HOUSING on the grid and, as a result, bring down their bills. But even where renewables are cost prohibitive or impractical, conventional technologies can be used to reduce both consumption and bills. For example, for the properties Edgeley Construction will be working on, storage heaters are being installed that will use cheap electricity during the night to keep the homes warm all day. Meanwhile, new ventilation systems will improve air quality and reduce the risk of condensation, enhancing the living environment and extending the service life of the property and interior finishes.
A considerate approach to carrying out EPC upgrades Edgeley Construction is one of many construction and maintenance companies working with the social housing sector to deliver EPC upgrades. A project to upgrade 1700 homes over the next two years will draw on the expertise of Edgeley maintenance teams trained in the specialist skills required to carry out the scope of work, and experienced in delivering refurbishment projects in occupied residential properties. This is a critical factor in the rollout of the EPC upgrades programme, because the benefits to tenants need to be balanced with the disruption of having substantial work carried out in their home while they are still living there. There is an urgency to the upgrades, not only because energy prices are set to rise again just as we all start to reach for the thermostat in the autumn, but also because the summer months provide the ideal drier, warmer weather to carry out the work. An in-house team also enables contractors involved in EPC upgrade projects to
schedule work flexibly around the needs of the social housing provider and individual tenants. Communicating clearly with tenants and managing their expectations is an important aspect of the brief and will help tenants to feel more in control of the upgrade process. This includes working collaboratively with the social housing provider to communicate to the tenants the benefits of the improvements to their property and ask for their patience while the work is carried out. For Edgeley Construction, this involves engaging with tenants to keep them informed about the programme and how it will affect them while keeping disruption to a minimum. A meticulous approach to health and safety is also an essential requirement for delivering EPC upgrade projects to a high standard. Contractors will need to be accountable for the safety training and best practice of their teams, along with the skills deployed. For this reason, contractors with an in-house team of skilled tradespeople are ideally placed to carry out the work, because they can be accountable for both the quality of workmanship and the required level of health and safety training.
Sustainable future Whether a social housing landlord has secured part of the Governmentâs ÂŁ179m pot or not, upgrading the energy performance of social housing properties as part of routine maintenance activities will play a vital role in tackling fuel poverty. It is an opportunity to improve both living environments and our natural environment for a more sustainable future. îł
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