Work is underway to transform 77 council homes in Radford, Nottingham into super green and energy-efficient properties.
The 28 bungalows and 49 houses on five streets are benefitting from improvement works that will increase energy efficiency and reduce heating and energy costs for residents. The roads benefitting from this work are Lismore Close, Cleveland Close, Auckland Close, Hopedale Close and Bramcote Walk.
This Deep Retrofit Energy Model (DREeM) project is modelled on the award winning Energiesprong scheme, which turns hard-to-heat council houses into ultra-low energy homes. Work is is well underway, with special insulated wall panels installed. This scheme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund grant.
The houses and bungalows in Radford are receiving improvements that will not only make the homes warmer and reduce energy bills for tenants, and also improve the environmental performance of the homes, helping towards Nottingham’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2028.
The Deep Retrofit Energy Model (DREeM) improvements are happening across 77 properties, these include:
- super insulated wall panels
- new windows (as required), including new internal window surrounds
- a new super insulated roof structure on the bungalows
- solar PV panels
- Gas boilers are to be replaced where required
- Roof coverings on the properties are to be renewed
The Energiesprong approach, pioneered in the Netherlands, upgrades a home with innovative energy saving and energy-generating measures. The end result is homes that are near net zero carbon.
Margaret, an 82 year old who lives on one of the roads having the work done, said: “I am really pleased, they’ve done a great job and I love the windows and i am looking forward to having a new door fitted at the back and being able to use my scooter. I think with the cost of everything going up and having to be careful, it’s a really good idea to be making these houses warmer.”
Nottingham was the first place in the UK to pilot the whole-house retrofit approach known as Energiesprong. It formed part of the winning submission which saw Nottingham City Council named the UK’s Climate Champions at The Guardian’s Public Services Awards 2020. The scheme was also one of only two UK projects to be showcased as part of the COP26 event at the end of 2021.
This project is all part of the council’s commitment to invest in improving council housing and futureproofing homes for residents. Nottingham City Homes and partners Melius Homes will be carrying out the work on behalf of the council.
The Energiesprong approach, pioneered in the Netherlands, upgrades a home with innovative energy saving and energy generating measures. The end result is homes that are near net zero carbon.
Nick Murphy, Chief Executive at Nottingham City Homes, said: “This project is transforming older council properties into warmer, more energy-efficient homes which are cheaper to run for residents.
“Hundreds of our tenants have already had this work done and they’ve told us they have seen a real difference. We are turning these homes into some of the most sustainable homes in the country, whilst helping hundreds of council tenants to save money on bills, which is so important with the cost of living crisis. As a plus, the refurbished homes look superb and make a real difference to the neighbourhood.”
Councillor Sally Longford, Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Waste Service at Nottingham City Council, commented: “Many of our residents live in fuel poverty so creating more energy-efficient homes to reduce people’s bills is a high priority for us. We are one of the main cities leading the way to tackle both fuel poverty and climate change and we are pioneering new approaches like the DREeM project to carry out this transformational work.
“This project helps to tackle old and cold council homes and tenants say this work makes a huge difference to their homes. This project is helping to reduce emissions and bills and improve the warmth and well-being of our residents — whilst also tackling carbon emissions, which goes towards our ambitious target of becoming carbon neutral by 2028.”
Emily Braham, Head of Strategy and Operations at Energiesprong UK added: “Tackling the cost-of-living crisis requires long-term thinking — investing in retrofitting homes to lift people out of fuel poverty permanently. Pioneering the Energiesprong model in the UK, Nottingham City Homes is showing that this is possible and is leading the way on the retrofit revolution. We’re excited to see more homes benefit from this approach and urge other local authorities to follow in Nottingham’s footsteps.”
