Making our homes more energy efficient

Brunelcare is working to make sure our housing properties are warmer, more energy efficient and cheaper to run.

The energy performance certificate scale printed on a piece of paper.

Improvements

Much of our housing stock was built decades ago, so we are currently carrying out a programme to improve the comfort of our homes and make sure they can meet the government’s green energy targets.

We are doing this by carrying out a range of ‘retrofit’ works on properties, which are all designed to make them more energy efficient.

The retrofitting measures we are carrying out include improving, installing or replacing:

  • Windows
  • Solar panels on roofs
  • Insulation upgrades – in walls, roofs and floors
  • Low-carbon heating systems – including High Heat Retention Storage Heaters
  • Low energy lighting solutions – including LED lighting
  • Ventilation – extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms

Why is Brunelcare retrofitting some of its properties?

There are a number of different benefits to carrying out retrofit projects on our sites.

  • Making our homes more comfortable for you to live in – if a home is more energy efficient, it should be warmer during the colder winter months and remain cooler in summer.
  • Reducing your energy bills – homes with a higher energy performance (EPC) rating are less costly to run, meaning you will spend less on your energy bills.
  • The government has said that all social housing providers must ensure their homes have an energy performance (EPC) rating of at least C by 2030. We have identified which of our sites have homes which do not currently meet at EPC of C, and prioritised them to carry out retrofit projects.
  • It’s good for the planet too, as it cuts the amount of emissions released into the atmosphere, and means that Brunelcare is less reliant on unsustainable energy sources (like gas).

FAQs

  • How many of our homes will have retrofit measures?

    Our first retrofit project has been carried out at Maple Close in Stockwood, which saw improvements made to 55 properties on the site. The next projects will be carried out at Chestnut Close and Linden Close, also in Stockwood, which will see improvements to a further 99 homes. A number of other sites have been identified for improvements in future.

  • How is the retrofit work being funded?

    These projects are being funded through a combination of Brunelcare’s own investment and grant funding support from the government. Brunelcare has successfully applied to the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, as part of the West of England Combined Authority consortium. To date, we have secured XXXX investment from the Fund.

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