What is an Energy Neighbourhood?

It is a group of 5-12 households who are prepared to take on the challenge of reducing their energy consumption in a competition with other neighbourhoods from across Europe. A neighbourhood doesn’t mean you all have to be neighbours. You can be a group of individuals from a club or society. The important point is that you have regular contact with one another - an opportunity to share your energy saving experiences. Find your group and start saving energy!

 

 

How it works?

Your neighbourhood will compete against groups in Tipperary and other European countries. The aim is to save at least 9% energy between December 2011 and March 2012. The neighbourhood with the greatest savings wins! The rules are simple and designed to ensure a fair competition

 

The competition will be repeated in December 2012 for those who want to go on and save yet another 9%.

 

Step by step…

 

  • Register yourself and/or your group, with Severn Wye Energy Agency.
  • Find your old energy bills or contact your supplier – we need to know how much energy you used last year to measure the savings you make this year. If you have moved in the last year, don’t worry, you can still take part!
  • Come to the launch event in November and meet energy experts who will help you identify ways to reduce your home energy consumption. You will also meet the other neighbourhoods in your area – a chance to meet the competition!
  • 1st December 2011 – the competition begins – take your first meter readings!
  • Carry out a do-it-yourself home energy check to see where savings can be made. The Energy  neighbourhood website and fortnightly top tips will provide you with additional creative ideas.
  • Use the website to enter your weekly meter readings. This will show your progress and let you compare your neighbourhood with others in the competition.
  • 31st March 2012 – the competition ends - take your final meter reading!
  • Come to the celebration event in May and find out if your neighbourhood is the winning team.

 

 

Who will be your Energy Master?

The Energy Master is the life and soul of the Energy Neighbourhood. Each Neighbourhood will be led by its own Energy Master, someone from within the group who will help their team to achieve its energy saving goals. No previous experience is needed for this role, training will be provided and support will be available from energy experts throughout the project.

 

Why should you participate?

There will be prizes for the winning neighbourhood in each country as well as prizes awarded throughout the competition for initiative and dedication! The final winner of both rounds of the competition will also be invited to nominate 4 members for a free trip to the international awards ceremony in Brussels in 2013. 

 

You will get:

  • Energy saving top tips
  • A better understanding of your own energy consumption
  • To reduce your energy bills
  • The chance to reduce your carbon footprint
  • A prize for making an energy saving of at least 9%
  • A two-day trip to Brussels for the best energy saver in Ireland
  • The opportunity to get together with other neighbourhoods at the organised events.
  • Use your bright ideas, save energyand have fun!

 

 

What do you do next?

We would love to hear from you. Get in touch with Tipperary Energy Agency to enrol yourself and your neighbourhood. If you are interested in taking part but cannot find households to join then contact Tipperary Energy Agency who will help you set up a group with other interested householders near you.

 

Please contact Paul/ Francoise on 0527443090 or email energyneighbourhoods@tea.ie