Welcome to REAP’s first membership survey. We are keen to hear from as many of our members as possible.

The attached letter and questionnaire are being delivered to REAP members over the next few days.

However, you can download the letter here and the questionnaire here, save them to your computer, complete the questionnaire (it’s a Word document), and email it back to info@REAP-leeds.org.uk by the deadline of 17 February.

Thanks to Leeds University student Clare Nutter who is organising it on our behalf. Summarised results which will appear on the website in early May.

On 28 April 2012, REAP is organising a “Green Day”.

The Green Day will be a day to encourage people in the Roundhay area to improve the insulation of their homes and install renewable technologies, thereby reducing their carbon footprints.

We envisage that on the Green Day, Roundhay residents will be able to visit other people’s homes who have already had solar PV, solar heating, biomass boilers, insulation (roof, floor, cavity wall, solid wall etc), ground source heat pumps, wood burning stoves or other environmentally friendly products installed and ask them about the cost, savings and any issues associated with the technologies.

REAP is now calling for local residents to volunteer to welcome local residents into their homes on Green Day to talk to them about the measures that they have taken.

If you have installed any of the measures listed above, and would be willing to take part, please download the information letter and short questionnaire HERE, and return the completed questionnaire to REAP by email to greenday@reap-leeds.org.uk.

Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Metrocard holders travelling in West Yorkshire can take a companion for a flat fare of just £1 on Saturdays and Sundays between 7 January and 1 April 2012. Conditions apply – more info at www.wymetro.com.

Could you be missing out on major energy savings? One in ten energy customers could reduce their bills by £250, and free or discounted insulation could also be available for the over 70s, the disabled, and low income families. Call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699.

With the UK’s major energy suppliers bumping up their prices by up to 18% this winter, the belated arrival of the cold winds represents a great opportunity to look at ways of cutting your fuel bills.

The trading standards institute is investigating complaints from people who have been sold an energy saving plug by someone pretending to be affiliated with their energy company. They claim the plug, which they sell for £99 cuts energy use from the socket by 40%. The device is a phony and indeed is a fire and electrocution hazard. For more information including how to report an incident click here.

People who were interested in the showing of the film Power of Community by REAP may also be interested in the following event which we have been asked to publicise:-

‘ Changes to the Cuban Economy ‘

Speaker : Dr Steve Ludlam , Senior Lecturer , Cuban and Latin American Politics , University of Sheffield

Venue : Leeds Civic Hall

Date : Thursday 20 October , 2011

Time : 7.30 p.m.

Entry is free

…Supporting community events in Roundhay…

Come and be inspired by the Cuba experience

Thursday 6 October 2011

19:45 Film and Discussion

St Andrew’s Church, Shaftesbury Avenue, Leeds LS8 1DS

REAP’s AGM and refreshments from 19:00

According to a recent study by Climate Change Consultancy the AEA, Yorkshire is one of the leading counties for the most solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in the UK*. Thousands of householders are now looking at solar power as a viable way to generate low carbon energy.

This recent boom is a result of the Feed-in-Tariff, a Government endorsed incentive which enables homeowners to access tax free subsidies when they invest in solar PV. Not only will homeowners generate free electricity, they also get paid for using it!

Over July and August, solar installation professionals YESrenewables will be contacting residents across Adel and Roundhay in a bid to bring solar PV to local residents.  Trained advisors will be contacting homeowners to discuss the benefits of solar installations and the likely income generated through the Feed-in-Tariff programme. In some cases this can be as much as £1,500** a year based on combined income and savings. To access the Feed-in-Tariff, panels must be fitted by a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accredited installer.

Despite common misconceptions, a solar PV system does not need to be south facing (although this will provide the best results). As long as there is a degree of direct sunlight without shading, most households which face South, East or West can benefit from a solar installation and generate electricity.

YESrenewables are a subsidiary of the award winning Yorkshire Energy Services, a Community Interest Company that advocate low carbon living. Established for community purposes, their assets and profits are dedicated to improving access to low carbon measures in local areas.

As well as contacting residents over the doorstep, representatives of YESrenewables in conjunction with the Energy Saving Trust will be present at the Roundhay Farmers Market on Sat 16^th July. There, customers will have the chance to speak to the experts and receive advice on microgeneration and other energy saving initiatives.

For more information on YESrenewables call freephone: 0800 052 7496 or visit www.yesrenewables.co.uk.

Many thanks,

Ellie Lyon

Marketing Executive

Energy Saving Trust advice centre

South and West Yorkshire