COIN are looking for eco-homeowners to open their doors during Open House weekend

Submitted by Tracey Todhunter of the Low Carbon Communities Network

Image generously supplied by Shtig

Most readers will be familiar with the Heritage Open day scheme which runs each September, where buildings of architectural or historic interest are open to the public. This year the Climate Outreach Information Network (COIN), plan to extend the scheme to include eco renovation projects.

COIN Founder and Director of Projects, George Marshall told me:

"In 2004 COIN launched our 'Ecovation' project to support people who had  made major renovations to their houses to communicate their achievements, experiences, and frustrations and share useful eco-renovation links, services and material suppliers. As a specialist in communications COIN is convinced that by far the most effective way to reach and convince people is to provide honest advice from people like themselves. Our first step was to set up a website where people can write up their own case studies".

This year's Open House weekend takes place over the 11th to 14th September. COIN have produced a pack to support individuals or community groups who would like to take part, which you can find on their website.

Here at Sustained, we'd love to know if any of you are planning to take part - and if you were one of the 18 householders who opened your doors last year -  let us know how you found the experience.

If only I could spare time from organising the Low Carbon Communities Conference in October to catch up on the dusting I'd love to open the doors of my semi eco home... it might spur us on to finally install the solar thermal panel we've been promising ourselves.