RETROFIT
“It’s all been very worthwhile, we’ve never been more comfortable, the cost of electricity has never been less for us. We reckon for the same period last year (December, January and February) we’re saving about 50%.”
Peter and Magaret, Stonewater customers
We’re committed to improving our existing homes through our retrofit programme, a plan to upgrade our homes to make them more energy-efficient and comfortable to live in.
We completed 391 upgrades in the last year! This means that 391 homes are now warmer, better ventilated and cheaper to run for our customers.
Our retrofit programme can include improvements like:
- Added insulation,
- New windows and doors,
- Ventilation systems,
- And even renewable heating like air source heat pumps (a heating system that takes heat from the outside air and uses it to heat your home and hot water).
We also have a further 267 homes currently being upgraded and have assessed 450 homes to receive improvements soon, thanks to funding we’ve secured to help continue this work.
Homes improved through our retrofit programme...
Sustainable Futures
We’re proud to have launched and completed our first customer-focused training programme, Sustainable Futures!
The sessions covered topics like energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, tackling fuel poverty and protecting nature with biodiversity. It was designed to help customers build their knowledge about issues affecting their homes and the planet.
At the end of the programme, customers were offered support with developing their CVs to reflect their recent training and were connected to our employability partner charity, Clean Slate, to explore how they could use this new learning in their future careers.
“By joining the Sustainable Futures course, I’ve developed my knowledge on a subject that means a lot to me. I've been able to expand my knowledge and can commit to being part of changing how housing impacts our planet.
My favourite thing about the programme has been the vast range of issues being explored and the way it has been made easy to understand. I was often left thinking about how I would change my own way of living to be more sustainable and how I could support others to do the same.”
Viv, Sustainable Futures graduate
Southwest Nature Recovery pilot project
We’ve tested our approach to nature recovery so we can make sure what we do well is reflected all over the country.
Nature recovery is simply helping nature to recover. It’s the process of restoring and enhancing ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity to reverse environmental decline and create resilient, wildlife-rich landscapes that benefit both nature and people.
We know that the Southwest of England faces a lot of environmental pressures, so we want to put something in place that involves customers, stakeholders, and local experts.
29 fruit trees have been planted in Highworth, and, following feedback we received from local customers, we’re also planning to install more wildlife-friendly measures in the coming months.
We’ve also formed a partnership with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, South Swindon Parish, and Swindon Borough Council to create a growing space in Swindon that will benefit our customers and the wider community.
On both projects, we’ve worked with our customers to understand what is important to them and how they can get involved.
We’re looking forward to working closely with customers in the future, rolling out more projects across the country, and are looking into creating Nature Recovery Champion roles, giving our customers more opportunities to influence how we can create green spaces where nature can thrive.
Flood partnerships
Flooding can have a serious impact on people, homes, and neighbourhoods.
We’ve worked closely with flood experts to identify homes most at risk of flooding. For those homes, we’ve partnered with Provisico Flood Forecasting Solutions, signed up to a new flood forecasting tool, and, where possible, have installed water level alarms in nearby watercourses or drains. This will help us monitor rising water levels and give us more time to prepare and take action to protect you and your belongings in a flood.
With more extreme weather projected due to climate change, flooding is expected to increase. We’ll continue to build partnerships, look into new technology, and do everything we can to protect you and your home from flooding.