“It’s like a new home” – praise for HiS retrofit programme

Enhancing the energy performance of our customers’ properties by 2030 is a goal Homes in Somerset is working hard towards.

Using retrofit, all HiS properties need to reach a minimum Energy Performance Certificate rating of C, and one of our customers has shared his experience to show that it can save money and have long-term benefits.

Ray Kear, of Rooksbridge, underwent two weeks of retrofit works, including solar panels, cavity wall insulation, Dimplex quantum heaters, hot water cylinder, and RIR/room in roof – this is where insulation and plaster board are adding to the ceiling to insulate the property.

Although the works were very invasive, Mr Kear said he had nothing but praise for those who carried out the job. “The people who carried out the works have been brilliant and Homes in Somerset have been superb at every step.”

And he’s even seeing the cost benefit already from solar panels. Thanks to a hot summer, the benefits of his storage heaters will come later.

Mr Kear was originally on oil heating, but says he’s much happier with the new system. “In the long-run, electric heating is much cleaner than oil. My oil heating had been quite troublesome, but I am now definitely getting a monetary benefit.

“It’s like a new home from the one I moved into in 2020; from drafts from leaky windows and doors to having everything now brand new.”

Retrofit is aimed at improving energy efficiency, but also improving the quality of life for our customers by reducing their bills and ensuring their homes remain warmer for longer through improved insulation.

Retrofit Project Coordinator, James Nagle, and Focus and Enabling Assistant Jade Cox have been reviewing properties that have undergone retrofit works. Together, they are identifying ways to enhance the customer experience, ensuring that the targeted works do not adversely affect them.

James said: “We are delighted Mr Kear is satisfied with the works, and that he’s already seeing some monetary benefits. We hope that his experience will reassure other customers about the retrofitting process and encourage them to take up, what are not just money-saving works, but also works that benefit the environment.”