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Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Over 700 of Ashford Borough Council’s Houses

Ashford Borough Council. Energy Efficient homes.

After a successful application for Government funding of £5.1m, over 700 of Ashford Borough Council’s most energy-inefficient homes will be transformed. The funding came from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2, this will be supported by a £6.2m contribution from the council. The funding is coming from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). The council’s ‘fabric first’ approach to deliver big improvements to the shell of each building aims to provide the most cost-effective and least intrusive methods of raising the thermal efficiency of each one.

With the £11.3m investment, around 727 properties in Ashford’s social housing stock are set to be improved to an Energy Performance Certificate rating of ‘C’. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) measures the energy efficiency of a property at the time it is issued. EPC ratings are given to properties and are represented on a scale from A, which is the most efficient, to an E which is the least efficient

The funding will be used to make improvements to the building’s shell, such as cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, new windows and doors, underfloor insulation where applicable and solar panels. The improvements installed in each home will depend on the survey carried out. Furthermore, nearly 100 Ground Source Heat Pumps will be installed in rural properties across the borough. 

The benefits of receiving these energy efficiency upgrades

The benefits of these energy efficient upgrades include reducing energy demand, which in turn help lower tenants’ energy bills, reduce carbon footprints, making homes more environmentally friendly, as well as providing a warmer and more comfortable home. The upgrades will also help the council achieve its goal of becoming a carbon-neutral borough by 2030. E.ON, a British energy company and the largest supplier of energy and renewable electricity in the UK, will be responsible for surveying properties, recommending the appropriate improvements for each home, and carrying out installation.

The Council’s view on the energy efficient upgrades

Head of Housing at Ashford Borough Council, Sharon Williams said:

“I am delighted that we have been successful in applying for this funding. These retrofit measures, including solar panels and insulation, will help cut carbon emissions and give residents more money in their pockets from cheaper energy bills.

“The Government has calculated that this investment in retrofitting homes will help tenants save around £170 per year on their energy bills. With homes accounting for 15% of the UK’s carbon emissions, this work will also help towards eliminating the country’s contribution to climate change by 2050.”

 Ms Williams then went on to say:

“The council, together with our partners E. ON, will now be working closely with the tenants of our most energy-inefficient homes to ensure they fully understand how the scheme will work, what measures will be installed in their homes and most importantly recognise the tremendous benefits they will enjoy as a result of these exciting retrofit improvements.”

Chris Lovatt, Chief Operating Officer of UK Solutions at E.ON, also praised the project, stating:

“Energy efficiency is simply the best investment we can make as a country – it cuts household bills and makes homes warmer and healthier, it reduces our impact on the planet and it also helps to grow the economy by spurring the creation of new green collar jobs.

“This major project with Ashford Borough Council is one of a number of schemes up and down the country where we are helping people to take action for climate, improving the energy efficiency of homes for thousands of families, and providing long term support that cuts energy bills today and for years to come.”

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