Posted 01.11.12
A total of 44 social housing projects have been awarded a share of £3.2 million to get renewable heating into the homes of over a thousand social housing tenants across Great Britain.
Registered providers for social housing were able to bid for up to the sterling equivalent of 200,000 Euros (about £156,000) under the third phase of the Government's Renewable Heat Premium Payment Social Landlord competition (RHPP), which was launched in August this year.
Successful bidders will be able to use this funding to install kit such as biomass boilers, solar hot water panels and heat pumps, helping make tenants' homes warmer and more energy efficient. It is anticipated that over one thousand social housing tenants will benefit under this scheme.
The scheme is managed by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) and successful projects were judged by the EST and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) on a number of criteria - including value for money, type of fuel being replaced, energy savings secured and track record on delivering similar initiatives.
The full list of the 44 Phase 3 social landlord winning projects (2012/13) can be found on the DECC website.
Posted 12.11.12
The first stage of a pioneering study has been completed on a West London estate that could provide a blueprint for taking millions of UK households out of fuel poverty, and demonstrates the huge impact the Green Deal could have if it is accompanied by consumer education to help householders cut energy use.
High Rise Hope presents evidence from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) on the social impact of greening homes by insulating residential tower blocks.
The study measures energy costs and social conditions before and during a £16 million repair, energy saving and acoustic upgrade of three tower blocks at the Edward Woods Estate in Shepherds Bush, West London.
Radical improvements affected community pride, feelings of safety, relationships with other residents, energy bills and fuel poverty.
A follow-up study in 2013 will measure the longer-term benefits and costs for residents and the landlord, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
The report reveals that residents in virtually identical flats had utility bills that range from £500 a year to £2,000, depending on layout. The research shows the need for energy saving education to help residents cut energy bills following the upgrade, taking the low income estate out of fuel poverty.
The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham has led the estate upgrade and flagship energy saving project, which dramatically cuts energy use The insulation measures were supplied by stone wool insulation provider Rockwool, who also commissioned the research.
Each block now has south-facing solar panels producing electricity to power lifts and lighting in communal areas. 12 penthouses flats for private sale will help fund the improvements. The estate has on site management, concierges at the base of each tower block, shops, a community centre, and cafe.
The report can be downloaded via this link.
Posted 12.11.12
A new report from Consumer Focus shows that investing money raised through carbon taxes in a major energy efficiency programme is one of the best ways to create jobs and boost the economy, while also tackling fuel poverty.
The research shows that significant Government energy efficiency infrastructure investment could:
The report shows that more jobs and greater economic growth could be generated through energy efficiency programmes than by an equivalent investment in other Government spending programmes, or by cuts in VAT or fuel duty.
Click here to download the report.
Government Must Build on Energy Efficiency Strategy with Radical Action
Posted 12.11.12
If the Government is to take full advantage of the economic, environmental and social benefits of improving UK energy efficiency then it needs to urgently tackle our existing housing stock which accounts for 27% of the UK's total carbon emissions, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to the Energy Efficiency Strategy, published today (12 November).
Responding to the announcement Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said:
"The Government's energy efficiency strategy is an important step forward. However, radical action is needed to transform our existing building stock to make it greener and more energy efficient.
"It's becoming ever more apparent that the Government's Green Deal retrofit initiative is not going to deliver the change that is needed, which is why we need a range of incentives to promote energy efficiency.
Small builders need certainty that the Green Deal will deliver the much needed business opportunities and that the Government is fully behind the scheme.
"Whilst the strategy usefully summarises the challenge ahead it contains very little in terms of detailed aims and objectives.
"The Government's intention to develop a series of sector guides on what benefits increasing energy efficiency can bring to consumers by next summer is welcome and the FMB looks forward to working with DECC to assist on behalf of the building industry."
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Eco Rankings for Housing Providers Announced
Posted 14.11.12
Sustainability rankings for 38 of the most environmentally forward thinking housing providers were announced at a reception at the Homes conference.
The Sustainable Homes Index For Tomorrow (SHIFT) rankings were the culmination of five months of deep analysis of providers' environmental credentials.
SHIFT was developed with the support of the WWF, the Homes and Communities Agency, the UK Green Building Council and the Mayor of London. The assessment methodology, developed with the input of registered housing providers, covers sustainability performance in existing homes, new build homes, offices, and strategic and operational plans.
This year, 24 members achieved the challenging SILVER standard and, two members achieved the GOLD standard.
Singling out significant projects undertaken by members, additional prizes were awarded for:
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Midlands Social Housing Providers Invited to Join Plugin Project
Posted 19.11.12
Plugin is an award-winning partnership project giving Midlands social housing providers access to free water saving devices to install in their properties.
As part of the project, there is training to engage the community on how to save water and energy.
The project recently scooped the Sustainable Housing Awards 2012 Community Engagement award, beating stiff competition from more than 120 entrants from all around the country. Plugin was also recently a finalist in the CIPR awards Public Sector category.
Plugin started in 2011 as a partnership between the Environment Agency, Severn Trent Water, South Staffs Water, Global Action Plan, Wolverhampton Homes, Orbit Heart of England, Optima Community Association, Black Country Housing Association, Accord Housing and Rykneld Homes.
At the end of year one, the project had succeeded in installing 3,864 water-saving measures in approximately 3,300 homes, saving 39,482 litres of water a day - equivalent to the water use of about 308 people.
Housing association maintenance teams were trained by the water companies to install and explain the products, and used this opportunity to talk to residents about other ways to save water and energy.
Over 700 residents were also directly engaged with EcoTeams activities exploring energy and water use in the home.
Through engagement, the long term aim is to achieve changes in behaviour, encourage more efficient use of resources, and make financial savings for tenants. Claire Anderson, Project Lead from the Environment Agency, said:
"We are delighted that Plugin has had such a successful first year. The team would now like to build on this by expanding the project.
"If you are a Social Housing Provider in either the Severn Trent Water or South Staffordshire Water supply areas and are interested in joining us, please do get in touch by dropping us an email to comms_east@environment-agency.gov.uk"
Click here to visit the Plugin website.
