West Dorset green homes are opening their doors this weekend

Dorset’s Greener Homes are opening their doors for the fourth year across September. They first opened last weekend but will open up again on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22.

This event is organised by Dorset Climate Action Network (DorsetCAN) as it looks to offer residents an opportunity to learn more about greener energy solutions. Learn more about their work at www.dorsetcan.org

Around 40 properties in the county are taking part with many in the Bridport and Lyme Regis area.

Many feature solar panels, battery storage, air and ground source heat pumps and mechanical ventilation. According to organisers, others show low cost solutions, using natural materials which can be recycled at the end of the life of the building, and wildlife-friendly gardens.

18 South Lawns in Bridport (Image: Google Maps) This event offers to help those interested in making sustainable and greener energy changes to their homes, with impartial advice from the homeowners giving visitors detailed knowledge of the installation processes, costs and healthy payback times on investment.

Watercleaves in Bridport (Image: Google Maps) Here are the open homes in the west Dorset area:

• Watercleaves Bridport is a former nursery school which provides low cost solutions for double glazing and rainwater harvesting.
• 12 Hillingdon in Bridport is a smart home, with solar panels, an intelligent electricity tariff.
• 3 Hardy Road in Bridport is a 1950s bungalow with insulation added as improvements have been made. PV panels with batteries and effective use of the electricity tariff are likely to reduce electricity charges to nearly nothing over the year.
• Sailcloth House in Bridport is an air-tight building made of structurally insulated panels, filled with wood fibre insulation, an air source heat pump and triple glazed windows.
• 18 South Lawns in Bridport is a 1970s house with an extensive interior and exterior insulation with rainwater harvesting and battery powered items.
• Glenhaven in Bothenhampton is a 1950s chalet which was fully refurbished in 2020 with the removal of a gas boiler. It features a log burner and a back-up power system in case of a power cut.
• Brook Cottage in Lyme Regis is a 1930's house with wood frame extensions, photovoltaic panels and battery, electric car and charger and rainwater collection system.
• Amity in Lyme Regis is a well-insulated modern house with an AS heat pump, solar, 100 per cent renewable electrical supplier and a car charging point.
• Conifers in Lyme Regis has been described as a ‘tired’ 1979 bungalow which has now been transformed into a light filled family home.
• Shire End West in Lyme Regis is a Victorian Listed building extensively eco- retrofitted with sustainable materials.
• Springfield House in Waytown is a building from 1989 which has been renovated with cavity wall insulation, double glazing and an air source heat pump with underfloor heating.
• Marles Farm in Beaminster is a 200 year-old farmhouse which has been brought up to modern standards with insulation and renovations, including a 25kw wood pellet boiler.

Most homes are open for one or two of these days and may require prior booking – details and opening times can be found on www.dorsetgreenerhomes.org . The website also features mini-films of some of the homes.