LEADING Ayrshire energy efficiency firm Green Home Systems says up to 80 percent of customers it approaches are unaware of measures they can take to save energy, and the funded schemes that exist to help them.

The Irvine-based company is hosting a community event in Millport on the isle of Cumbrae at Garrison House on Thursday 13 June from 12pm-6pm to tackle the widespread lack of awareness surrounding renewable energy subsidies.

Cumbrae is one of six Scottish islands aiming to be carbon neutral by 2040.

Education is at the heart of the ‘Green Home Systems – Everything Energy’ event, explains the company’s private sales director Gordon McDill.

“The biggest problem is that people are not aware of what they need, or what exists to help them, because it really can be confusing to navigate the information around renewable energy,” says Gordon.

“Our event is all about giving people the opportunity to get that information, to have their questions answered by experts from Green Home Systems and our partners, including Duracell Energy and boiler and heat pump suppliers Vaillant.”

Largs and Millport Weekly News: The company's work at Millport Bowling Club

The event, at Millport’s Garrison House, will provide a chance to learn about everything from air source heat pumps and solar energy to battery storage and thermal insulation, plus details about grant and loan schemes available, such as the UK Government’s flagship ECO4 energy efficiency policy and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GIBS).

“We’ll also provide direct support on the day, which is an exciting first for us – in other words, we can go and survey a property or building there and then if people would like us to,” adds Gordon.

“It’s all part of providing that ‘friendly face’ to people who are maybe struggling to wade through all the information that is out there, and showing them we’re on hand to help.”

The event will also be a bit of fun, with the Duracell Bunny himself appearing on the day, and some games and giveaways.

Green Home Systems is supporting Cumbrae as part of the Carbon Neutral Islands project, a Scottish Government and Community Energy Scotland project.

“We’re delighted to be able to help Cumbrae in its goal to become net zero,” adds Gordon.

“We have a great relationship with the community team taking this forward on the island. In the past, perhaps, there has been a reluctance from other contractors to work with the islands because of cost and logistics, but as far as we are concerned, they are part of North Ayrshire and deserve to be supported equally and treated fairly.”

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Green Home Systems carried out work at Cumbrae Parish Church

He adds: “There is no mains gas on the island, so as the islanders identify areas and buildings where they want to reduce carbon emissions – and it could be anything from a community building or golf club to the local Church – we’ll look at the best way to do that.

“For example, they identified the bowling club, the hub of the community, as a starting point, so we installed an air source heat pump, insulation and solar panels.

“There is real value in the Carbon Neutral Islands project and we have the means to help Cumbrae deliver it. Partnership working is key - it’s all about relationships and trust.”

Green Home Systems was established in 2014 in Irvine, to address the chronic challenges of energy efficiency and fuel poverty in Scottish homes.

Against the backdrop of Scotland having some of the worst insulated properties in Western Europe, the company has steadily grown over the last decade and now employs more than 100 staff and works across Scotland.

The business is led by managing director Alistair Macphie and his established senior management team.

By leveraging government subsidies, GHS has already installed over 16,500 energy efficiency measures in homes across Scotland, saving half a million tonnes of CO2 and making energy bills more affordable for 7000 people.

The company is recognised as a key player in the renewable energy industry, evident in its Duracell Energy Platinum Partnership, for example, which means Green Home Systems can supply and install a new range of energy products recently launched for the UK domestic market such as storage batteries, inverters (which convert the electricity from solar panels) and EV chargers.

“The company approached us about becoming one of the first Duracell Energy Platinum Partners in Scotland,” says Gordon. “They saw the good in what we have achieved, and we are very proud of that.”

Green Home Systems has ambitious plans to deliver an additional 5000 energy efficiency measures to homes in Scotland over the next 24 months.

“Our aim is to eradicate fuel poverty, to make sure families who are less fortunate have a secure and safe home that will keep them warm through the winter,” he explains.

“By helping a further 1000 families, and inching closer to our goal of reducing CO2 emissions by one million tonnes, we’re determined in our pursuit of a greener, more sustainable future for all.”

www.greenhomesystems.co.uk