Brighton and Hove is exporting its eco open houses to other parts of the country.
And the news comes as a nationwide event along similar lines takes place today, with a Hove home owner taking part.
Eco Open Houses has been running in Brighton and Hove for three years.
Brighton and Hove City Council has worked with the Low Carbon Trust and Brighton Permaculture Trust to use the open houses to inspire people to reduce their energy use.
The project has been so successful that the Energy Saving Trust has asked Brighton and Hove City Council to share its experience and expertise elsewhere.
Last September, for example, the event attracted more than 900 people to visit 14 open houses in Brighton and Hove – five new-builds and nine renovations.
Visitors are either given a tour of the house by the householder or a professional who worked on the project or they drop in for an informal look around.
Easy
Now the council officers who have been involved with setting up the event in Brighton and Hove will mentor others from around Britain and provide them with training.
The council has also been involved in developing an easy to use seven-step guide to be published on the Energy Saving Trust website from April.
One of the 14 open houses – in Avondale Road in Hove – is opening its doors again today.
Owner Oliver Heath is taking part in SuperHome Spring Opening – an open house-style event, showcasing alternative superhomes.
Mr Heath renovated a detached 1960s three-bedroom house and cut his carbon use by 62 per cent – which also means cheaper electricity and gas bills.
Francesca Iliffe, sustainability officer at Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “The success of eco homes in the city is a result of the enthusiasm and support of all the partners involved, not least the homeowners who give their time to explain to others what they have achieved.”
