The Energy Group were delighted with the public response to the recent Renewable Heat and Energy Open Day. There were 306 visits at the 10 homes which were open to the public to demonstrate money-saving renewable energy systems. A wide variety of systems were on display free of charge to show how money can be saved by cutting back on the use of electricity and oil - and helping to protect the environment. These included solar panels, wind turbines, wood burning stoves, systems for using heat from the ground and air, and solid wall insulation. The weather over the weekend turned out to be very windy with heavy rain showers and sunny intervals. As it turned out this was probably ideal weather as it meant that the wind turbines on display were turning well and when the sun was shining, the photovoltaic panels produced lots of electricity. The changeable nature of the weather possibly also encouraged people to visit our open houses instead of going to the beach.

Organiser Charles Mossman said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the overall response - 306 visits is at least 50 % better than the target we set ourselves for the weekend. All the visitors appeared to be very keen, interested in what they were seeing, and many said how useful it had been talking to someone who has actually got such an installation and could ask about costs, effectiveness, their benefits and limitations. Several people said that they would be going ahead and installing a system themselves."

At one of two properties open at Sandford, owner Linda Lever showed visitors solar hot water and solar electricity generation as well as a wood pellet stove which replaces a traditional gas or oil central heating boiler, solid wall insulation, triple glazing and an organic garden. Linda said after the event " If we do it again I think a signing in and information sheet would be useful and I would probably ask people to come at particular times or get more help in! I enjoyed it though especially as everyone seemed to find it very useful - 'a brilliant idea!' " Mike Brett owner of the second Sandford property displaying PV electricity generation and solar hot water said " There were no time-wasters or partly interested people. They all came, listened, took notes and asked sensible questions. Many said how useful talking to someone who has actually got a real installation had been.  From my perspective the event must rate as 100% effective and worthwhile. "

At two properties at Cadeleigh visitors saw solar hot water and solar electricity generation systems, a large wind turbine and a home heating system which uses the heat stored in the ground. Bea Hearne reported " Certainly we were amazed with how many people came to Caswell House, some from relatively far away (Taunton) and genuinely very interested. We had 52 visitors.We thought that they were all 'quality' visitors - had thought about the various options and would like to have renewables. There were quite a few farmers with big electricity bills!  It was absolutely hectic but enjoyable. "

At Woolfardisworthy there were tours of a smallholding with a wind turbine and solar hot water system. Ann Pollard gave us lots of valuable feedback after the event including " All 44 visitors seemed happy on leaving and most said they had found the visit useful and/or interesting. Most were interested in the turbine mainly and about a fifth of our visitors were seriously considering getting a wind turbine or PV system or something substantial. Some were interested mainly in the smallholding (about 10 at a guess) and the renewables as part of selfsufficiency."

At Sherwood House, near Newton St Cyres, a large wood chip-burning boiler was on view, while in Crediton itself visitors were able to see a cottage with solid wall insulation and a home with a solar hot water system and a traditional log burner.

The Energy Group thanks the property owners for taking part and coping with the unexpectedly high numbers of visitors and changeable weather. Also Simon McEwan for the wonderful publicity which got our event into all the local papers and the Western Morning News bringing in visitors from Taunton, Bristol, Barnstaple and Tavistock.