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Ecos Renew wins Eco Refurbishment Contract

Somerset business wins Eco Refurbishment Contract for Southampton Council

Langport based business Ecos Renew has won a contract in Southampton to devise innovative plans for ‘low carbon refits’ of existing low-rise social housing that will meet UK government target reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy use.

Somerset business, Ecos Renew was launched last year to meet the challenge of sustainably refurbishing existing properties in line with government carbon emissions targets. Jim Cornick, Director of Ecos Renew, commented, “Domestic housing in the UK currently accounts for 27% of carbon emissions and tackling the existing housing stock is key to reducing energy demand. Ecos Renew was set up to address the issue of sustainable refurbishment in existing homes and we are delighted to have won the contract in Southampton and to work alongside our partners in the City Council and Universities”.

The Retrofit for the Future competition was run by the government-backed Technology Strategy Board project. Over 180 organisations from across the UK, including housing associations, construction companies and local councils bid for projects to devise solutions geared towards making deep cuts in the carbon emissions produced by social housing.

Ecos Renew is involved in a further project working with Forum for the Future and other partners to retro fit a number of private properties in Bristol. The company can provide individual homeowner assessments as well as managing larger projects for local authorities. Ecos Renew is part of the Ecos Trust, the organisation that includes Ecos Homes, the developer of Great Bow Yard, Langport, the renovation of Great Bow Wharf into office training and community space and more recently at The Old Apple Store, Stawell building new houses to level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

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For further details please contact:

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01458 254349

Ecos Restructure

Ecos - the award winning sustainable building organisation, is restructuring to focus its resources on sustainable building consultancy, training events and refurbishment.

“Ecos is reviewing its new build programme like many building developers in the current economic climate,” commented Charles Couzens, Director. “Planned sustainable new build initiatives are being put on hold temporarily. It has been decided to focus resources on training, consultancy and refurbishment in the short term. We are only a small team so we are having to be flexible and adapt to market conditions and readjust the way we deliver to suit the present economic environment”.

Since its inception in 2000 the charity Ecos Trust (formerly the Somerset Trust for Sustainable Development) based at Great Bow Wharf, Langport; has educated and informed thousands of building professionals and members of the public about sustainable building practices through events, training courses and consultancy. Ten years on through its subsidiary company Ecos Homes, it has successfully built and renovated award winning, nationally recognised developments at Great Bow Yard, Langport and Stawell, Nr Bridgwater.

Ecos Homes has set sustainable building standards in the South West by building to The Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5. Ecos is recognised by councils across the country for its ground breaking sustainable developments. With the site at Stawell, Nr Bridgwater almost complete and with two of the houses already occupied, Lucy Durnan, Director of Ecos Homes says “Our building projects have provided us with a unique insight into sustainable development. We are able to impart our knowledge and skills to benefit others interested in using the latest technologies and cutting edge designs”.

A refurbishment service was recently launched by Ecos to tackle the environmental performance in existing homes. Over one quarter of carbon dioxide emissions come from domestic housing and as 99% of housing is already built it was decided to tackle this area by providing advice to householders. Charles Couzens continues, “We aim to carry on the important job of conveying the message that sustainable building and refurbishment is better for the environment, human health and social welfare. We have achieved a considerable amount over the last 10 years and now is the time for us to take the opportunity whilst the new housing sector remains less active to re-focus our efforts on the even greater challenge of helping householders tackle low carbon living in the decades to come”.

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For more information contact:

Ecos Trust

Great Bow Wharf, Bow Street, Langport, Somerset TA10 9PN

Corina Reay This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Tel: 01458 254349

Ecos Launches Home Refurbishment Service

Ecos Launches Home Refurbishment Service

For immediate release - 8th April 2009

Ecos has set up a new company called Ecos Renew to offer a home refurbishment service. Ecos Renew provides help to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of renewables. It believes in a whole house approach that enables the householder to achieve a greener, better-balanced, quality of life without moving home.

Ecos Renew was launched to address the fact that more than 25% of the UK’s climate changing emissions of CO2 comes from domestic housing. The refurbishment service provided by Ecos Renew will enable homeowners to take direct action themselves by improving the environmental performance of their own homes. As well as contributing to global benefits, homeowners will benefit immediately from more comfortable living spaces, reduced monthly bills and carbon emissions.

Ecos can also help homeowners identify and organize suitable sources of finance, including both loans and grants.

The improvements mean that if the house is ever sold or rented the Home Information Pack (HIP) will contain an improved Energy Performance Certificate (EPC.) This certificate will indicate to prospective buyers or tenants the improved efficiency of the house and cheaper running costs.

Ecos Renew recognizes that the situation of each house, and homeowner is unique and home refurbishment involves many issues from the technical to the monetary. Ecos Renew has developed a straightforward assessment system that includes priorities for action.

“We have found a huge level of interest from householders looking to improve their home. Householders also have real concerns about the costs and complexity of refurbishment. Using our sustainable building experience we have designed a simple three-step service of assessment, design and installation. Each step is self contained and the homeowner can decide to undertake the next part themselves or engage with Ecos Renew to work through the next stage", commented Jim Cornick, Ecos Renew manager.

The Ecos Renew House Assessment visit normally takes about two hours. A report will be presented to the homeowner setting out findings and recommendations. A second Design stage is offered, detailing the practical elements of design, costs and finance. The third and final stage of refurbishment uses local teams of builders and green energy installers.

Ecos Renew is working with several communities on pilot schemes and would welcome discussions on forming new partnerships dedicated to combating climate change.

Ecos has a growing reputation as a successful, groundbreaking and independent sustainable building organization. Come and visit Ecos Renew showcasing its new service at Homes for Good 2009, Westpoint, Exeter from Friday 17th to Saturday 18th April stand number 3.

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For further information:

Jim Cornick, Ecos Renew, Great Bow Wharf, Bow Street, Langport, Somerset TA10 9PN Tel: 01458 254271 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it