Phasing out carbon
We’re reducing emissions by raising the energy efficiency of our homes. Two-thirds of our existing homes were rated C or above in 2020-21. The average energy rating of our new build homes is B, with some achieving an A rating.
We are now designing all of the new homes we build to be fossil fuel free and are ensuring high standards of energy efficiency in any new home we complete by 2025.
The carbon emissions from our homes are one part of the picture. So we’re also tackling emissions caused by the construction of our homes.
Progress on energy efficiency in 2020-21
£10.6m
invested in retrofitting energy saving features
3,188
retrofits done, ranging from insulation to air source heat pumps
1,718
tonnes of CO2 emissions reduced as a result of retrofits to existing homes
Building sustainable homes
The soaring price of energy has highlighted the urgency of ensuring our homes are energy efficient. Our new homes have an energy rating of B as a minimum. We are now designing all of the new homes we build to be fossil fuel free and are ensuring high standards of energy efficiency in any new home we complete by 2025.
Making our new homes zero carbon will reduce emissions and slash energy bills. We’ve already scrapped fossil fuel heating systems from our designs for future homes and developments.
By 2025 we aim to have reduced carbon emissions from our new homes by 75% compared to 2013 standards. This will bring us into line with the Government’s Future Homes and Buildings Standard.
“Delivering all new homes to net zero carbon in operation will not only help the planet, but also those living in our new homes by dramatically cutting their energy bills.”
Pioneering change
As the country’s largest housing association, we’re leading by example. The Government has used us as a case study for its Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, which aims to improve the energy efficiency of social housing.
We partnered with Fenland District Council and Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council to secure £4.5m from the fund in 2021.
We matched this with a further £4.5m and have upgraded 120 homes – bringing them up from a rating of D (or lower) to a A rating. We used retrofit measures such as:
- triple glazed windows
- air source heat pumps
- solar panels
- external wall insulation
These changes will save our residents hundreds of pounds on their annual energy bills. The savings may be even greater depending on energy prices. After the success of this project, the government awarded us £5.2m in February 2022 so that we can upgrade 450 homes in Fenland, Merton, and Tonbridge and Malling.
“I was visited every day by the resident liaison officer to check in, and the team on site have been brilliant. They have explained what was happening and how long it would take, and I appreciate how much work has been done to my home.”
Mrs Challice, Clarion resident
Award-winning development
Graylingwell Park is the country’s largest carbon neutral housing development.
The 750-home development is a joint venture with Linden Homes. It has a centralised energy centre providing heating and hot water to homes via a network of insulated pipes.
Graylingwell Park won the Best Sustainable Development Gold Award at the What House? Awards in 2013.
The development is scheduled to be completed by 2023 and is managed by our subsidiary Grange Property Management.