A COMPANY that offers advice on energy efficiency is putting its ideas into practice by moving into an environmentally-friendly office.

Tees and Durham Energy Advice (TADEA) moved from its office on the Belasis business park, in Billingham, to larger premises 100m away on July 1.

TADEA, which helps implement Government policy on energy efficiency by offering advice on installation and grants, now employs 11 people:

Features of the office include:

* Solar lights in the ceiling, powered entirely by the sun and used unless gloomy conditions require more conventional lighting;

* A condensed boiler, which is 30 per cent more energy efficient than conventional ones

* A small wind turbine, no more than a metre across, mounted on the roof, which can contribute significantly to the building's energy needs.

David Lacey, general manager of TADEA, said: "We regard the office as a demonstration project. We would like councils, other organisations and businesses to come and have a look at what can be achieved.

Spreading the word

Projects in which TADEA is involved include:

* Co-ordinating a scheme backed by Scottish Power with £2m to provide 50 per cent funding for cavity wall insulation. Mr Lacey said that last year, 5,000 installations, six per cent of the national total, were carried out in TADEA's area, which covers the seven County Durham districts and the five in the Tees Valley.

* Offering advice about installation of domestic solar energy schemes and information about access to grants. It has helped train staff from the Insulation Company, of Darlington, and HB Plumbing and Heating, of Middlesbrough.

* Advising business and homeowners about energy-efficiency grants.

* Working with social housing providers to help them instal energy efficient measures.

TADEA can be contacted on 0800 512012

Published: 20/07/2004