In an ongoing effort to enhance environmental efficiency, Hillingdon Council is steadily transforming social housing properties through its comprehensive decarbonisation program. The initiative, funded by the government, has seen 61 out of 158 targeted properties undergo upgrades since its launch in February 2022.
The primary focus of the social housing decarbonisation initiative is to elevate the energy efficiency of properties with lower Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings. The program allocates resources for a range of improvements aimed at aligning these properties with modern standards, achieving a Band C rating or higher.
Various enhancements are being implemented based on the specific needs of each property. These include cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, loft insulation featuring an insulated loft hatch, A+ double-glazed window replacements, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems, measures to reduce cold bridging, and replacement canopies.
Among the beneficiaries of the program is Janet Beasley, a resident of Braybourne Close, Uxbridge, who moved into her home in 2021. Janet’s residence received a comprehensive makeover through the scheme, including a new heat recovery ventilation system, double-glazed windows, a new front door with a porch canopy, and cavity wall insulation.
She said: “I’m over the moon. I’m so pleased I got that I took up the council’s offer, it’s made a great difference to my life. Before, even with the heating on I could not get warm.
“Now, while we have had this awful weather even without the heating on my house is nice and warm, it’s brilliant.”
The council secured £1,581,432 funding for the programme from the Department of Energy Security & Net Zero (formerly known as BEIS) and is now looking to apply for further funding to bring even more homes in the borough up to higher efficiency standards and help with the council’s carbon reduction aspirations.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “We’re committed to being a green and sustainable borough and have pledged for our council operations to be carbon neutral by 2030.
“Bringing our older, less energy efficient buildings into line with modern efficiency standards will play a huge role in us achieving this ambition and includes not only our social housing stock but our other buildings too, such as the Civic Centre in Uxbridge, where work is already underway to make it more carbon efficient.
“The benefits for residents of having their homes become more energy efficient are multiple, with the less exposure to damp and cold meaning reduced chance of illness in the winter months, plus the financial bonus of reduced heating costs as less heat is lost to the outside.”
Households eligible for the scheme will be contacted by the council and offered the improvement works.
