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Regular Posts: 62  | GET UP TO SPEED ON HEATING WITH WOOD! PEOPLE keen to convert their homes or businesses to wood-fired heating can get free advice at a range of events coming up in the Cairngorms National Park. Logs, woodchips or pellets are being hailed as the fuel of the future. More sources of fuel are becoming available all the time from suppliers in and around the National Park and there are exciting business opportunities for people interested in getting involved in firewood production. The free seminars are being run as part of a series of events organised by Clim-ATIC, an EU funded project to help rural communities in northern Europe adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Cairngorms National Park Authority is a partner in Clim-ATIC and is working with a range of other partners to develop use of wood fuel in the Park. More and more householders are realising wood is a sensible, cost effective and sustainable option for heating their homes. However navigating through the maze of choices on offer can be far from straightforward. What systems are available? How much upheaval will switching your fuel source to wood cause? What is the best option for you? Logs, chips or pellets? Wood fired boiler or a wood burning stove? Planning a Domestic Wood Fuel Installation at Boat of Garten Village Hall on Saturday 24 April will guide people through the issues, with a range of expert speakers dispensing advice and sharing experience. There are questions to do with building and planning regulations, what options are best for new houses, the best ways to convert older properties to wood fired- heating and crucially, costs and what grants are available. “This event aims to give you the details you need to assess the planning and work involved in getting a wood-fuelled heating system up and running,” said Eric Baird, convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s climate change committee. Participants should arrive at 09:30 for coffee and presentations will start at 10am. On Saturday 1 May Setting up a Community Woodfuel Enterprise at Laggan will explore how people can come together in their communities to get local wood fuel schemes off the ground. Joining forces to source and process local firewood has the potential to boost communities and cut fuel poverty. With oil prices erratic and on an overall upward curve, the case for making the most of fuel from forests in and around many Highland communities has never been stronger. Sales of wood burning stoves are at record levels. By working together to supply their own homes and businesses, people have the prospect to boost the local economy and create more resilient, revitalised communities. The Community Woodlands Association (CWA) is running the event on behalf of Clim-ATIC and the National Park Authority and it’s hosted by Laggan Forest Trust, which is working to set up a woodfuel enterprise itself. Event leader Jake Willis of the CWA and guest speakers will draw on this, and other examples, to illustrate how the so-called ‘social enterprises’ can be established. Practical information on applying for funding and acquiring suitable equipment for processing firewood - mainly split logs - will be central to the day. The economic, business management and technical considerations that should be taken into account, will also be covered. Mr Baird said: “There are really exciting opportunities for communities and community woodland groups to get involved in wood fuel but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. “This event will provide a solid foundation, giving people the vital basics they need to get started, opportunities to share ideas and experiences and hopefully enthusing participants to take the idea further.” Events are free but limited so early booking is recommended - reserve your place now at http://www.lowcarboncairngorms.org/woodfuel/calendar.asp Places can also be reserved by phoning 01738 877204 for the Boat of Garten event or 07960 178961 for the community woodfuel day at Laggan. | ||
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