Bradfords Building Supplies has recently brought together experts in home energy efficiency to share their advice with tradespeople and homeowners, in response to the challenge of rising energy bills and the urgent need to decarbonise homes.
Held at Somerset County Cricket Club on 24 November, the event included an exhibition for members of the public to meet suppliers and industry leaders and seek advice on making their homes more energy efficient. As well as tips on insulation techniques and measures to improve airtightness and ventilation, there were details on where to seek funding for retrofit projects, including grants and support specifically available for those in Somerset and the surrounding region.
Giles Bradford, Head of Sustainability at Bradfords Building Supplies (pictured), said:“We know the communities we serve are experiencing the impact of high energy bills and the need for efficiently warm homes is greater than ever. And not only are warm homes healthier places to live, there’s also a pressing need to create more environmentally sustainable housing if we’re going to stand a chance of meeting our net zero targets and address climate change in a meaningful way.
“As a builders’ merchant, we also know that our suppliers are making great progress, adapting their products and innovating to meet the retrofit challenge. We want to use our unique position to bring together homeowners, suppliers, and all of our customers across the trades, to put these challenges and solutions to the forefront of minds, whatever the building project.”
The exhibition was followed by an ‘Energy Efficiency and Mitigating Increased Energy Prices’ session, where local authority representatives plus key stakeholders from across Bradfords’ customer base gathered to hear from speakers including Phil Mason, Head of Regulatory Engagement at TrustMark, who shared the latest updates on the Government’s retrofit strategy. James Mullen, Retrofit Coordinator at the Centre for Sustainable Energy discussed the centre’s Futureproof scheme which supports homeowners and builders across the South West to carry out refurbishments with confidence. Architect and developer, Ben James, shared advice on designing sustainability into developments and the business benefits of taking an environmentally responsible approach.
The event was the third in Bradfords’ ‘Building Sustainable Communities’ series, which was launched to inspire, inform and engage the South West on achieving long term environmental and social sustainability for the built environment. Rising energy bills and the cost of living crisis prompted Bradfords to expand the event to include support for the wider community, from home renovators and DIY-ers to and self-builders and constructors.
Created in partnership with TrustMark, the event was sponsored by Xtratherm, a leading UK insulation provider who supply a range of bio-enhanced insulation for walls, floors and roofs. As well as making changes to packaging including introducing bio-degradable materials, Xtratherm’s ECO360 range sees natural, bio-based polyols added during the manufacturing process, reducing the use of oils and decreasing overall embodied carbon.
For more information about the event visit www.bradfords.co.uk/buildingsustainablecommunities
