Partnership will benefit more than 450 homes

Homes in Somerset’s partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) will enable the installation of energy efficiency upgrades to more than 450 homes, and procurement of funding to help reduce the cost of those upgrades.

CSE is a charity that has delivered energy advice for over 45 years, providing support for households, and facilitating hundreds of energy efficiency schemes for housing providers.

Installations for customers may include renewable technology such as solar panels and heat pumps, updating old or faulty heating systems, loft and wall insulation, and smart energy monitoring systems.

To meet government targets, all social housing must reach an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least C by 2030.

Energy inefficient housing can cause problems from high energy bills to cold and damp. Through this project we can upgrade the least-efficient homes to create comfortable and climate-friendly homes that are cheaper to keep warm and healthier to live in.

Alongside these measures, CSE will support residents once the installations are complete. We’ll provide Smart Energy Action Plans to ensure the occupants understand the upgrades to their home and how to use the new installs effectively.

This gives people the knowledge for long-term energy savings.

HiS Retrofit Coordinator James Nagle said: “Homes in Somerset is very happy to be working with the Centre for Sustainable Energy, which will be a real benefit to our tenants in ensuring better efficiency, lower bills and healthier homes. This partnership will also help us to reduce fuel poverty for customers.”