Communities for Zero Carbon Oxford is a collective of local environmental groups in Oxford. We work with residents and local organisations to reduce carbon emissions and and build green and thriving communities.
Energy Saving Homes
In 2022 Communities for Zero Carbon Oxford launched Energy Saving Homes, a series of initiatives to help householders save energy and money, and make their homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Energy Saving Homes and Oxford Open Doors
Starting in 2022, Energy Saving Homes across Oxford have been part of Oxford Preservation Trust‘s annual Oxford Open Doors.
Energy Saving Homes are a bit different from the traditional Oxford Open Doors locations. They are lived in by ordinary people who are cutting energy costs and addressing climate change by undertaking small and large renovation projects in their homes – such as wall and loft insulation, solar panels and battery storage, heat pumps, double and triple glazing – and cheaper, simple measures like draught-proofing. In an Energy Saving Home, you can listen to your host explain how they navigated the often-confusing landscape of eco-renovation, what went well and what was difficult, what they learned, and what further steps they are planning to take. Measures to suit a range of budgets will be on display.
For homeowners, landlords and tenants interested in adopting energy saving measures, visiting an Energy Saving Home provides an ideal opportunity not only to see what a home fit for the future is like, but also to speak directly to the people who live in it and ask your questions.
Find out more on the Energy Saving Homes website.
Energy Saving bite-size films
As part of 2022’s Great Big Green Week, Communities for Zero Carbon Oxford released Energy Saving bite-size films, a series of 2-4 minute films. Funded by the Low Carbon Hub and Oxford City Council, the films are all about how to save energy in your home – with examples from real people.
The films cover the following topics:
Film 1. Low-cost energy saving measures from Oxford residents that cost less than £10.
Film 2. Insulating your walls, loft and floor
Film 3. Air source heat pumps
Film 4. Solar panels and storage
Film 5. Double or triple glazing and ventilation
Film 6. Help with finance
Film 7. Opportunities for contractors
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Videos of talks at the Energy Saving Fair available on our YouTube channel
In June 2022 Energy Saving Homes ran an ‘Energy Saving Fair’ at Oxford’s Town Hall. The fair had everything you need to eco-renovate your home: short’n’snappy talks by experts, stalls with advice and information, contractors, useful handouts including Low Carbon Oxford North’s Housewarming guides and Low Carbon West Oxford’s guide on low-cost energy-saving actions you can take. The talks were all filmed and you can see them now on our YouTube channel:
Taking Stock by Brenda Boardman of Low Carbon Oxford North
Heat pumps by Geordie Stewart of Cosy Homes Oxfordshire
Energy-efficiency requirements for landlords by Paul Rushworth of Finders Keepers
The Challenges of Retrofit by Simon Chung of Sow Space
Housewarming by Jane Grindey of Low Carbon Oxford North
Ultra-low Energy Retrofit Design Case Study by Tony Duffin of Corrie Energy Partners
Low Cost Energy saving measures by Mim Saxl of Low Carbon West Oxford
Other activities
Local elections 2021 – questionnaire for candidates on environmental issues
To help voters compare candidates in the 2021 local elections, we drew up a list of 12 questions covering a variety of environmental issues.
Responses have been published through our Local Elections 2021 page.
Events – 2021 spring workshops
In 2021 we teamed up to host a series of Spring Workshops, designed to help us as individuals and communities take action to combat the climate crisis. Topics included tree care, waste, food and home energy/ retrofit. You can find out more and access recordings and slides of the workshops here.
