Banchory Energy Reduction Initiative (BERI)
News: Information event January 26th see events below
BANCHORY ENERGY REDUCTION INITIATIVE (BERI)
BERI has funding from the Scottish government’s Climate Challenge Fund to continue to deliver the aims of the project until March 2012. We have a logo designed by a local school pupil and an office in the Town Hall.
The project has three general aims, energy efficiency in buildings, small scale renewable energy and helping reduce individual car use. The overall aim is the permanent and substantial reduction of carbon emissions in Banchory.
The average carbon footprint per household in the parliamentary constituency of Aberdeenshire and Kincardine is 25.02 tonnes of the greenhouse gas CO2. This is considerably higher than the UK average. (Experian 2007 report)
Who are BERI ?
BERI is a local community organisation which is run by volunteers and part time staff. It was established two years ago under the auspices of BDI, by a steering group consisting of Fran Getliff, Fiona Graham, Paul Herrington and Kath Richards. The other staff are Mary Scott who co-ordinates the project and Daniela English. Our partners include the local Energy Saving Trust, NESTRANS and Aberdeenshire Council.
BERI are running a number of projects: CLICK ON PROJECT FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy advice
- Events
- Pledge campaign
- Work with schools and businesses
- Insulation in local halls
- Transport
- Resources
There is a drop-in session at Banchory Town Hall, Mondays and Fridays 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
BERI provides free confidential advice on the following:
- · Save on your heating and electricity bills
- · Understand your energy bills more easily
- · Update your heating controls and settings
- · Choose the best heating system
- · Insulate all types of lofts, walls and floors including “Hard to Treat”
- · Deal with condensation and dampness
- · Install suitable renewable energy systems
- · How to obtain loans and grants
There is also a BERI stall at the Banchory Farmers Market on the 3rd Saturday morning of most months.
We have fully trained advisors who can visit you at home. To get in touch either:
BERI advisers can provide detailed energy advice to householders in their own homes, with advice tailored to each household’s requirements and house construction type. BERI factsheets have been written on topics not otherwise easily available and more are planned.
Starting to feel the cold?
B.E.R.I. is organising a series of Energy Information Open Days for local employees and members of the public. Staff from BERI and the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre will be on hand with information and advice on reducing home energy bills, installing micro-renewable energy and saving on transport costs.
The Next event is at
Banchory Business Centre
at Hill of Banchory
THURSDAY JANUARY 26th
- 10:30am to 2:30pm
- Free friendly local information and advice on
- energy efficiency
- microrenwables
- transport
This event is jointly run with Energy Saving Scotland advice centre North East.
Free refreshments while you find out about keeping cold out of your house and your money in your wallet!
Green footprints on the pavement leading up Banchory High Street to the Town hall on Saturday 24th September.
What can this be about ? Footprint Day was the answer. The theme was about reducing Banchory’s carbon footprint and saving on fuel costs.
This well attended event was launched by Sir Robert Smith M.P. who stressed the importance of reducing carbon emissions and mentioned the target for Banchory of saving 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide by next March. Residents were asked to sign pledges to cut their carbon. Dennis Robertson M.S.P. joined the event in the afternoon where he too made a pledge. There was a variety of information stalls and activities at this event.
There is a list of 10 pledges to choose from. Please help support this campaign by clicking on the links in the resources section later.
To help you keep track of your pledges, you can collect a free attractive fridge magnet from us (first come first served until we run out).
There will also be opportunities to make pledges at all BERI information sessions and events.CLICK HERE FOR A PLEDGE FORM
We are working with schools and local businesses to take the message on energy efficiency and micro-renewable energy home. B.E.R.I. is organising a series of Energy Information Open Days. BERI also aims to be a catalyst for energy reduction projects within the schools and businesses.
BERI will enable three local community halls to have insulation beyond the current building standards. These include the Woodend Barn Arts Centre and the Banchory Guide Hut. The insulation measures and the energy savings achieved will be publicised through an exhibition.
BERI promotes sustainable transport options by doing the following:
Raising awareness of alternatives to car use for short journeys, by publicising local bus services, cycle paths and walking routes.
Family bike events, provision of subsidised bike maintenance classes
Biking around Banchory BANCHORY CYCLES
Cycle Maintenance Classes
at BANCHORY CYCLES
1½ hours tuition on a weekday evening (5pm or 6.30pm start)
Novice/intermediate/advanced levels 2 people per class
Bring your own cycle
Special reduced rate as part of the BERI project: only £15 per person
(Limited places available)
Book your place now:
phone 01330 820011
or visit the shop on Station Road
Provision of additional bicycle stands in key locations, encouragement of private owners to provide bike stands also.
If you have suggestions about other locations for bike stands please let us know as soon as possible.
A map of 6 Cycle routes around Banchory has been printed and is available from the Library, Tourist Information, Town Hall and other outlets.
BERI is promoting improvements to town bus service, with publicity of local transport routes and options.
Progress previous discussions on bus provision: employee buses, public bus routes and stops to Aberdeen, including to Westhill/Dyce/ARI. Request and promote trial of an Express bus service to Aberdeen. Progress current work on a business case for new routes that match the destinations of our community.
Promoting innovative methods to increase car sharing in the community. Car-sharing is being promoted through the “Get-about “ web link at www.get-about.com. Follow link to Lift share.
There is also an Aberdeenshire website which gives answers to Frequently Asked Questions too, at
BERI also promotes car sharing as one of the Pledges in the Pledge campaign.
Banchory residents will be consulted on their views about a potential future community energy generation project, which would also provide financial benefits locally .
- 7. Resources – factsheets and useful websites
If you have any suggestions or queries please feel free to contact us at beri.banchory@hotmail.co.uk or tel 07769 712520 or come to a drop-in session on Mondays and Fridays 10.30 – 12.30
BERI Energy Saving Factsheets available to download
7) Lighting
Pledge campaign
Click here for a PLEDGE FORM
- BERI Pledges leaflet (to fill in and keep)
- BERI Pledges reply form (to return to us)
Additional factsheets for BERI Pledges campaign
P6 ) Solar thermal
P7 ) Car sharing
These factsheets will be updated when required. Please make sure you have the latest versions.
MICRO -RENEWABLES
Here are some basic fact files on microrenewable technolgies. These are not meant to be comprehensive but as an introduction only. The rule of thumb is that a house is as energy efficient as possible before considering microrenewables. The Energy Saving Trust have a very good website covering the purchasing of microrenewable technolgies. The microrenewables advisor would be an early contact and when looking for Government aid you may need to go through the EST and use a Microrenewable Certified Installer (MCS).
2. Solar PV
Useful Websites
We had another successful GLOW weekend where local residents very kindly made their homes available for visitors interested in their renewable energy systems. This idea has now been taken up by the Energy Saving Trust with their Green Homes Network. For information contact the web link at
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Generate-your-own-energy/Welcome-to-the-Green-Homes-Network
There are also some useful websites at:
Approved Installers for Renewable Energy
Greener Living website
Handy tools to help you cut down on carbon use. The online guide has a carbon calculator and covers the home, shopping, travel and other areas. See www.direct.gov.uk/greenerliving
Climate Change
For the carbon emissions you can’t prevent, there are only two carbon offsetting schemes that are guaranteed to work properly www.carbonretirement.com By buying these offsets you can stop big polluters from getting permits to pollute. If you want to get more involved with this issue www.sandbag.org.uk is highly recommended and they do similar carbon retirement.
Energy Saving Trust
has links to renewable energy, feed in tariffs etc
Green Electricity Tariffs
Teachers resources
http://teachers.guardian.co.uk and http://teachers.guardian.co.uk/resources.aspx?q=energysavingtrust
For other Energy Efficiency information
Technical documents by the Building Research Establishment. www.est.org.uk/bestpractice or www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings
Historic Scotland at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk go to Heritage and then the section for “ I want technical conservation advice”.
Other solid wall insulation information at www.inca-ltd.org.uk, www.insulationassociation.org.uk, www.bufca.co.uk
For a free widget for saving hot water in the shower, this can be fitted in under 5 minutes. http://www.waterwidget.co.uk/
For some of the best energy efficient appliances etc. www.est.org.uk/recommended
Heat-keeper panels: the Green & Easy website at http://www.greenandeasy.co.uk/categories/Log-Stores-and-Accessories.aspx or direct from the manufacturers at http://www.heatkeeper.co.uk/index.html
Shopping websites
Aberdeenshire Car-sharing
This also has a Frequently Asked Questions link. www.carshareaberdeenshire.com
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