A £385,500 project to increase the energy efficiency of a number of selected Homes in Sedgemoor (HiS) properties is underway.
Part of the money has come from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. The project will see over 20 homes fitted, with external wall insulation in the first instance. This is part of a process known as “fabric first”. This will ensure heat losses through the fabric of the building are minimised before looking at other measures such as energy-efficient heating and solar panels. In-depth surveys of the housing stock are needed to ensure the money is spent in the most effective way possible.
Energy efficiency is the key to the project which it is hoped will make homes warmer and, if possible, reduce heating costs for our customers. This first stage will be completed by March 2023.
Once this initial project is completed, the results can be analysed, and HiS is preparing an application to Wave 2 of the fund by early September. There is a further pot of money to be distributed across the country with Social Housing providers match-funding any grants.
This second wave will upgrade a significant amount of the social housing stock across the country. It will support the installation of energy performance measures in social homes in England, and help deliver even more warm, energy-efficient homes, reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty. The money will help develop support green energy jobs and develop the retrofit sector allowing the residents of older properties of all kinds to benefit from the green energy revolution. Wave 2 is expected to be completed by April 2025.