About Wiltshire & Swindon Green Open Homes
Green Open Homes is an opportunity to ask a local resident about an energy saving improvement that they’ve made, and see if it might work for you.
People who have made energy saving improvements open up their homes for free in-person or virtual visits to share their experiences. Visiting a home is a great way to find out about the reality of getting solar panels, insulation, triple glazing, or new heating options without talking to a salesman.
You can have a good look at the technology, ask the residents whether the installation was a hassle, and find out much they’re really saving on their energy bills as a result.
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Have a quick look at the videos shown below to get an insight into Green Open Homes.
About Wiltshire & Swindon Green Open Homes... by a few homeowners
Note that Wiltshire Climate Alliance and our partners are not in a position to endorse any of the information shared by homeowners on the Green Open Homes website or with visitors to their homes. We recommend people do their own thorough research before carrying out any home improvements.
Not quite ready to book a visit or need more info...read a case study from or visit our home improvements pages which give you a great overview of where to start making your home warmer and less energy greedy.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR HOMEOWNERS IN WILTSHIRE & SWINDON
HEAVILY DISCOUNTED PROFESSIONAL HOME RETROFIT SURVEY
The Green Open Homes website and resources are part of a Centre for Sustainable Energy programme to accelerate housing energy retrofit. The Centre for Sustainable Energy is offering homeowners in the Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council areas aheavily discounted HOME ENERGY SURVEY . The Survey will be delivered by the CSE's Futureproof Service. Here is a bit of information from their site - visit for full details of what happens in a retrofit survey...
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The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) is working in partnership with Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council to improve homes across the region. As part of this, you can receive a discounted home survey so you know which improvements you should make.
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A comprehensive home retrofit survey from CSE’s expert Futureproof team will help you increase the energy efficiency of your home, save money on your energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.
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What is a retrofit survey?
Home retrofit refers to the process of making improvements to an existing home to enhance its energy efficiency, comfort, and overall performance. These improvements might include anything from insulation, upgrading windows and doors, improving heating and even technologies like solar panels and electric vehicle charging. The goal of home retrofitting is to make them more comfortable and environmentally friendly, reduce energy consumption, all while potentially saving on energy costs. A retrofit survey gives you detailed information and advice about your home’s current performance and how specific improvements will improve its energy efficiency.
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Why should you get a retrofit survey?
A retrofit survey is a long-term investment. You’ll receive vital insight about home improvements that will save you money and energy for years to come. CSE’s Futureproof Team has helped many people make their home warmer and more comfortable, and we have a strong track record delivering comprehensive advice tailored to people’s individual homes and circumstances through their highly qualified and experienced team of surveyors.
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What happens during your retrofit survey?
Your retrofit survey will be completed by one CSE-qualified and experienced retrofit surveyor, looking at your home from floor to roof to identify how you can make your home warmer and less wasteful, saving you money and energy. You’ll receive a bespoke retrofit report with recommendations on the most cost-effective and impactful home retrofit measures for your unique home. They can also help you to find installers to do the initial work that you wish to take forward. Further details about the service provided can be found on the Futureproof website.
Interested in sharing your energy saving journey?
You can make a fantastic contribution to accelerating change by sharing your experience of updating your home to be more sustainable. Help others make the change.
Wiltshire Climate Alliance is working with local Wiltshire and Swindon Climate Action groups to organise Green Open Homes. If you'd be willing to open your low carbon home to others, virtually or in person, we'd love to hear from you!
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The project aims to raise awareness of green homes and technologies such as heat pumps, wall insulation, PV and home batteries. We hope to help people interested in installing these green technologies find more from home owners, without a sales pitch. Our special event in March 2024 had around 50 open homes and 200 visitors. We hope to build on this going forward, with many homes still open by appointment and and future special events that will be promoted.
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If you have taken steps to lower your home carbon emissions and might be willing to take part by talking to people or opening your home to visitors please find out more below or get in touch with us at goh@wiltshireclimatealliance.org.uk or sign up to open your home here.
What sort of green homes are we looking for?
We don't have a set criteria for what counts as a 'green home'. If you think your home could be of interest to other people looking to lower their home carbon footprint, please get in touch.
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When would I need to open my home?
Home owners can choose the time slots that suit them. We suggest 45 minute time slots with a 15 minute break in between but you can choose timings that work for you.
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Can I open my home for virtual visits via WhatsApp instead?
Yes, this can be a great easy way to show people your home and share information. You can choose to offer this type of visit only, or as an additional option to in-person visits.
How would visitors book to visit my home?
All the homes will be advertised on the national Green Open Homes website. Visitors contact you directly via email or optionally by phone to make arrangements with you. You can also opt to have times when your home is open for non-booked visitors.
What would I need to do before the event?
We would ask you to provide information about the green features of your home, and ideally provide a photograph to share on the website. You would also need to respond to messages from people wanting to book to visit your home and arrange these visits with them. Any information you are able to prepare on installation & maintenance costs, and before and after energy usage would be useful. We are also compiling a list of recommended suppliers and welcome contributions from home owners.
What would I need to do on the day?
Welcome booked visitors and respond to their questions. We would appreciate your feedback on the visits afterwards.
For more information and guidance on opening your home visit the Green Open Homes website here.
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Can I help if my home is not suitable?
Yes! We'd love to hear from people who would like to help, in promotion, behind the scenes or supporting homeowners during events to manage visitors. Please email contact@wiltshireclimatealliance.org.uk
Information for local group co-ordinators
We need your help! There are about 30 member groups within the WCA and we hope that these groups will be able to help coordinate Wiltshire's Green Opens Homes event at the local level. WCA will be there to support in any way we can. If your group is not a member yet it can join here.
Why should a local climate group bother with a Green Open Homes event?
​There are loads of reasons why groups might want to be involved but here are just a few:​
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Offer practical ways for local people to reduce carbon emissions.
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Good way to raise group’s profile, get publicity.
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Good way to show off local green homes.
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Likely to help local people understand what is involved, convince them to install green technology.
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May help group recruit more volunteers / group members.
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May help group to identify reliable, trustworthy local suppliers and installers to use of recommend.
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Will raise the profile of the group with WCA and Wiltshire Council.​
Here is a (slightly dated) video that helps groups who are thinking of getting involved understand what the whole project is about:
If your group would like more information about being involved in this project