Council completes £340,000 energy efficiency project at its short stay accommodation

The project, which involved upgrading the heating system in the council's older short stay accommodation buildings at Westward House, has made homes much warmer for tenants as well as significantly reducing energy usage.

"We're really pleased with the impact that the project has already had on reducing the buildings' carbon use," says Councillor Alan Sutton, the council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Licensing, Communications and Events. "The work that has been carried out has the potential to cut estimated energy use in these homes by around 54 per cent and cut estimated carbon dioxide emissions by the same which is a tremendous achievement."  

Improvements that have been made to the 41 flats include:

• Replacing the heating system with the latest high-heat retention storage heaters
• Swapping old bathroom radiators with low surface temperature towel rails.
• Installing LED lighting in the kitchens and bathrooms.
• Checking insulation and ventilation levels.

"The project means that residents living in the properties are now able to reduce their energy use more easily, which is extremely important given the current cost of living and climate crises," adds Alan. "I'm pleased that we were able to get the work completed well before winter, and I know that it will make a huge difference to residents."

This project builds on work completed last year, when three of the older properties were converted to make three news flats as part of another project to increase the amount of short stay accommodation in the district. As part of this project, a new building with 17 flats was constructed, enabling the council to further support residents who are facing homelessness. A number of eco features were installed such as energy efficient storage heaters plus a series of solar panels which will generate renewable electricity. This will be used to supply electricity to communal areas and in due course, to sell to the grid to help reduce the building's running costs.

Further information on the work that the council is doing to reduce its carbon use, as well energy saving tips, can be found on the council's climate change section. 

Date of Release: 13 February 2023                                                                  

Reference: 4203