What was the project challenge?
Ecohome is taking a collective, community-led approach, to develop and test innovative household energy data engagement strategies. The project aims to reduce energy usage and improve the performance and quality of participants’ homes. The information and tools developed will be independent from the big six energy companies.
Who were involved?
Carbon Co-op, Madlab, URBED (Urbanism Environment Design), Open Source Energy Monitors, along with academics from computing at the Open University and Lancaster
University. This team is working with ten, active, Carbon Co-op Community Champion groups around Greater Manchester. These street-based groups of friends and neighbours already interested and engaged in reducing household energy, are meeting each month to participate in a series of HackLab workshops.
What new digital technology was developed?
A new open source Home Energy Monitor kit has been imagined, built, and developed, and is now to undergo a period of user testing in households across Manchester by the
Community Champions.
What are the ongoing impacts?
Through collaborating with open source and communication specialists, community champions have gained hands on experience of open source hardware and software, to create new, innovative solutions to processing and visualising energy data.
