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Energy Options for Home Owners |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 12 February 2009 |
Homeowners in Northern Ireland considering installing renewable energy technology will be able to make an informed decision after attending a new ‘Renewables Awareness’ course.
Anita Gribben, a Science Communication Consultant, will be running a course on March 20th-22nd, and two in May: 19th-21st and 29th-31st.
The course provides participants with an understanding of the issues surrounding the installation of renewable energy technologies in the domestic setting. It covers solar hot water, wood boilers, heat pumps, solar electricity, wind power and small-scale waterpower.
The course is currently running at a number of colleges and is also offered as an intensive weekend introduction to the technologies with visits to a number of local renewable energy installations.
“Interest in renewable energy in Northern Ireland is at an all time high,” says Anita Gribben, the independent science communication consultant who developed the course in conjunction with BPEC. “I am constantly being asked by people what the benefits would be if they took the next step and installed a renewable technology in their home. How much will it cost? How does it work? Is my home really suitable? What, if any, are the drawbacks? Are there any grants? These are just a few of the questions I hear and aim to answer on the course.”
This new course is aimed at a homeowner who may have no technical knowledge but, by the end of the course, they will have enough information to make an informed decision about the suitability of their home for a range of renewable energy technologies. There is also the option of taking an assessment at the end of the course for a BPEC qualification. As a result, the course may appeal to a wider general interest group.
Seamus Mullan, who attended the first course in Downpatrick, says “It gave me a grounding in the basics of the renewable energy options and helped me to understand what the installers were talking about. By the end of the course I was confident enough to place an order for a solar panel and a wood-pellet boiler. I will save money in the medium- to long-term, while reducing the carbon dioxide emissions that are adding to global warming.”
“The benefit from this course really comes from getting the facts from an independent source rather than a hard sell from an installer,” continues Gribben. “We are also planning a weekend residential course for those who want an intensive introduction to the technologies.” Course attendee, Dwyer Gorman adds “I would recommend this
“We are ideally placed to embrace this change as the implications of our home market make conventional energy expensive while our abundant natural resources make renewable energy a particularly attractive option,” concludes Gribben.
If you are interested in taking part in a course call 07821800567 or email
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www.greengagegroup.co.uk
Anita Gribben, Science Communication Consultant,
Greengage
136 Castlewellan Rd
Cabra, Newry.
N.Ireland
BT34 5RA
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