Resident engagement drives home decarbonising benefits
Home Projects Resident engagement drives home decarbonising benefits
This project was designed around a whole-house retrofit. In all, 210 homes were brought into scope, with funding secured through Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 1.
- Total energy saving per annum: 1,420,687 KWh.
- Total carbon saving per annum: 236 tonnes.
Prior to retrofitting, all properties were rated as EPC D or E. Following the installation of a range of measures including external wall, cavity wall and new loft insulation, as well as new windows, doors, scores improved to EPC C and above.
Retrofit designs were carried out by Constructive Thinking with external wall and loft insulation identified as key measures, given their effectiveness in reducing heat loss and avoiding cold bridging.
A critical success factor during this project was the communications and engagement activity. We wanted to ensure that residents understood what was taking place on their behalf and what benefits this would bring. Our work impacts people’s daily lives, so we needed to go above and beyond to deliver everything as seamlessly as possible.”
Daniel Aspinwall
Divisional Manager
Stevenage Borough Council’s commitment to be a Net Zero emissions town by 2030 is built on eight strategic themes, one of which focuses on the residential sector – both private and social
Tackling climate change and improving sustainability is a key foundation stone for all of the council’s activities, as well as for local businesses and residents.
Leading the way on this, their research has shown around 30% of the town’s total emissions are generated within people’s homes – from cooking to domestic heating and general electricity demands. Targeting this is a specific strategy for the decarbonisation of social housing. This commits the council to achieving a minimum of EPC C across all of its 8,000 social housing stock by 2030.
Our role in helping to keep this in motion is welcomed by the council as a purposeful step towards their strategic goal. By using the opportunity to insulate properties and improve thermal performance, value from external funding has been maximised. Additionally, these properties now have the thermal foundation required to install renewable energy systems such as air and ground source heat pumps, if necessary, in the future.
As energy costs climb, this funding supports our path to a greener Stevenage, bringing us closer to a net-zero future by 2030. Lowering emissions benefits our town and makes a lasting difference for future generations, while also helping us to save money too.”
Councillor Simon Speller
Cabinet Member – Environment and Performance, Stevenage Borough Council
Share
Explore more of our commercial projects