TWENTY-THREE eco-homes in the Bridport area are opening their doors for a day to showcase the ways in which they are saving energy and reducing their carbon footprint.

These homes will join properties across Dorset in a county-wide event, organised by the Dorset Climate Action Network. More than 50 homes in total will be opening on the day.

The open homes event is going ahead on the weekend of Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26 and the following weekend on Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3.

Some of these are new houses built with very high levels of insulation, heat pumps and ventilation systems, whilst others have been retrofitted with extra insulation, solar panels and better windows. Some are homes where the inhabitants have chosen to make lifestyle changes – such as growing their own vegetables, maintaining wildlife friendly gardens, using bicycles or electric cars, travelling less or reducing waste.

Sam Wilberforce of Transition Town Bridport, which has been organising open EcoHomes in West Dorset for eight years, said: "Our hosts have a huge repository of knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise on energy saving measures. Visitors have returned inspired and informed about what they can do in their own homes.

"Many of the visitors return the following year as greener homes hosts to showcase what they have achieved during the year.”

Colin Tracy, one of the organisers of Dorset Greener Homes and Green Martinstown, said: ”Some of the solutions are very ingenious, with energy saving measures from repurposed materials at very little cost, storing rainwater in tanks and zoning the heating in their homes.

"It is wonderful to see how people are making a difference, no matter what scale, sensing the seriousness of the situation we are all in”.

The open homes event is able to go ahead courtesy of a grant from Dorset Community Energy. All those involved are volunteers.

Each of these homes have specific opening times, and some require prior booking.

For a full list and details of all the homes, and to book in advance, visit www.dorset.greenopenhomes.net