ALMOST 50 homeowners from across Dorset will open up their homes to strangers as part of an all-access ‘green’ scheme.

Dorset Climate Action Network (DCAN) is launching the Dorset Greener Homes Initiative 2021 to showcase ways people can reduce their carbon footprint and manage home life in order to live greener lives.

The initiative will allow visitors to step into 48 homes of people living in Bridport, Dorchester, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, and other areas.

Sam Wilberforce, from EcoHomes in west Dorset, said: “Our hosts have a huge repository of knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise on energy-saving measures.Visitors have returned inspired and informed about what they can do in their own homes.

“Many of the visitors return next year as Greener Homes hosts to showcase what they have achieved.

“Some of the homes, visitors can pre-book, but other homes it’s a case of just turning up at the allotted times.”

The initiative comes as an increase the alarming news of extreme weather around the world.

According to DCAN, around a quarter of greenhouse gases are produced from homes - mainly through heating.

The DCAN open-home initiative is running from Saturday, September 25 to Sunday, September 26 and again the following weekend from Saturday October 2 to Sunday October 3.

The homes on display to visitors for the initiative will vary.

Some of the homes are new houses built with very high levels of insulation, heat pumps and ventilation systems.

Others have been retro-fitted with extra insulation, solar panels and better windows.

Yet others are homes where people have made lifestyle changes - growing vegetables, wildlife friendly gardens, using cycles or electric cars, travelling less, reducing waste.

Some of the solutions are ingenious, with energy-saving measures from repurposed materials at little cost, storing rainwater in IBC tanks and zoning the heating in their homes.

DCAN has received a grant from Dorset Community Energy to run this event. All those involved are volunteers.

Each of these homes have specific opening times, and some require prior booking.

Visit: www.dorset.greenopenhomes.net for details of all the homes and booking instructions where required.