Housing association continues its green journey
Magenta Living is investing £3.6 million on making its homes more energy efficient as part of their journey to net zero.
Last year, the Wirral-based housing association was successful in securing £1.6 million from Wave 1 of the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF). In March this year, they were awarded a further £1.8 million in Wave 2 of the programme and they are investing a further £1.8 million of their own funding.
Having successfully retrofitted 98 homes in Wave 1, Magenta is now pushing ahead to install energy efficiency measures, including external wall insulation and loft insulation to a further 161 homes across Wirral, following a fabric-first approach. *
Sustainable Building Services UK (SBS), who managed and delivered the retrofit of the 98 homes in Wave 1 to PAS 2035 / 2030, is continuing the work with Magenta Living during this first phase of Wave 2. Forty homes on Deverill Road in Rock Ferry on Wirral are currently being transformed into more energy efficient properties where customers will benefit from warmer homes, lower energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.
The 161 homes have been selected for a number of reasons. Some have been identified as being in an area of fuel poverty and low household income and some have been identified as receiving a high level of pension credits and where properties have an EPC (energy performance certificate) rating of D and below.
Work on the first phase of Wave 2 installation of EWI has just started. Phase 2 will be going out to tender in November.
Magenta Living’s Executive Director of Assets and Development, Ian Thomson, said:
“We were delighted to be awarded a further £1.8 million for this project and we have match funded this to ensure we continue to retrofit as many of our properties as possible.
“We want to do the right thing by our customers and this is one of the ways we are addressing energy efficiency in their homes. We’re also looking at alternative heating systems, like heat pumps.
“Our Climate Change strategy is helping us work towards the Government target of being net zero carbon by 2050. So, we’re not only retrofitting our current properties, but all our new build properties have an EPC rating B or above – meaning they are very energy efficient and have a low environmental impact.
“The homes we are retrofitting and the new homes we’re building will make our customers’ homes warmer and healthier as well as saving them money on their energy bills and supporting us on our journey to net zero.”
SBS Regional Director, Ian Jones, said:
“Magenta Living is making excellent use of energy efficiency funding it has available and we’re extremely pleased to be delivering its latest decarbonisation scheme – building on the strong collaborative relationship that we share.
“Decarbonisation does not only benefit properties, it helps people live happier, healthier lives. The work that Magenta is undertaking acknowledges and demonstrates a commitment to the need for improved homes, and we can’t wait to handover to many more happy residents once complete.”
Paul Holvey, a Magenta Living customer, said:
“We have noticed a real difference downstairs, even though the work is only part-finished – we're hoping to feel more benefit and save on heating bills once the work is completed. I’ve got no complaints, the workers have been great and the outside will look so much better when it’s finished.”
*The fabric first approach allows for simple changes considering the design, construction and building fabric of a home to produce an efficient and low energy building.