WIREDGOV

A unique project in West Wales which is transforming a 19th century school house into a showcase for 21st century green technologies with support from Welsh Government will be in the spotlight this week when it features on Channel 4’s popular Restoration Man programme.

The programme provides an update on the progress Jayne and Ian Hall-Edwards, directors of Plumbers, Electricians, Carpenters Ltd (PECs), have made on Hen Ysgol in Pencader, since it was first featured on Restoration Man.

The couple are converting and renovating the historic building to create a sustainable green technology eco centre with two elements – a showcase and sales centre for green technologies and a new training centre to equip companies and individuals with the skills and knowledge to install the various technologies.

Hen Ysgol is now the base for their business that now has a firm focus on eco friendly systems as well as their home.

The commercial side of the project, which will deliver community, educational and wider economic benefits for the region, is being supported by the Welsh Government.

Economy Minister Edwina Hart visited the project last year to see how it was benefiting from £67,500 support from the Wales Economic Growth Fund. In fact the first airing on Restoration Man showed the couple celebrating the grant offer which was a vital piece of the jigsaw to take the project forward.

The Minister said:

“A tremendous amount of work has gone into this highly innovative project that aims to create long term sustainable benefits for the community as well as economic benefits for the wider region.

“It has been a labour of love for Jayne and Ian who are working to create a unique centre in the heart of rural Wales and bring new opportunities to the area. I am pleased the Welsh Government is supporting the business and wish them every success in the future.”

The extensive variety of technologies on show at the centre will include underfloor heating, rain water harvesting, PV roof panels, solar thermal panels, air to air pumps, air to water pumps, low energy lighting, low energy pumps, permeable paving, a green roof, a Bio-digestive tank, multi-fuel wood burning fires and stoves, biomass, to include pellet and log gasification units.

All these technologies are linked together with the intelligent buffer tank to provide hot water and central heating on demand at a fraction of the cost of the mainstream fuels.

The large showroom and salesroom will enable home owners and businesses to see the technologies in action before buying, while working ‘child friendly’ models will be displayed throughout to help school children understand and learn in a safe environment.