Home shows off its savings

The inconspicuous terraced house in Albert Street, Nelson has been converted into an energy efficient model for future generations to use as a blueprint for saving money on heating bills and helping the environment.

The eco friendly house includes measures relating to insulation, energy efficiency and sustainability, all of which are aimed at reducing energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and playing a part in helping to preserve the environment.

Chief executive of Pendle council, Stephen Barnes said: "This is another first for Pendle. It demonstrates how improvements can make a difference to people's fuel bills."

The house was bought by the council with funding secured from the Pendle Partnership. All the necessary conversions were carried out by a contractor operating under the Pendle Young Builder's Project and took eight months to complete. Around 20 Pendle companies donated equipment installed in the house.

Steven Whittaker, the council's energy efficiency officer, said: "This project has only been possible to the generosity of the many companies that have donated the equipment and supplies fitted in the house."

There are around 20,000 terraced properties in Pendle which were built before 1919 when energy efficiency was far down the list of a developer's considerations.

The homes are characterised by solid walls, poor roof insulation and basic heating provision -- all of which make for poor energy efficiency.

A statement issued by the council's affordable warmth strategy steering group said: "The eco-house is an important part of the council's affordable warmth strategy that aims to alleviate poverty in Pendle over the next 10 years.

"This is an excellent example of the council working with its partners -- Pendle Partnership, local companies and the Pendle Young Builders Project -- to create a valuable facility for people to learn how to improve the energy efficiency of their terraced homes and therefore save money."