Enhancing energy efficiency in Stratford-Upon-Avon: A partnership project improving homes across the district

 A more comfortable home for John

John, 73, and his dog Coco have lived in Stratford-Upon-Avon for a decade. He plays an important part in his community, regularly making a 10-mile journey to the shops and back to get groceries for his neighbours.

 Before the retrofit, John's home relied on an outdated storage heating system, but it could often be draughty and cold. The improvements to John’s home included external wall insulation, loft insulation, new windows and doors – and it’s made a real difference. “The insulation is like an insulated box! If it’s cold inside it’ll remain cold; if it’s warm inside, it will remain warm,” explained John.

For John, the retrofit not only ensures a more comfortable home but also gives peace of mind about future energy costs. John has a message for anyone else thinking about getting an energy retrofit: “Don’t have any doubts. If it’s going to save money in the long term, then have it done. It’s not cold in here anymore!”

A warmer home for Hilda

Hilda, 82, a retired home care professional, has spent more than 20 years in Stratford-upon-Avon. Her home’s retrofit has transformed its energy efficiency. With improved insulation, Hilda can keep warm without having to turn the heating up as much. And the retrofit has also improved the way her house looks: “Before it was just brick, but I like it like this, it’s all white, it's nice!”

 Hilda’s not the only one to have had a home retrofit, her neighbour has had the same work done too – and they’re both positive about it. The work meant a few different contractors had to carry out the work, but Hilda didn’t find it too inconvenient saying: “I had no trouble with any workman. They worked hard; they didn’t stop. I just kept making them cups of tea, they were brilliant!”

A strong resident engagement strategy is the key to smooth communications between residents and contractors. To help you to build this, join the Resident Centred Retrofit Bootcamp on the 9 and 10 December, 9:30am-12:30pm, and gain a CPD certificate. Over two online sessions you will cover stakeholder mapping, tools and tactics for engagement and how to develop your strategy.

Innovation in energy efficiency

Leah is the Specifications Sales Engineer for this retrofit project, focussing on air source heat pumps. Her role is to help people size and specify the right kind of product for their project, on a property-by-property basis.

 Leah believes the growing focus on renewable energy and decarbonisation offers incredible opportunities for social housing retrofits, saying: “It’s fantastic to have access to so much support – it’s just about helping people use it in the right way.”

And that understanding is a priority for Leah. Supporting the installation of heat pumps on energy inefficient homes hasn’t always been smooth sailing. It’s been important to make sure everyone – contractors, manufacturers, and end users – know how to access funding, as well as understanding the technologies, and what they can use for different types of properties. “The biggest challenge to start with was the communication, but we’ve worked hard to make sure everyone understands the process, so we achieve the best result for the customer,” she explained.

To understand the low-carbon heating options available and the role of insulation, register for the RISE Masterclass, Introduction to low carbon heating on Thursday 11 December, 12pm. 

Leah is positive about the future of social housing retrofit, saying: “The funding available now is phenomenal, there are so many opportunities out there.”

Building a better future

The Stratford-Upon-Avon retrofit project showcases the positive impact that energy efficiency improvements can have on people’s lives. These sustainable solutions are all helping to create warmer homes, reduce energy costs, and combat climate change.