Whole house energy benefits for Penketh tenants

GOLDEN Gates Housing Trust (GGHT) tenants living on The Grove, Penketh have benefitted from a “whole house” energy project from the Trust.
The project has seen five properties completely transformed, with works including the installation of new roofs, solar PV (panels), 300mm loft insulation, replacement windows, cavity wall ties, external wall insulation, new entrance doors and canopy’s, voltage optimisation units and the production of new Energy Performance Certificates. The residents were also given advice on how to change their behaviours so they can save even more on their energy bills.
In addition home owners on the estate were also offered the works, with one taking up the offer. They were able to benefit from the Trust’s expertise in energy efficiency and the reduced costs GGHT were able to offer.
Residents living in the properties are expected to save an average of £160 per year on their fuel bills.
Local resident, Mrs Williams said: “Since the work has been completed I only have the heating on half as much, I am usually a cold person. Thank You GGHT.”
Fellow resident Mrs Ridpath added: “The noise has been vastly reduced at my home, so much so I can’t here the traffic. My bills have reduced as well due to the solar panels.”
The work has seen the properties increase their SAP rating, which the Government use to assess and compare the energy and environmental performance of homes, from band E to band C.
Funding for the project was secured via Eco and Cero due to the hard to treat cavity’s, with additional funding provided via Warrington Borough Council and the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Other partners on the project included Keepmoat, Low Carbon Lymm and EDF.
The outcomes from the project were showcased at a recent ‘Energy Efficiency in Social Housing’ event held in Warrington by CLASP. The event was attended by representatives from housing organisations and local councils who were looking to learn about what could be achieved in their own areas.
GGHT Chair Roy Smith, said: “It is fantastic to see the difference these improvements have made to the lives of our tenants. As a Trust we are committed to making all of our properties energy efficient and increasing the use of renewable energy to help tackle fuel poverty.”
“We are continuing to invest in renewable technology and programmes that support our tenants to change their behaviours and reduce the amount of energy they use. We have already made carbon savings of 800 tonnes per year and our latest plans will see over 1,500 homes, approximately 18% of our properties, contain renewable technologies by the end of the year.”