People living in more than 100 homes owned by Bath-based housing association Curo are to benefit from a £2 million programme to improve energy efficiency.
The planned improvement works are designed to help residents save money on energy bills and reduce the carbon emissions of their properties.
The investment across 113 homes includes £1.03m awarded through the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), with Curo funding £1.04m directly.
Curo is one of several housing associations to secure funding through this scheme as part of a joint bid made with the South West Net Zero Hub.
The Hub works across the wider South West region to deliver net zero energy projects and is hosted by the West of England Combined Authority.
The improvements will target some of Curo’s least energy-efficient properties and include measures that will make a lasting difference to these homes’ energy performance.
These will be mostly “fabric first” measures such as roof and wall insulation as well as some solar electricity installations, solar hot water and improved heating and controls that will lower energy bills and keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Curo Director for Asset Management & Procurement, Matt Steele, said: “We’re thrilled to have been awarded this funding which will help us to transform the energy efficiency of these homes.
“In our recent Greener Homes survey Curo residents told us they want us to prioritise measures like these that will lessen the environmental impact of our properties and make them easier to keep warm and dry.
“This is the start of an energy investment programme that will continue for years after we’ve upgraded these 113 homes and will result in almost all our customers’ homes having an energy performance rating of A, B or C by 2028/29.”
The upgrades are part of a wider commitment to invest £142 million across Curo customers’ homes over the next 10 years, prioritising the thermal performance of each home and tackling common causes of damp and condensation.
21 per cent of total carbon emissions in the UK come from homes, according to the Energy Saving Trust, and these upgrades will help reduce emissions from households in the South West, helping to meet the UK’s net zero ambitions.
Curo has secured the money as part of the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero’s £778m Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund for energy efficiency upgrades in social housing across the country.
Jon Rattenbury, Programme Manager for the South West Net Zero Hub, said: “This is fantastic news for households in the South West and it takes us a step closer to achieving the region’s net zero targets.
“We look forward to working with our partners to deliver sustainable home upgrades that will make homes warmer and address fuel poverty.”
