provide an energy source. The project submissions were assessed for their technical details and best methods. “All of the exhibits were amazing and inventive” said Dunbar Councillor Norman Hampshire who was on the competition selection panel. East Linton Primary School won first prize of £500 for their winning wind turbine.

East Linton Primary School’s wind turbine was kindly loaned to the Be Green shop and displayed in the shop window during the festive period.

Energy Saving ideas

Be Green Dunbar recommends these energy advice sheets from the Centre for Alternative Technology and you may want to visit the Carbon Gym to assess your carbon footprint. Alternatively, you can visit the Energy Saving Trust website for a free home energy check and to check what grants you may be eligible for. Together we can reduce Fuel Poverty and Carbon Emissions, whilst also saving you money!

Our partners

The Dunbar Carbon Neutral Project is a partnership between Sustaining Dunbar, Dunbar Community Development Company and Community Windpower Ltd with a steering group which includes representatives from Dunbar, Dunpender, West Barns and East Lammermuir Community Councils and Dunbar Secondary School.

Dunbar Carbon Neutral is a not-for profit community trust supported with funds from Community Windpower Ltd.