home energy upgrades making a “big difference” to tenants’ lives

A grandmother of four is happy that work on her home has made it easier to keep warm and reduced its impact on the planet.   

Jane Parker lives in the 3,000th believe housing property to undergo home energy improvement works, part-funded by the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF). 

The bungalow, in Bearpark, near Durham, was moved from gas heating and hot water to an air source heat pump and had cavity wall insulation, improved loft insulation, ventilation, and energy efficient lighting installed. 

Jane, who used to volunteer with the now defunct Durham Greenpeace group, said: “When I was told I could have work done on my home I was over the moon and when I found out I’d get an air source heat pump I said straightaway, “get rid of the gas”. 

“It used to be a challenge to keep warm, unless I had the heating blasting away, but now it’s much better. It’s definitely made a big difference to me.” 

Working with partners, believe housing secured £10.26m from two waves of the government’s SHDF towards £18.8m of home energy efficiency upgrades which will have taken 3,390 homes to EPC C or above by March 2025. 

As believe housing and delivery partner RE:GEN Group reached the 3,000-home milestone, they have looked at how the ongoing programme of works is good for residents, the economy, and the planet. 

So far, more than 10,000 individual measures have been installed including improved insulation to 2,795 lofts, 810 homes have had cavity wall insulation, and 276 homes had solar panels fitted. Other measures include external wall insulation, ventilation to improve air quality, low energy lighting, and air source heat pumps. 

John Marshall, chair of the board at believe housing, said: “We’re so proud to have reached this milestone; these works are making customers’ homes warmer and more comfortable, improving residents’ health and wellbeing and reducing fuel poverty.  

“I’ve been to customers’ homes and heard first-hand how much better they feel and how much easier their homes are to keep warm, following works.  

“Economically, decarbonising our homes is driving growth in the northeast of England, creating jobs, boosting the green economy, and developing the skills needed for a sustainable future.  

“And making our homes more energy efficient is part of believe housing’s commitment to reducing our impact on the planet and helping the UK meet its net zero targets by 2050.” 

A report from believe housing and RE:GEN Group on ‘home energy improvements: the impacts’ can be found online: home energy improvements | believe housing 

It shows how this work is: 

• Making homes warmer and healthier for residents and tackling fuel poverty. 

The link between housing conditions and health outcomes is long established, so when believe housing makes its homes warmer and more comfortable through decarbonisation works it helps give customers the foundations for a better life. 

Jenny Danson, Chief Executive of Healthy Homes Hub, a social purpose company working with the social housing sector to create healthier living environments, says: “By making our homes warmer and more comfortable through decarbonisation, we lay the groundwork for healthier lives.  

“Warmer homes help combat issues like damp and mould, significantly reducing the risk of respiratory diseases and mental health challenges. This not only alleviates pressure on the NHS but also empowers our residents to lead more active and fulfilling lives.  

“The social value generated from upgrading our homes is immense, translating into better health outcomes and increased economic participation.” 

This is echoed in the feedback from customers. 

John Simpson, a tenant in his 70s with arthritis, said: “Since the work was done in my house, which included cavity wall insulation, it feels a lot warmer even when it is cold outside.  

“The house feels better for it and, in fact, so do I. I don’t feel like I’m getting as much severe pain and I’m not as worried about the cold going into the winter now.” 

• Boosting communities and supporting jobs, skills, and the growth of the green economy. 

In response to the decarbonisation agenda, believe housing is upskilling its own team and delivery partner RE:GEN Group is increasing its capacity and investing heavily in the skills pipeline. 

The investment in homes is also giving contractors the security and confidence they need to grow, invest in jobs and skills, and to innovate. 

In response to the decarbonisation agenda, believe housing is upskilling its own team and delivery partner RE:GEN Group is increasing its capacity and investing heavily in the skills pipeline.
The investment in homes is also giving contractors the security and confidence they need to grow, invest in jobs and skills, and to innovate.
Lee Francis, Chief Executive of RE:GEN Group, said: “The shortage of skilled workers continues to impact the sector’s ability to meet demand as the need for green building projects increases.
“It’s estimated that 1,500 new skilled workers are needed annually to sustain development projects. This doesn’t just affect RE:GEN Group, but the wider supply chain, which relies heavily on SMEs to deliver projects on the ground.
“To tackle this, we have invested in our non-profit RE:GEN Academy, an employer-led skills provider which offers training and employment opportunities for those looking to enter the sector.  

“The Academy is helping to bridge the gap between the current skills shortage and the future workforce needed to meet the region’s decarbonisation goals.”
In 2023-24, the Academy supported 121 learners through its Skills Bootcamps, of which 15 were residents of social housing, and 15 went on to secure jobs with RE:GEN Group.
RE:GEN Group has also established a new renewables business, RE:GEN Green, offering a range of domestic and commercial renewable energy solutions including PV installations and electrical upgrades. In 12 months, it has grown to a team of more than 20 specialists and is on track to reach a turnover of £4.2m by the end of 2024-25, with bosses predicting greater growth in the future. 

• Reducing carbon emissions from housing to help the UK meet our climate goals. 

It is estimated that home energy improvements to 3,000 homes is saving 1,212 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year, which is equivalent to taking 263 cars off the road or what 50,495 trees could absorb. 

Ruth Dent, Director of Assets and Compliance at believe housing, said: “As one of the largest housing associations in the northeast of England, believe housing recognises the impact our homes and business activities can have on the environment. 

“We are committed to working with customers, colleagues and the supply chain to reduce our carbon footprint and ensure the green agenda is part of our ‘business as usual’.  

“By securing government funding we are achieving more than we could alone. 

“Through the SHDF programme we have taken a fabric first approach, which has allowed us to reach 3,000 customers in little over two years. 

“The cost-effective measures taken are not only reducing emissions to help the UK progress towards its target for net zero by 2050. 

“But they are also making homes warmer, more comfortable, and more affordable to run for our customers.”