home energy awards launched
The search is on to find Northern Ireland’s greenest homes!
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is the Home Energy Conservation
Authority for Northern Ireland, and we are proud to launch our new Home Energy
Awards. The competition has been designed to recognise and reward the very
best examples of energy efficiency within the domestic housing sector.
The Awards are open to anyone who has been involved in an energy
efficient housing project in Northern Ireland. This is the first year of what
will be an annual event which will focus on individuals, groups and
organisations, regardless of size, which have shown a commitment to the
reduction of energy use. These Awards will provide a platform to showcase
their work and receive recognition for their achievements.
Shortlisted entrants will be invited to attend an awards ceremony at the
Stormont Hotel, Belfast in February 2009 where the lucky winners will be
announced and the unique awards will be presented.
Award Categories
There are six Award categories and each Award will be sponsored by one
of the events main sponsors, Action Renewables, Energy Saving Trust, Firmus
Energy, Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, NIE Energy and
Phoenix Natural Gas.
Most Innovative Fuel Poverty Scheme
Has your organisation come up with innovative scheme to combat fuel
poverty? Or do you know someone who has made a difference in this area?
Unfortunately Northern Ireland has the highest level of fuel poverty in the
UK. We want to hear from individuals or organisations that have developed
original ways to help tackle the problem through advice programmes, funding
initiatives, information campaigns etc. at a local or province wide level.
Most Energy Efficient Refurbishment Scheme
Older homes can be fuel efficient too. This award is for the most energy
efficient approach to refurbishing existing housing, in either the social or
private sector. Applications are welcome from social housing organisations,
private landlords, home owners, Government Departments or Agencies, energy
utility companies, developers and architects, so if you have been involved in
a project to modernise older housing which has resulted in significantly
improved efficiency then we would like to hear from you.
Most Energy Efficient New Build Scheme
Does your new home use the latest renewable energy technology to keep
you warm and keep your fuel bills down? Or have you been involved in the
design, planning or building of a housing development which has put energy
efficiency first? There are two awards in this category, for social and
private housing.
• Most Energy Efficient New Build Scheme – Social Housing This award is
for the most energy efficient newbuild scheme in social housing. Applications
may be received from Housing Associations, Government Departments or Agencies,
funding bodies, Tenants Groups, architects etc.
• Most Energy Efficient New Build Scheme – Private Housing This award is
for the most energy efficient newbuild scheme in private housing. Applications
may be received from Private Developers, Government Departments /Agencies,
purchasers, architects etc.
Most Energy Efficient Initiative – Community Groups
This award is for community groups which have actively promoted energy
efficiency and sustainability within their area, and could apply to either
local homes or community buildings. Applications are welcomed from community
groups, individuals, funding bodies, Government Departments or Agencies etc.
Most Effective Marketing Initiative.
Getting the energy saving message across to people is crucial, and this
award recognises the most exciting and memorable campaigns of the past year.
The award is open to any organisation involved in marketing any aspect of
energy efficiency or sustainable energy. The application can come from the
organisation itself and/or the marketing company responsible.
Further Information
Closing date for applications is 28th November 2008 and the award
ceremony will be held in the Stormont Hotel in Belfast in February 2009. You
can download the application forms and read full terms & conditions on our
website at www.nihe.gov.uk . Good luck!
Ends
For more information contact Jonny Blease – jonathan.blease@nihe.gov.uk
