Social houses get carbon-friendly makeover from Hillingdon Council

To date, 61 properties have been completed out of 158 earmarked for the first round of upgrades through the government-funded scheme, which began in February 2022.

The social housing decarbonisation programme targets properties with a lower energy efficiency (EPC) rating and funds a range of improvements to bring them in line with modern standards of Band C or above.

Depending on each property, the works can include cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, loft insulation (which includes insulated loft hatch), A+ Double-Glazed window replacement, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (ventilation system), reducing cold bridging and replacement canopies.

Among those residents already enjoying the results of the programme is Janet Beasley, who moved into her home in Braybourne Close, Uxbridge in 2021. Through the scheme Janet's home got a new heat recovery ventilation system, double glazed windows and new front door with porch canopy and cavity wall insulation.

Previously the property was drafty and cold, but now she's had the work done, and says it's made a huge difference to how warm her home is.

She said: "I'm over the moon. I'm so pleased I got that I took up the council's offer, it's made a great difference to my life. Before, even with the heating on I could not get warm.

"Now, while we have had this awful weather even without the heating on my house is nice and warm, it's brilliant."

The council secured £1,581,432 funding for the programme from the Department of Energy Security & Net Zero (formerly known as BEIS) and is now looking to apply for further funding to bring even more homes in the borough up to higher efficiency standards and help with the council's carbon reduction aspirations.

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "We're committed to being a green and sustainable borough and have pledged for our council operations to be carbon neutral by 2030.

"Bringing our older, less energy efficient buildings into line with modern efficiency standards will play a huge role in us achieving this ambition and includes not only our social housing stock but our other buildings too, such as the Civic Centre in Uxbridge, where work is already underway to make it more carbon efficient.

"The benefits for residents of having their homes become more energy efficient are multiple, with the less exposure to damp and cold meaning reduced chance of illness in the winter months, plus the financial bonus of reduced heating costs as less heat is lost to the outside."

Households eligible for the scheme will be contacted by the council and offered the improvement works.