Greening yourHousing Stock
With support from
Learn with us Improve with us Influence with us | wwwcihorg
2 ContentsGreening your housing stock Page 3New build Page 4Tackling existing housing stock Page 13Financing retrofit Page 21Microgeneration Page 32 Fuel poverty Page 37Engaging with tenants Page 41Developing a strategy for your stock Page 47Glossary Page 58Finding out more Page 59
Customer feedbackWe welcome feedback on how we can improve our publications both in terms of format andcontent If you would like to contribute to our commitment to improving our services please email policyandpracticecihorg
Authors David Pipe Policy and Practice Officer and John Perry Policy Adviser (CIH)Editor Debbie Larner Head of Practice (CIH)Acknowledgements We are grateful to Swan Housing Group wwwswanorguk for partnering
CIH in the production and dissemination of this practice briefPermission to reproduce diagrams was received from BRE (p6) Zero CarbonHub (p8) Construction Products Association (pp14 and 51) uSwitch (p38)Richard Baines Black Country HA made helpful comments on the text
Productionprint Jeremy SpencerHobbs the printers TottonImages sourced by Marion Conlon CIH (from istockphotocom and shutterstockcom)
copy Copyright Chartered Institute of Housing 2012Registered charity No 244067R ISBN 978-1-905018-92-5
This publication is printed on Nine Lives 55 130gsm silk which is made with 55 recycledfibre from both pre-consumer and post-consumer sources together with 45 virgin ECF
fibre from sustainable forests
Whilst all reasonable care and attention has been taken in compiling this publication the authors and thepublishers regret that they cannot assume responsibility for any error or omission that it contains The practice brief refers to a number of different commercial and non-profit services and products Howevernone of the services or products are endorsed by CIH unless they are directly provided by CIH or one of itsassociated companies CIH assumes no responsibility for services or products provided by othersAll rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system or transmitted inany form or by any means electronic mechanical photocopying recording or otherwise without the priorpermission of the publishers
Most housing organisations want to improvetheir environmental performance Many havelooked at going lsquogreenrsquo The practice briefGreening your Organisation sets out why this isimportant what the benefits are and how todo it Read it for the wider background to thisnew practice brief on greening your stockHere we focus more directly on reducingcarbon emissions from your homes
As a housing organisation you can achieveyour biggest impact by raising environmentalstandards in the stock itself This is becausecarbon emissions from homes contribute morethan a quarter of the UKrsquos total Reducingthem will be vital in achieving the UK target ofreducing total emissions by 80 by 2050Housing is particularly important becauseimprovements can be made more quickly andeconomically in this sector than in others suchas transport And energy efficiency is goodnews for occupiers because it should lead tolower fuel bills and helps tackle fuel poverty
This practice brief is not a technical guideItrsquos a broad introduction for those wanting toknow how to go about greening the housesthey own or plan to provide
The aims are to
bull set out what is required of you as a landlordand developer
bull say why it is important
bull outline the available techniques
bull consider the key issues you will face whengetting started
bull discuss ways in which to engage withtenants
bull tell you how the work can be resourced
bull show how to develop a strategy that fitswith your business plan
bull provide you with links to detailedinformation sources and guidance
The methods for greening housing stock applyacross the UK and much of northern EuropeThe policies and financial arrangements differin the four UK administrations and thepractice brief covers these differences
It has separate sections covering
bull new build ndash what are the relevant policiesrequirements and standards
bull existing stock ndash what differentrequirements apply
bull finance ndash how do you pay for theinvestment
bull microgeneration techniques ndash shouldyou generate renewable energy onsite
bull fuel poverty ndash how does the energyefficiency of your stock affect your tenantsrsquofinances
bull engaging with tenants ndash how do youbuild commitment to saving energy
bull developing a strategy ndash how do youbring all this together
This practice brief is mainly aboutmitigation ndash the term used for work whichhelps to reduce climate change But it alsocovers some key aspects of adaptation ndashmaking sure your stock is in a better state tocope with climate change as it occurs
Greening your housing stock
Whatrsquos the issue
According to the Zero Carbon Hub a non-profit organisation that supports the delivery ofzero carbon homes a typical household livingin an average-size house built to 2006 BuildingRegulations generates just over three tonnesof CO2 per year In order to meet thegovernmentrsquos overall ambition to reduce totalcarbon emissions by 80 by 2050 new homeswill need to be built to much higher standardsof energy efficiency
In addition to directly contributing to lowerCO2 emissions new homes also have a widerenvironmental impact The types of materialsused the way waste and pollution areminimised and the way natural resources likerainwater are utilised all contribute to theoverall sustainability of a development
There are a number of ways of assessing thesustainability of new homes and differentmethods and targets exist in different parts ofthe UK
Building Regulations
Building Regulations (or Building Standards inScotland) set out the absolute minimumrequirements for most new buildings Theyspecify a level of energy efficiency that must beachieved in new dwellings The level isdetermined by calculating the total carbonemission rate for the property using a StandardAssessment Procedure (see page 52 for moreon SAP)
These regulations are expected to becomemuch more demanding from 2016 (see page 8)
The Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code for Sustainable Homes is anassessment method for rating and certifyingthe environmental performance of new homesPerformance targets are more demanding thanthe minimum standard needed to satisfycurrent Building Regulations
Unlike Building Regulations the Code assessesthe wider environmental impact of the newdevelopment not just its carbon emissions Itassesses the sustainability of the homes acrossnine categories
bull energy and CO2 emissions
bull water
bull materials
bull surface water run-off
bull waste
bull pollution
bull health and wellbeing
bull management
bull ecology
Each category includes a number ofenvironmental issues and each issue is a sourceof environmental impact which can beassessed against a performance target andawarded one or more credits
A home is assessed at design and post-construction stages before it can be certifiedwith a rating of Level 1 to 6 based on thecredits accrued Level 6 being the higheststandard Relatively few developments haveachieved the highest possible sustainabilityrating Some of those that have are featured inthis practice brief
4 New build
All new publicly funded housing in EnglandWales and Northern Ireland is required to meetat least Code Level 3 It is also mandatory for all new homes in England to be assessedagainst the Code for Sustainable Homes evenwhere there are no requirements to meet aminimum Code Level Although higher levels are achieved on a voluntary basis the Codehelps promote higher standards of sustainabledesign It is not used in Scotland
This practice brief is not intended as atechnical guide on how to design homes thatwill achieve a high sustainability rating TheDepartment for Communities and LocalGovernment (DCLG) have published technicalguidance to accompany the Code available fromtheir website at wwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Metropolitan Housing Partnership
Part of the Upton development in Northampton One Earth Homes were the firstsocial housing units in the UK to achieve CodeLevel 6 The three-bedroom houses weredesigned by ZEDfactory the architects behindthe iconic BEDzed development Originallydesigned to comply with EcoHomes Excellent(equivalent to Code Level 3 or 4) the decisionwas taken to upgrade to Code Level 6
Key features of the development include
bull floor featuring 300mm mineral woolinsulation which is covered with waxed slablaid on an acoustic mat and plywood
bull timber frame roof with 300mm mineralwool insulation including a layer of breathermembrane
bull 378m2 of solar tubes providing most of thehot water requirements (topped up bydistrict heating system when needed)
bull 20 modules of solar PV cells covering atotal of 20m2 of roof space and generatinga maximum of 36kW of electricity
bull a wind cowl on the roof which suppliesfresh air and extracts stale air a heatexchanger uses heat from extracted air topre-warm the fresh incoming air
bull high-performing vapour-permeable breathermembrane ensuring high levels of airtightness
bull rainwater from the roof is harvested (storedin a tank in the car park) and used for toiletflushing
bull a green (sedum) roof on the north elevation
The additional cost of lifting these homes fromCode Level 3 or 4 to Level 6 was pound26500 perunit
More informationwwwruralzedcomruralzed_completedhtml
Practiceexample
The Passivhaus Standard
The Passivhaus Standard was developed inGermany in the early 1990s and is now used inmany countries around the world Assessment of homes against the Standard is not mandatoryanywhere in the UK but some developers areapplying Passivhaus principles to help reduce theirpropertiesrsquo carbon emissions The standardrsquos focusis on reducing the need for energy to be used toheat and cool spaces Through the application ofPassivhaus principles it is possible that atraditional heating system may no longer berequired at all This is typically achieved through
bull good levels of insulation
bull internal heat sources and natural heating
bull excellent levels of airtightness
bull good ventilation with an efficient heatrecovery system
6
Cost of works
The actual cost of works can vary considerably depending on the nature of thedevelopment However in August 2011 DCLG estimated the typical cost of achievingcompliance with each level of the Code for Sustainable Homes
The figures here are only intended to be illustrative They are costs for an average dwellingon a small brownfield development based on DCLG figures They are expressed as theadditional cost of complying with the Code using a property that conforms to 2006Building Regulations as a baseline
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
pound3472 pound3714 pound4154 pound7418 pound22894 pound37424
Source DCLG Cost of Building to the Code for Sustainable Homes
More details and statistics for other types of development are available from DCLGwwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeupdatedcostreview
Source wwwpassivhausorguk
Indicative section through a Passivhaus
The Passivhaus Standard is sometimesconsidered an alternative to the Code forSustainable Homes However as it is focusedsolely on heating and cooling and does notassess wider environmental impact it isactually more comparable with SAP In practicethese standards do not have to be mutuallyexclusive and using Passivhaus designprinciples can contribute to developersachieving both a higher SAP rating and ahigher level of the Code
For more information visitwwwpassivhausorguk or wwwsphccouk(The Scottish Passivhaus Centre)
Fyne Homes have developed 14 newterraced homes for low cost home ownershipalongside the Firth of Clyde It was the firstdevelopment in Scotland to be accredited bythe German Passivhaus Institute and the firstaffordable development to be accredited in theUK
The overall heating requirement for the housesis 1600kWh per year approximately a tenth ofwhat an average traditional house uses Solarthermal panels were also installed to furtherreduce energy bills for hot water by over 50Finally a heat recovery system provides up to80 of the homesrsquo heating requirementsthrough warmed fresh air
The properties are all now occupied andanecdotal feedback from the occupierssuggests they have noticed significantly
reduced fuel bills in comparison with theirprevious homes
The development has received three ScottishDesign Awards and a RIBA award
More informationwwwfynehomesorguktigh_na_cladachhtml
Orbit Heart of England have completed theUKrsquos largest Passivhaus development atSampson Close in Coventry containing 23 newhomes
The scheme features a mechanical ventilationand heat recovery system and high performinginsulation made up of a high recycled contentThis gives u-values of less than 015Wm2K towalls floors and roofs (see page 10 for anexplanation of u-values)
Current building regulations state that housesmust be shown to leak no more air than10m3hrm250Pa The first three homes atSampson Close all achieved an air test of 06 or below
Large solar panels are also used to heat thedomestic hot water system and a district gasfired heating system provides space heatingwhen required
Orbit estimate that a two-bedroom flat in thedevelopment will cost less than pound2 per week toheat
More informationwwworbitinnovationorgukphHomeProject_showcase2lang=
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Zero Carbon Homes
It is the governmentrsquos aim that all new homesin England and Wales will be zero carbon by2016 This means that all new homes will haveto be energy self-sufficient
The target relates only to lsquoregulated energyrsquo ndashwhich is energy used in the home for thingslike heating and lighting ndash and notlsquounregulated energyrsquo ndash energy consumed by theoccupants of homes through activities such ascooking and by appliances such as televisionsand computers Even so it is an ambitioustarget one of the most stringent in the world
At present the definition of what constitutes a zero carbon home is being reviewedPreviously it was considered to mean homesthat met Level 6 of the Code for SustainableHomes However in practice this is not alwaysachievable in every instance principally because not all households are able to generate sufficient energy on-site to offset their energy use
The government has therefore tasked theZero Carbon Hub with developing a newdefinition which would be technicallyachievable and cost-effective for developers
Their suggested definition is that developersshould be able to achieve a 70 reduction inregulated energy use (from what is allowedby 2006 Building Regulations) through acombination of energy-efficient building andthe use of energy generated from a low orzero carbon (LZC) source such as from anon-site solar panel The remaining reductionin energy use could be made up throughlsquoallowable solutionsrsquo a form of carbonoffsetting where the developer invests inother carbon-saving projects
The government has not defined exactly whatcould constitute an allowable solution butfor example it may include the retro-fittingof other nearby homes or buildings orinvesting in low-carbon street lighting for the area
8
Source wwwzerocarbonhuborg
The zero carbon hierarchy
Allowablesolutions
Zero carbonMeasures allowing
for emissionreductions that aredifficult to achieve
on site
On-site LZC energyand connected heat
Energy efficiency
70 carboncomplianceOn-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
Good buildingfabric performance
+On-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
This definition and in particular what willconstitute allowable solutions will be refinedand will become part of Building Regulationsin England and Wales from 2016 This willconsiderably increase the requirements around controlling carbon emissions from new homes
In Scotland there are separate targets forestablishing zero carbon homes These arebased on the Sullivan Report which waspublished in 2007 and recommended stagedimprovements leading to net zero carbonbuildings by 201617 if practicable
This target will also be implemented throughchanges to Building Standards though theremay be some differences between thedefinitions of zero carbon used in differentparts of the UK
The Sullivan Report is available online atwwwscotlandgovukResourceDoc2177360092637pdf and the Scottish GovernmentrsquosEnergy Efficiency Action Plan which sets outhow it will implement recommendations from the Sullivan Report can be found atwwwscotlandgovukTopicsBusiness-IndustryEnergyActionenergy-efficiency-policyActionPlan
Improving the sustainability of newhomes
Whichever assessment methods are used it islikely that the same design features will becrucial in reducing the environmental impactof new homes These could include
bull Good insulation and use of materials whichdo not lose large quantities of heat ndash thecommon measure of this is a material orproductrsquos u-value (see page 10)
bull Air tight build to further reduce heat loss ndashthe measure of this is the rate of air leakageper square metre This is normally measuredat an artificial pressure of 50Pa and isexpressed as Xm3hrm250Pa Wall roofand floor areas that are exposed to theexternal environment are included in thecalculation In England and Wales themaximum air leakage rate allowed byBuilding Regulations is 8m3hrm250PaHowever a rate of 5-6 can usually beachieved on a conventional construction and3-4 in timber or steel-framed structures
bull Use of heat recovery ventilation systems ndashsystems which lsquocapturersquo heat lost from thebuilding and recycle it to keep the homewarm For example air can be extractedfrom rooms that typically produce heat suchas a kitchen and before this air is expelled itcan be passed through a heat exchangerwhere the heat is transferred to incomingfresh air
bull Use of natural heating ndash orientating homes to make the most of sunlight andreduce the need for artificial heatingHowever developers do also need to beaware of the danger of summertimeoverheating increasing the need for artificialcooling
bull Rainwater harvesting
bull On-site energy generation (considered inmore detail on pages 32-36)
bull Installation of energy-efficient appliances ndashsuch as low energy lighting
bull Use of lsquogreen roofsrsquo such as a sedum roofndash sedum is a plant that can be grown onyour roof It provides natural insulation andcan alleviate some of the flooding fromheavy rainfall as most of the initial water issoaked up into the vegetation on the roof
10
Swan New Homes are developing one ofthe largest zero carbon projects in the ThamesGateway Cranes Court Basildon is the firsthousing development to have 100 of itselectric space and water heating provided bya combined heat and power (CHP) Glycerolunit (for an explanation of this technology see page 36) It is the largest Code Level 6 schemein the Thames Gateway
The key to this achievement is Glycerol thefuel used in the CHP plant which is a wasteproduct in the manufacture of bio-diesel andhas a defined emissions factor of 0057kgCO2kWh The CHP plant provides sufficientelectricity for the scheme over the course of ayear importing electricity from the NationalGrid at peak times and exporting excesselectricity to it at times of low demand Forevery unit of Glycerol burnt the plant willgenerate electricity and the lsquowastersquo heat isused for heating As a result of the selectedfuel and CHP plant efficiencies no additionalrenewable energy was required Thisinnovative approach avoids the installation ofsolar panels creating a more traditionalfaccedilade which was an important issue withplanners
The majority of the homes have beenorientated to make best use of naturalsunlight Heating requirements in the 28 newhouses and flats will be kept to an absoluteminimum with average wall and floor u-valuesof 015 Wm2K roof u-values of 013 Wm2Kwith triple-glazed windows at 08Wm2K and
U-values
The u-value is a measure of the heatloss per square metre of a buildingelement such as a wall door orwindow The lower the u-value thebetter To give an example a solid brickwall may have a u-value of 23Wm2Kan uninsulated cavity wall 16 but amodern filled cavity wall 03
Practiceexample
an exceedingly high air tightness standard(permeability of 3) All units are equipped witha whole-house ventilation system with heatrecovery which further reduces CO2 emissions
The scheme incorporates a rainwaterharvesting system in order that thedevelopment as a whole will not dischargemore rainwater than the previous developmenton the site All plots are to achieve an internalwater usage of 80 litres per person per day(considerably less than the requirements setout in Building Regulations of no more than125 litres per person day) thereby causing noincreased pressure on the local drainagenetwork and reducing the likelihood oflocalised flooding
Further features of Cranes Court includeindividual smart metering of all properties useof recycled materials for the road base triple-glazed wood-framed windows the installationof insulation blocks beneath the floor slabsand the use of the Stewart Milne Sigma IIpanellised wall system
With the site being evaluated as havingecological value owing to the number ofmature trees achieving Level 6 of the Code forSustainable Homes was particularly difficultThe design had to gain maximum points fromnon-ecology sections within the Code andconsequently encompasses the whole range ofambitions of the Code 100 of the availablecredits have been secured within the watersurface water run-off waste and managementcategories
More informationwwwswanorgukdevelopment_and_regenerationdesign_and_sustainability
Green methods of construction
A further way of improving the sustainabilityof a development which is rarely considered isthe use of more natural materials in theconstruction process Natural materials use lessenergy to produce than synthetic ones and sohave additional benefits to the environmentas well as reducing carbon emissions from theproperty itself
Green construction methods could include theuse of natural insulation made from materialssuch as hemp or sheeprsquos wool A mixture ofhemp and lime can also be used in theconstruction of walls floors and roofs
Oaklee Housing Association has built 11new properties at Drumalla House CarnloughCounty Antrim in Northern Ireland Theproperties were built with timber frame usinginsulated solid walling made from hemp andlime
Hemp is a renewable material grown andprocessed in the UK Once hemp fibre hasbeen separated the remaining straw or lsquoshivrsquois chopped and mixed with a wet mix of aspecial lime binder and cast into a lightweightsolid wall 300mm thick which resemblesconcrete The walls are then renderedexternally with lime and plastered internally Inthis case a permanent shuttering board ofmagnesium silicate was used Hemp provides arobust highly insulating but healthy non-toxic breathable material which locks up CO2in the fabric of the building
Practiceexample
The project was part of the Renewable Houseprogramme which consisted of 12 projectsthroughout the UK which demonstrate the useof a range of natural and renewable materialsincluding wood fibre hemp sheeprsquos woolstraw and hempcrete
More informationhttpneesonlineorgp=266
12
How to find out more
Code for Sustainable Homeswwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Passivhaus wwwpassivhausorguk
Zero Carbon wwwzerocarbonhuborg
Measuring water use in the homewwwthewatercalculatororguk
The use of natural materials inconstruction is considered in more detailin the CIH and Housing StudiesAssociation publication Housing theenvironment and our changing climate(Chapter 9) wwwcihorgthebookshop
A website devoted to natural buildingmethods iswwwgreenhomebuildingcom
A full account of the Renewable Houseprogramme written by Professor TomWoolley will be published later in 2012
are you aware of the current standards fornew build and do you comply
are you up-to-date with how they arechanging
why not consider aiming for zero carbonnow rather than waiting until itscompulsory
have you considered following Passivhausprinciples in new design
and have you considered alternativebuilding materials such as hempcrete
Practice checklistNew build
Whatrsquos the issue
Every landlord has large parts (perhaps thewhole) of their housing stock which are sub-standard in environmental terms Most facean enormous task to bring their stock up tohigh standards to provide comfort andaffordability for residents and to meet lowcarbon goals This chapter looks at thephysical works required from a non-technicalperspective The aim is to give the housingprofessional a broad understanding of what isinvolved It provides the background forsetting targets and programming the workcovered on pages 47-57
House types and their problems
Across a landlordrsquos typical stock there will beconsiderable differences in energy efficiencyand hence carbon emissions even beforeresident behaviour is factored into theassessment This is because some house typesare inherently more energy-efficient or havecharacteristics which will have lent themselvesto upgrading in earlier schemes The mostmodern stock built in the last ten years willalso have been built to higher energyefficiency standards and (for example) haveinsulated cavity walls Most traditionally-builtstock dating after the 1920s has cavity wallswhich may already have been insulatedTraditionally-built houses usually have loftssuitable for insulation (although may alsohave part-sloping ceilings)
Most social landlordsrsquo homes are physicallyjoined to their neighbours in a terrace as apair of lsquosemisrsquo or within a block These areinherently more efficient as heat loss betweenoccupied dwellings is lower By the sametoken more exposed detached or end-terraceproperties are likely to be less efficient
Particular problems are likely to occur inretrofitting both modern properties that are inblocks (especially tower blocks) and olderproperties (pre-1919) that have solid wallswhich lose heat quickly (see page 17) but canonly be insulated by losing room space orinstalling outside cladding Clearly houses ofarchitectural or historic interest also posespecial challenges (see example on page 14)
Tackling existing housing stock
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
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All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
2 ContentsGreening your housing stock Page 3New build Page 4Tackling existing housing stock Page 13Financing retrofit Page 21Microgeneration Page 32 Fuel poverty Page 37Engaging with tenants Page 41Developing a strategy for your stock Page 47Glossary Page 58Finding out more Page 59
Customer feedbackWe welcome feedback on how we can improve our publications both in terms of format andcontent If you would like to contribute to our commitment to improving our services please email policyandpracticecihorg
Authors David Pipe Policy and Practice Officer and John Perry Policy Adviser (CIH)Editor Debbie Larner Head of Practice (CIH)Acknowledgements We are grateful to Swan Housing Group wwwswanorguk for partnering
CIH in the production and dissemination of this practice briefPermission to reproduce diagrams was received from BRE (p6) Zero CarbonHub (p8) Construction Products Association (pp14 and 51) uSwitch (p38)Richard Baines Black Country HA made helpful comments on the text
Productionprint Jeremy SpencerHobbs the printers TottonImages sourced by Marion Conlon CIH (from istockphotocom and shutterstockcom)
copy Copyright Chartered Institute of Housing 2012Registered charity No 244067R ISBN 978-1-905018-92-5
This publication is printed on Nine Lives 55 130gsm silk which is made with 55 recycledfibre from both pre-consumer and post-consumer sources together with 45 virgin ECF
fibre from sustainable forests
Whilst all reasonable care and attention has been taken in compiling this publication the authors and thepublishers regret that they cannot assume responsibility for any error or omission that it contains The practice brief refers to a number of different commercial and non-profit services and products Howevernone of the services or products are endorsed by CIH unless they are directly provided by CIH or one of itsassociated companies CIH assumes no responsibility for services or products provided by othersAll rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system or transmitted inany form or by any means electronic mechanical photocopying recording or otherwise without the priorpermission of the publishers
Most housing organisations want to improvetheir environmental performance Many havelooked at going lsquogreenrsquo The practice briefGreening your Organisation sets out why this isimportant what the benefits are and how todo it Read it for the wider background to thisnew practice brief on greening your stockHere we focus more directly on reducingcarbon emissions from your homes
As a housing organisation you can achieveyour biggest impact by raising environmentalstandards in the stock itself This is becausecarbon emissions from homes contribute morethan a quarter of the UKrsquos total Reducingthem will be vital in achieving the UK target ofreducing total emissions by 80 by 2050Housing is particularly important becauseimprovements can be made more quickly andeconomically in this sector than in others suchas transport And energy efficiency is goodnews for occupiers because it should lead tolower fuel bills and helps tackle fuel poverty
This practice brief is not a technical guideItrsquos a broad introduction for those wanting toknow how to go about greening the housesthey own or plan to provide
The aims are to
bull set out what is required of you as a landlordand developer
bull say why it is important
bull outline the available techniques
bull consider the key issues you will face whengetting started
bull discuss ways in which to engage withtenants
bull tell you how the work can be resourced
bull show how to develop a strategy that fitswith your business plan
bull provide you with links to detailedinformation sources and guidance
The methods for greening housing stock applyacross the UK and much of northern EuropeThe policies and financial arrangements differin the four UK administrations and thepractice brief covers these differences
It has separate sections covering
bull new build ndash what are the relevant policiesrequirements and standards
bull existing stock ndash what differentrequirements apply
bull finance ndash how do you pay for theinvestment
bull microgeneration techniques ndash shouldyou generate renewable energy onsite
bull fuel poverty ndash how does the energyefficiency of your stock affect your tenantsrsquofinances
bull engaging with tenants ndash how do youbuild commitment to saving energy
bull developing a strategy ndash how do youbring all this together
This practice brief is mainly aboutmitigation ndash the term used for work whichhelps to reduce climate change But it alsocovers some key aspects of adaptation ndashmaking sure your stock is in a better state tocope with climate change as it occurs
Greening your housing stock
Whatrsquos the issue
According to the Zero Carbon Hub a non-profit organisation that supports the delivery ofzero carbon homes a typical household livingin an average-size house built to 2006 BuildingRegulations generates just over three tonnesof CO2 per year In order to meet thegovernmentrsquos overall ambition to reduce totalcarbon emissions by 80 by 2050 new homeswill need to be built to much higher standardsof energy efficiency
In addition to directly contributing to lowerCO2 emissions new homes also have a widerenvironmental impact The types of materialsused the way waste and pollution areminimised and the way natural resources likerainwater are utilised all contribute to theoverall sustainability of a development
There are a number of ways of assessing thesustainability of new homes and differentmethods and targets exist in different parts ofthe UK
Building Regulations
Building Regulations (or Building Standards inScotland) set out the absolute minimumrequirements for most new buildings Theyspecify a level of energy efficiency that must beachieved in new dwellings The level isdetermined by calculating the total carbonemission rate for the property using a StandardAssessment Procedure (see page 52 for moreon SAP)
These regulations are expected to becomemuch more demanding from 2016 (see page 8)
The Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code for Sustainable Homes is anassessment method for rating and certifyingthe environmental performance of new homesPerformance targets are more demanding thanthe minimum standard needed to satisfycurrent Building Regulations
Unlike Building Regulations the Code assessesthe wider environmental impact of the newdevelopment not just its carbon emissions Itassesses the sustainability of the homes acrossnine categories
bull energy and CO2 emissions
bull water
bull materials
bull surface water run-off
bull waste
bull pollution
bull health and wellbeing
bull management
bull ecology
Each category includes a number ofenvironmental issues and each issue is a sourceof environmental impact which can beassessed against a performance target andawarded one or more credits
A home is assessed at design and post-construction stages before it can be certifiedwith a rating of Level 1 to 6 based on thecredits accrued Level 6 being the higheststandard Relatively few developments haveachieved the highest possible sustainabilityrating Some of those that have are featured inthis practice brief
4 New build
All new publicly funded housing in EnglandWales and Northern Ireland is required to meetat least Code Level 3 It is also mandatory for all new homes in England to be assessedagainst the Code for Sustainable Homes evenwhere there are no requirements to meet aminimum Code Level Although higher levels are achieved on a voluntary basis the Codehelps promote higher standards of sustainabledesign It is not used in Scotland
This practice brief is not intended as atechnical guide on how to design homes thatwill achieve a high sustainability rating TheDepartment for Communities and LocalGovernment (DCLG) have published technicalguidance to accompany the Code available fromtheir website at wwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Metropolitan Housing Partnership
Part of the Upton development in Northampton One Earth Homes were the firstsocial housing units in the UK to achieve CodeLevel 6 The three-bedroom houses weredesigned by ZEDfactory the architects behindthe iconic BEDzed development Originallydesigned to comply with EcoHomes Excellent(equivalent to Code Level 3 or 4) the decisionwas taken to upgrade to Code Level 6
Key features of the development include
bull floor featuring 300mm mineral woolinsulation which is covered with waxed slablaid on an acoustic mat and plywood
bull timber frame roof with 300mm mineralwool insulation including a layer of breathermembrane
bull 378m2 of solar tubes providing most of thehot water requirements (topped up bydistrict heating system when needed)
bull 20 modules of solar PV cells covering atotal of 20m2 of roof space and generatinga maximum of 36kW of electricity
bull a wind cowl on the roof which suppliesfresh air and extracts stale air a heatexchanger uses heat from extracted air topre-warm the fresh incoming air
bull high-performing vapour-permeable breathermembrane ensuring high levels of airtightness
bull rainwater from the roof is harvested (storedin a tank in the car park) and used for toiletflushing
bull a green (sedum) roof on the north elevation
The additional cost of lifting these homes fromCode Level 3 or 4 to Level 6 was pound26500 perunit
More informationwwwruralzedcomruralzed_completedhtml
Practiceexample
The Passivhaus Standard
The Passivhaus Standard was developed inGermany in the early 1990s and is now used inmany countries around the world Assessment of homes against the Standard is not mandatoryanywhere in the UK but some developers areapplying Passivhaus principles to help reduce theirpropertiesrsquo carbon emissions The standardrsquos focusis on reducing the need for energy to be used toheat and cool spaces Through the application ofPassivhaus principles it is possible that atraditional heating system may no longer berequired at all This is typically achieved through
bull good levels of insulation
bull internal heat sources and natural heating
bull excellent levels of airtightness
bull good ventilation with an efficient heatrecovery system
6
Cost of works
The actual cost of works can vary considerably depending on the nature of thedevelopment However in August 2011 DCLG estimated the typical cost of achievingcompliance with each level of the Code for Sustainable Homes
The figures here are only intended to be illustrative They are costs for an average dwellingon a small brownfield development based on DCLG figures They are expressed as theadditional cost of complying with the Code using a property that conforms to 2006Building Regulations as a baseline
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
pound3472 pound3714 pound4154 pound7418 pound22894 pound37424
Source DCLG Cost of Building to the Code for Sustainable Homes
More details and statistics for other types of development are available from DCLGwwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeupdatedcostreview
Source wwwpassivhausorguk
Indicative section through a Passivhaus
The Passivhaus Standard is sometimesconsidered an alternative to the Code forSustainable Homes However as it is focusedsolely on heating and cooling and does notassess wider environmental impact it isactually more comparable with SAP In practicethese standards do not have to be mutuallyexclusive and using Passivhaus designprinciples can contribute to developersachieving both a higher SAP rating and ahigher level of the Code
For more information visitwwwpassivhausorguk or wwwsphccouk(The Scottish Passivhaus Centre)
Fyne Homes have developed 14 newterraced homes for low cost home ownershipalongside the Firth of Clyde It was the firstdevelopment in Scotland to be accredited bythe German Passivhaus Institute and the firstaffordable development to be accredited in theUK
The overall heating requirement for the housesis 1600kWh per year approximately a tenth ofwhat an average traditional house uses Solarthermal panels were also installed to furtherreduce energy bills for hot water by over 50Finally a heat recovery system provides up to80 of the homesrsquo heating requirementsthrough warmed fresh air
The properties are all now occupied andanecdotal feedback from the occupierssuggests they have noticed significantly
reduced fuel bills in comparison with theirprevious homes
The development has received three ScottishDesign Awards and a RIBA award
More informationwwwfynehomesorguktigh_na_cladachhtml
Orbit Heart of England have completed theUKrsquos largest Passivhaus development atSampson Close in Coventry containing 23 newhomes
The scheme features a mechanical ventilationand heat recovery system and high performinginsulation made up of a high recycled contentThis gives u-values of less than 015Wm2K towalls floors and roofs (see page 10 for anexplanation of u-values)
Current building regulations state that housesmust be shown to leak no more air than10m3hrm250Pa The first three homes atSampson Close all achieved an air test of 06 or below
Large solar panels are also used to heat thedomestic hot water system and a district gasfired heating system provides space heatingwhen required
Orbit estimate that a two-bedroom flat in thedevelopment will cost less than pound2 per week toheat
More informationwwworbitinnovationorgukphHomeProject_showcase2lang=
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Zero Carbon Homes
It is the governmentrsquos aim that all new homesin England and Wales will be zero carbon by2016 This means that all new homes will haveto be energy self-sufficient
The target relates only to lsquoregulated energyrsquo ndashwhich is energy used in the home for thingslike heating and lighting ndash and notlsquounregulated energyrsquo ndash energy consumed by theoccupants of homes through activities such ascooking and by appliances such as televisionsand computers Even so it is an ambitioustarget one of the most stringent in the world
At present the definition of what constitutes a zero carbon home is being reviewedPreviously it was considered to mean homesthat met Level 6 of the Code for SustainableHomes However in practice this is not alwaysachievable in every instance principally because not all households are able to generate sufficient energy on-site to offset their energy use
The government has therefore tasked theZero Carbon Hub with developing a newdefinition which would be technicallyachievable and cost-effective for developers
Their suggested definition is that developersshould be able to achieve a 70 reduction inregulated energy use (from what is allowedby 2006 Building Regulations) through acombination of energy-efficient building andthe use of energy generated from a low orzero carbon (LZC) source such as from anon-site solar panel The remaining reductionin energy use could be made up throughlsquoallowable solutionsrsquo a form of carbonoffsetting where the developer invests inother carbon-saving projects
The government has not defined exactly whatcould constitute an allowable solution butfor example it may include the retro-fittingof other nearby homes or buildings orinvesting in low-carbon street lighting for the area
8
Source wwwzerocarbonhuborg
The zero carbon hierarchy
Allowablesolutions
Zero carbonMeasures allowing
for emissionreductions that aredifficult to achieve
on site
On-site LZC energyand connected heat
Energy efficiency
70 carboncomplianceOn-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
Good buildingfabric performance
+On-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
This definition and in particular what willconstitute allowable solutions will be refinedand will become part of Building Regulationsin England and Wales from 2016 This willconsiderably increase the requirements around controlling carbon emissions from new homes
In Scotland there are separate targets forestablishing zero carbon homes These arebased on the Sullivan Report which waspublished in 2007 and recommended stagedimprovements leading to net zero carbonbuildings by 201617 if practicable
This target will also be implemented throughchanges to Building Standards though theremay be some differences between thedefinitions of zero carbon used in differentparts of the UK
The Sullivan Report is available online atwwwscotlandgovukResourceDoc2177360092637pdf and the Scottish GovernmentrsquosEnergy Efficiency Action Plan which sets outhow it will implement recommendations from the Sullivan Report can be found atwwwscotlandgovukTopicsBusiness-IndustryEnergyActionenergy-efficiency-policyActionPlan
Improving the sustainability of newhomes
Whichever assessment methods are used it islikely that the same design features will becrucial in reducing the environmental impactof new homes These could include
bull Good insulation and use of materials whichdo not lose large quantities of heat ndash thecommon measure of this is a material orproductrsquos u-value (see page 10)
bull Air tight build to further reduce heat loss ndashthe measure of this is the rate of air leakageper square metre This is normally measuredat an artificial pressure of 50Pa and isexpressed as Xm3hrm250Pa Wall roofand floor areas that are exposed to theexternal environment are included in thecalculation In England and Wales themaximum air leakage rate allowed byBuilding Regulations is 8m3hrm250PaHowever a rate of 5-6 can usually beachieved on a conventional construction and3-4 in timber or steel-framed structures
bull Use of heat recovery ventilation systems ndashsystems which lsquocapturersquo heat lost from thebuilding and recycle it to keep the homewarm For example air can be extractedfrom rooms that typically produce heat suchas a kitchen and before this air is expelled itcan be passed through a heat exchangerwhere the heat is transferred to incomingfresh air
bull Use of natural heating ndash orientating homes to make the most of sunlight andreduce the need for artificial heatingHowever developers do also need to beaware of the danger of summertimeoverheating increasing the need for artificialcooling
bull Rainwater harvesting
bull On-site energy generation (considered inmore detail on pages 32-36)
bull Installation of energy-efficient appliances ndashsuch as low energy lighting
bull Use of lsquogreen roofsrsquo such as a sedum roofndash sedum is a plant that can be grown onyour roof It provides natural insulation andcan alleviate some of the flooding fromheavy rainfall as most of the initial water issoaked up into the vegetation on the roof
10
Swan New Homes are developing one ofthe largest zero carbon projects in the ThamesGateway Cranes Court Basildon is the firsthousing development to have 100 of itselectric space and water heating provided bya combined heat and power (CHP) Glycerolunit (for an explanation of this technology see page 36) It is the largest Code Level 6 schemein the Thames Gateway
The key to this achievement is Glycerol thefuel used in the CHP plant which is a wasteproduct in the manufacture of bio-diesel andhas a defined emissions factor of 0057kgCO2kWh The CHP plant provides sufficientelectricity for the scheme over the course of ayear importing electricity from the NationalGrid at peak times and exporting excesselectricity to it at times of low demand Forevery unit of Glycerol burnt the plant willgenerate electricity and the lsquowastersquo heat isused for heating As a result of the selectedfuel and CHP plant efficiencies no additionalrenewable energy was required Thisinnovative approach avoids the installation ofsolar panels creating a more traditionalfaccedilade which was an important issue withplanners
The majority of the homes have beenorientated to make best use of naturalsunlight Heating requirements in the 28 newhouses and flats will be kept to an absoluteminimum with average wall and floor u-valuesof 015 Wm2K roof u-values of 013 Wm2Kwith triple-glazed windows at 08Wm2K and
U-values
The u-value is a measure of the heatloss per square metre of a buildingelement such as a wall door orwindow The lower the u-value thebetter To give an example a solid brickwall may have a u-value of 23Wm2Kan uninsulated cavity wall 16 but amodern filled cavity wall 03
Practiceexample
an exceedingly high air tightness standard(permeability of 3) All units are equipped witha whole-house ventilation system with heatrecovery which further reduces CO2 emissions
The scheme incorporates a rainwaterharvesting system in order that thedevelopment as a whole will not dischargemore rainwater than the previous developmenton the site All plots are to achieve an internalwater usage of 80 litres per person per day(considerably less than the requirements setout in Building Regulations of no more than125 litres per person day) thereby causing noincreased pressure on the local drainagenetwork and reducing the likelihood oflocalised flooding
Further features of Cranes Court includeindividual smart metering of all properties useof recycled materials for the road base triple-glazed wood-framed windows the installationof insulation blocks beneath the floor slabsand the use of the Stewart Milne Sigma IIpanellised wall system
With the site being evaluated as havingecological value owing to the number ofmature trees achieving Level 6 of the Code forSustainable Homes was particularly difficultThe design had to gain maximum points fromnon-ecology sections within the Code andconsequently encompasses the whole range ofambitions of the Code 100 of the availablecredits have been secured within the watersurface water run-off waste and managementcategories
More informationwwwswanorgukdevelopment_and_regenerationdesign_and_sustainability
Green methods of construction
A further way of improving the sustainabilityof a development which is rarely considered isthe use of more natural materials in theconstruction process Natural materials use lessenergy to produce than synthetic ones and sohave additional benefits to the environmentas well as reducing carbon emissions from theproperty itself
Green construction methods could include theuse of natural insulation made from materialssuch as hemp or sheeprsquos wool A mixture ofhemp and lime can also be used in theconstruction of walls floors and roofs
Oaklee Housing Association has built 11new properties at Drumalla House CarnloughCounty Antrim in Northern Ireland Theproperties were built with timber frame usinginsulated solid walling made from hemp andlime
Hemp is a renewable material grown andprocessed in the UK Once hemp fibre hasbeen separated the remaining straw or lsquoshivrsquois chopped and mixed with a wet mix of aspecial lime binder and cast into a lightweightsolid wall 300mm thick which resemblesconcrete The walls are then renderedexternally with lime and plastered internally Inthis case a permanent shuttering board ofmagnesium silicate was used Hemp provides arobust highly insulating but healthy non-toxic breathable material which locks up CO2in the fabric of the building
Practiceexample
The project was part of the Renewable Houseprogramme which consisted of 12 projectsthroughout the UK which demonstrate the useof a range of natural and renewable materialsincluding wood fibre hemp sheeprsquos woolstraw and hempcrete
More informationhttpneesonlineorgp=266
12
How to find out more
Code for Sustainable Homeswwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Passivhaus wwwpassivhausorguk
Zero Carbon wwwzerocarbonhuborg
Measuring water use in the homewwwthewatercalculatororguk
The use of natural materials inconstruction is considered in more detailin the CIH and Housing StudiesAssociation publication Housing theenvironment and our changing climate(Chapter 9) wwwcihorgthebookshop
A website devoted to natural buildingmethods iswwwgreenhomebuildingcom
A full account of the Renewable Houseprogramme written by Professor TomWoolley will be published later in 2012
are you aware of the current standards fornew build and do you comply
are you up-to-date with how they arechanging
why not consider aiming for zero carbonnow rather than waiting until itscompulsory
have you considered following Passivhausprinciples in new design
and have you considered alternativebuilding materials such as hempcrete
Practice checklistNew build
Whatrsquos the issue
Every landlord has large parts (perhaps thewhole) of their housing stock which are sub-standard in environmental terms Most facean enormous task to bring their stock up tohigh standards to provide comfort andaffordability for residents and to meet lowcarbon goals This chapter looks at thephysical works required from a non-technicalperspective The aim is to give the housingprofessional a broad understanding of what isinvolved It provides the background forsetting targets and programming the workcovered on pages 47-57
House types and their problems
Across a landlordrsquos typical stock there will beconsiderable differences in energy efficiencyand hence carbon emissions even beforeresident behaviour is factored into theassessment This is because some house typesare inherently more energy-efficient or havecharacteristics which will have lent themselvesto upgrading in earlier schemes The mostmodern stock built in the last ten years willalso have been built to higher energyefficiency standards and (for example) haveinsulated cavity walls Most traditionally-builtstock dating after the 1920s has cavity wallswhich may already have been insulatedTraditionally-built houses usually have loftssuitable for insulation (although may alsohave part-sloping ceilings)
Most social landlordsrsquo homes are physicallyjoined to their neighbours in a terrace as apair of lsquosemisrsquo or within a block These areinherently more efficient as heat loss betweenoccupied dwellings is lower By the sametoken more exposed detached or end-terraceproperties are likely to be less efficient
Particular problems are likely to occur inretrofitting both modern properties that are inblocks (especially tower blocks) and olderproperties (pre-1919) that have solid wallswhich lose heat quickly (see page 17) but canonly be insulated by losing room space orinstalling outside cladding Clearly houses ofarchitectural or historic interest also posespecial challenges (see example on page 14)
Tackling existing housing stock
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Most housing organisations want to improvetheir environmental performance Many havelooked at going lsquogreenrsquo The practice briefGreening your Organisation sets out why this isimportant what the benefits are and how todo it Read it for the wider background to thisnew practice brief on greening your stockHere we focus more directly on reducingcarbon emissions from your homes
As a housing organisation you can achieveyour biggest impact by raising environmentalstandards in the stock itself This is becausecarbon emissions from homes contribute morethan a quarter of the UKrsquos total Reducingthem will be vital in achieving the UK target ofreducing total emissions by 80 by 2050Housing is particularly important becauseimprovements can be made more quickly andeconomically in this sector than in others suchas transport And energy efficiency is goodnews for occupiers because it should lead tolower fuel bills and helps tackle fuel poverty
This practice brief is not a technical guideItrsquos a broad introduction for those wanting toknow how to go about greening the housesthey own or plan to provide
The aims are to
bull set out what is required of you as a landlordand developer
bull say why it is important
bull outline the available techniques
bull consider the key issues you will face whengetting started
bull discuss ways in which to engage withtenants
bull tell you how the work can be resourced
bull show how to develop a strategy that fitswith your business plan
bull provide you with links to detailedinformation sources and guidance
The methods for greening housing stock applyacross the UK and much of northern EuropeThe policies and financial arrangements differin the four UK administrations and thepractice brief covers these differences
It has separate sections covering
bull new build ndash what are the relevant policiesrequirements and standards
bull existing stock ndash what differentrequirements apply
bull finance ndash how do you pay for theinvestment
bull microgeneration techniques ndash shouldyou generate renewable energy onsite
bull fuel poverty ndash how does the energyefficiency of your stock affect your tenantsrsquofinances
bull engaging with tenants ndash how do youbuild commitment to saving energy
bull developing a strategy ndash how do youbring all this together
This practice brief is mainly aboutmitigation ndash the term used for work whichhelps to reduce climate change But it alsocovers some key aspects of adaptation ndashmaking sure your stock is in a better state tocope with climate change as it occurs
Greening your housing stock
Whatrsquos the issue
According to the Zero Carbon Hub a non-profit organisation that supports the delivery ofzero carbon homes a typical household livingin an average-size house built to 2006 BuildingRegulations generates just over three tonnesof CO2 per year In order to meet thegovernmentrsquos overall ambition to reduce totalcarbon emissions by 80 by 2050 new homeswill need to be built to much higher standardsof energy efficiency
In addition to directly contributing to lowerCO2 emissions new homes also have a widerenvironmental impact The types of materialsused the way waste and pollution areminimised and the way natural resources likerainwater are utilised all contribute to theoverall sustainability of a development
There are a number of ways of assessing thesustainability of new homes and differentmethods and targets exist in different parts ofthe UK
Building Regulations
Building Regulations (or Building Standards inScotland) set out the absolute minimumrequirements for most new buildings Theyspecify a level of energy efficiency that must beachieved in new dwellings The level isdetermined by calculating the total carbonemission rate for the property using a StandardAssessment Procedure (see page 52 for moreon SAP)
These regulations are expected to becomemuch more demanding from 2016 (see page 8)
The Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code for Sustainable Homes is anassessment method for rating and certifyingthe environmental performance of new homesPerformance targets are more demanding thanthe minimum standard needed to satisfycurrent Building Regulations
Unlike Building Regulations the Code assessesthe wider environmental impact of the newdevelopment not just its carbon emissions Itassesses the sustainability of the homes acrossnine categories
bull energy and CO2 emissions
bull water
bull materials
bull surface water run-off
bull waste
bull pollution
bull health and wellbeing
bull management
bull ecology
Each category includes a number ofenvironmental issues and each issue is a sourceof environmental impact which can beassessed against a performance target andawarded one or more credits
A home is assessed at design and post-construction stages before it can be certifiedwith a rating of Level 1 to 6 based on thecredits accrued Level 6 being the higheststandard Relatively few developments haveachieved the highest possible sustainabilityrating Some of those that have are featured inthis practice brief
4 New build
All new publicly funded housing in EnglandWales and Northern Ireland is required to meetat least Code Level 3 It is also mandatory for all new homes in England to be assessedagainst the Code for Sustainable Homes evenwhere there are no requirements to meet aminimum Code Level Although higher levels are achieved on a voluntary basis the Codehelps promote higher standards of sustainabledesign It is not used in Scotland
This practice brief is not intended as atechnical guide on how to design homes thatwill achieve a high sustainability rating TheDepartment for Communities and LocalGovernment (DCLG) have published technicalguidance to accompany the Code available fromtheir website at wwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Metropolitan Housing Partnership
Part of the Upton development in Northampton One Earth Homes were the firstsocial housing units in the UK to achieve CodeLevel 6 The three-bedroom houses weredesigned by ZEDfactory the architects behindthe iconic BEDzed development Originallydesigned to comply with EcoHomes Excellent(equivalent to Code Level 3 or 4) the decisionwas taken to upgrade to Code Level 6
Key features of the development include
bull floor featuring 300mm mineral woolinsulation which is covered with waxed slablaid on an acoustic mat and plywood
bull timber frame roof with 300mm mineralwool insulation including a layer of breathermembrane
bull 378m2 of solar tubes providing most of thehot water requirements (topped up bydistrict heating system when needed)
bull 20 modules of solar PV cells covering atotal of 20m2 of roof space and generatinga maximum of 36kW of electricity
bull a wind cowl on the roof which suppliesfresh air and extracts stale air a heatexchanger uses heat from extracted air topre-warm the fresh incoming air
bull high-performing vapour-permeable breathermembrane ensuring high levels of airtightness
bull rainwater from the roof is harvested (storedin a tank in the car park) and used for toiletflushing
bull a green (sedum) roof on the north elevation
The additional cost of lifting these homes fromCode Level 3 or 4 to Level 6 was pound26500 perunit
More informationwwwruralzedcomruralzed_completedhtml
Practiceexample
The Passivhaus Standard
The Passivhaus Standard was developed inGermany in the early 1990s and is now used inmany countries around the world Assessment of homes against the Standard is not mandatoryanywhere in the UK but some developers areapplying Passivhaus principles to help reduce theirpropertiesrsquo carbon emissions The standardrsquos focusis on reducing the need for energy to be used toheat and cool spaces Through the application ofPassivhaus principles it is possible that atraditional heating system may no longer berequired at all This is typically achieved through
bull good levels of insulation
bull internal heat sources and natural heating
bull excellent levels of airtightness
bull good ventilation with an efficient heatrecovery system
6
Cost of works
The actual cost of works can vary considerably depending on the nature of thedevelopment However in August 2011 DCLG estimated the typical cost of achievingcompliance with each level of the Code for Sustainable Homes
The figures here are only intended to be illustrative They are costs for an average dwellingon a small brownfield development based on DCLG figures They are expressed as theadditional cost of complying with the Code using a property that conforms to 2006Building Regulations as a baseline
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
pound3472 pound3714 pound4154 pound7418 pound22894 pound37424
Source DCLG Cost of Building to the Code for Sustainable Homes
More details and statistics for other types of development are available from DCLGwwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeupdatedcostreview
Source wwwpassivhausorguk
Indicative section through a Passivhaus
The Passivhaus Standard is sometimesconsidered an alternative to the Code forSustainable Homes However as it is focusedsolely on heating and cooling and does notassess wider environmental impact it isactually more comparable with SAP In practicethese standards do not have to be mutuallyexclusive and using Passivhaus designprinciples can contribute to developersachieving both a higher SAP rating and ahigher level of the Code
For more information visitwwwpassivhausorguk or wwwsphccouk(The Scottish Passivhaus Centre)
Fyne Homes have developed 14 newterraced homes for low cost home ownershipalongside the Firth of Clyde It was the firstdevelopment in Scotland to be accredited bythe German Passivhaus Institute and the firstaffordable development to be accredited in theUK
The overall heating requirement for the housesis 1600kWh per year approximately a tenth ofwhat an average traditional house uses Solarthermal panels were also installed to furtherreduce energy bills for hot water by over 50Finally a heat recovery system provides up to80 of the homesrsquo heating requirementsthrough warmed fresh air
The properties are all now occupied andanecdotal feedback from the occupierssuggests they have noticed significantly
reduced fuel bills in comparison with theirprevious homes
The development has received three ScottishDesign Awards and a RIBA award
More informationwwwfynehomesorguktigh_na_cladachhtml
Orbit Heart of England have completed theUKrsquos largest Passivhaus development atSampson Close in Coventry containing 23 newhomes
The scheme features a mechanical ventilationand heat recovery system and high performinginsulation made up of a high recycled contentThis gives u-values of less than 015Wm2K towalls floors and roofs (see page 10 for anexplanation of u-values)
Current building regulations state that housesmust be shown to leak no more air than10m3hrm250Pa The first three homes atSampson Close all achieved an air test of 06 or below
Large solar panels are also used to heat thedomestic hot water system and a district gasfired heating system provides space heatingwhen required
Orbit estimate that a two-bedroom flat in thedevelopment will cost less than pound2 per week toheat
More informationwwworbitinnovationorgukphHomeProject_showcase2lang=
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Zero Carbon Homes
It is the governmentrsquos aim that all new homesin England and Wales will be zero carbon by2016 This means that all new homes will haveto be energy self-sufficient
The target relates only to lsquoregulated energyrsquo ndashwhich is energy used in the home for thingslike heating and lighting ndash and notlsquounregulated energyrsquo ndash energy consumed by theoccupants of homes through activities such ascooking and by appliances such as televisionsand computers Even so it is an ambitioustarget one of the most stringent in the world
At present the definition of what constitutes a zero carbon home is being reviewedPreviously it was considered to mean homesthat met Level 6 of the Code for SustainableHomes However in practice this is not alwaysachievable in every instance principally because not all households are able to generate sufficient energy on-site to offset their energy use
The government has therefore tasked theZero Carbon Hub with developing a newdefinition which would be technicallyachievable and cost-effective for developers
Their suggested definition is that developersshould be able to achieve a 70 reduction inregulated energy use (from what is allowedby 2006 Building Regulations) through acombination of energy-efficient building andthe use of energy generated from a low orzero carbon (LZC) source such as from anon-site solar panel The remaining reductionin energy use could be made up throughlsquoallowable solutionsrsquo a form of carbonoffsetting where the developer invests inother carbon-saving projects
The government has not defined exactly whatcould constitute an allowable solution butfor example it may include the retro-fittingof other nearby homes or buildings orinvesting in low-carbon street lighting for the area
8
Source wwwzerocarbonhuborg
The zero carbon hierarchy
Allowablesolutions
Zero carbonMeasures allowing
for emissionreductions that aredifficult to achieve
on site
On-site LZC energyand connected heat
Energy efficiency
70 carboncomplianceOn-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
Good buildingfabric performance
+On-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
This definition and in particular what willconstitute allowable solutions will be refinedand will become part of Building Regulationsin England and Wales from 2016 This willconsiderably increase the requirements around controlling carbon emissions from new homes
In Scotland there are separate targets forestablishing zero carbon homes These arebased on the Sullivan Report which waspublished in 2007 and recommended stagedimprovements leading to net zero carbonbuildings by 201617 if practicable
This target will also be implemented throughchanges to Building Standards though theremay be some differences between thedefinitions of zero carbon used in differentparts of the UK
The Sullivan Report is available online atwwwscotlandgovukResourceDoc2177360092637pdf and the Scottish GovernmentrsquosEnergy Efficiency Action Plan which sets outhow it will implement recommendations from the Sullivan Report can be found atwwwscotlandgovukTopicsBusiness-IndustryEnergyActionenergy-efficiency-policyActionPlan
Improving the sustainability of newhomes
Whichever assessment methods are used it islikely that the same design features will becrucial in reducing the environmental impactof new homes These could include
bull Good insulation and use of materials whichdo not lose large quantities of heat ndash thecommon measure of this is a material orproductrsquos u-value (see page 10)
bull Air tight build to further reduce heat loss ndashthe measure of this is the rate of air leakageper square metre This is normally measuredat an artificial pressure of 50Pa and isexpressed as Xm3hrm250Pa Wall roofand floor areas that are exposed to theexternal environment are included in thecalculation In England and Wales themaximum air leakage rate allowed byBuilding Regulations is 8m3hrm250PaHowever a rate of 5-6 can usually beachieved on a conventional construction and3-4 in timber or steel-framed structures
bull Use of heat recovery ventilation systems ndashsystems which lsquocapturersquo heat lost from thebuilding and recycle it to keep the homewarm For example air can be extractedfrom rooms that typically produce heat suchas a kitchen and before this air is expelled itcan be passed through a heat exchangerwhere the heat is transferred to incomingfresh air
bull Use of natural heating ndash orientating homes to make the most of sunlight andreduce the need for artificial heatingHowever developers do also need to beaware of the danger of summertimeoverheating increasing the need for artificialcooling
bull Rainwater harvesting
bull On-site energy generation (considered inmore detail on pages 32-36)
bull Installation of energy-efficient appliances ndashsuch as low energy lighting
bull Use of lsquogreen roofsrsquo such as a sedum roofndash sedum is a plant that can be grown onyour roof It provides natural insulation andcan alleviate some of the flooding fromheavy rainfall as most of the initial water issoaked up into the vegetation on the roof
10
Swan New Homes are developing one ofthe largest zero carbon projects in the ThamesGateway Cranes Court Basildon is the firsthousing development to have 100 of itselectric space and water heating provided bya combined heat and power (CHP) Glycerolunit (for an explanation of this technology see page 36) It is the largest Code Level 6 schemein the Thames Gateway
The key to this achievement is Glycerol thefuel used in the CHP plant which is a wasteproduct in the manufacture of bio-diesel andhas a defined emissions factor of 0057kgCO2kWh The CHP plant provides sufficientelectricity for the scheme over the course of ayear importing electricity from the NationalGrid at peak times and exporting excesselectricity to it at times of low demand Forevery unit of Glycerol burnt the plant willgenerate electricity and the lsquowastersquo heat isused for heating As a result of the selectedfuel and CHP plant efficiencies no additionalrenewable energy was required Thisinnovative approach avoids the installation ofsolar panels creating a more traditionalfaccedilade which was an important issue withplanners
The majority of the homes have beenorientated to make best use of naturalsunlight Heating requirements in the 28 newhouses and flats will be kept to an absoluteminimum with average wall and floor u-valuesof 015 Wm2K roof u-values of 013 Wm2Kwith triple-glazed windows at 08Wm2K and
U-values
The u-value is a measure of the heatloss per square metre of a buildingelement such as a wall door orwindow The lower the u-value thebetter To give an example a solid brickwall may have a u-value of 23Wm2Kan uninsulated cavity wall 16 but amodern filled cavity wall 03
Practiceexample
an exceedingly high air tightness standard(permeability of 3) All units are equipped witha whole-house ventilation system with heatrecovery which further reduces CO2 emissions
The scheme incorporates a rainwaterharvesting system in order that thedevelopment as a whole will not dischargemore rainwater than the previous developmenton the site All plots are to achieve an internalwater usage of 80 litres per person per day(considerably less than the requirements setout in Building Regulations of no more than125 litres per person day) thereby causing noincreased pressure on the local drainagenetwork and reducing the likelihood oflocalised flooding
Further features of Cranes Court includeindividual smart metering of all properties useof recycled materials for the road base triple-glazed wood-framed windows the installationof insulation blocks beneath the floor slabsand the use of the Stewart Milne Sigma IIpanellised wall system
With the site being evaluated as havingecological value owing to the number ofmature trees achieving Level 6 of the Code forSustainable Homes was particularly difficultThe design had to gain maximum points fromnon-ecology sections within the Code andconsequently encompasses the whole range ofambitions of the Code 100 of the availablecredits have been secured within the watersurface water run-off waste and managementcategories
More informationwwwswanorgukdevelopment_and_regenerationdesign_and_sustainability
Green methods of construction
A further way of improving the sustainabilityof a development which is rarely considered isthe use of more natural materials in theconstruction process Natural materials use lessenergy to produce than synthetic ones and sohave additional benefits to the environmentas well as reducing carbon emissions from theproperty itself
Green construction methods could include theuse of natural insulation made from materialssuch as hemp or sheeprsquos wool A mixture ofhemp and lime can also be used in theconstruction of walls floors and roofs
Oaklee Housing Association has built 11new properties at Drumalla House CarnloughCounty Antrim in Northern Ireland Theproperties were built with timber frame usinginsulated solid walling made from hemp andlime
Hemp is a renewable material grown andprocessed in the UK Once hemp fibre hasbeen separated the remaining straw or lsquoshivrsquois chopped and mixed with a wet mix of aspecial lime binder and cast into a lightweightsolid wall 300mm thick which resemblesconcrete The walls are then renderedexternally with lime and plastered internally Inthis case a permanent shuttering board ofmagnesium silicate was used Hemp provides arobust highly insulating but healthy non-toxic breathable material which locks up CO2in the fabric of the building
Practiceexample
The project was part of the Renewable Houseprogramme which consisted of 12 projectsthroughout the UK which demonstrate the useof a range of natural and renewable materialsincluding wood fibre hemp sheeprsquos woolstraw and hempcrete
More informationhttpneesonlineorgp=266
12
How to find out more
Code for Sustainable Homeswwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Passivhaus wwwpassivhausorguk
Zero Carbon wwwzerocarbonhuborg
Measuring water use in the homewwwthewatercalculatororguk
The use of natural materials inconstruction is considered in more detailin the CIH and Housing StudiesAssociation publication Housing theenvironment and our changing climate(Chapter 9) wwwcihorgthebookshop
A website devoted to natural buildingmethods iswwwgreenhomebuildingcom
A full account of the Renewable Houseprogramme written by Professor TomWoolley will be published later in 2012
are you aware of the current standards fornew build and do you comply
are you up-to-date with how they arechanging
why not consider aiming for zero carbonnow rather than waiting until itscompulsory
have you considered following Passivhausprinciples in new design
and have you considered alternativebuilding materials such as hempcrete
Practice checklistNew build
Whatrsquos the issue
Every landlord has large parts (perhaps thewhole) of their housing stock which are sub-standard in environmental terms Most facean enormous task to bring their stock up tohigh standards to provide comfort andaffordability for residents and to meet lowcarbon goals This chapter looks at thephysical works required from a non-technicalperspective The aim is to give the housingprofessional a broad understanding of what isinvolved It provides the background forsetting targets and programming the workcovered on pages 47-57
House types and their problems
Across a landlordrsquos typical stock there will beconsiderable differences in energy efficiencyand hence carbon emissions even beforeresident behaviour is factored into theassessment This is because some house typesare inherently more energy-efficient or havecharacteristics which will have lent themselvesto upgrading in earlier schemes The mostmodern stock built in the last ten years willalso have been built to higher energyefficiency standards and (for example) haveinsulated cavity walls Most traditionally-builtstock dating after the 1920s has cavity wallswhich may already have been insulatedTraditionally-built houses usually have loftssuitable for insulation (although may alsohave part-sloping ceilings)
Most social landlordsrsquo homes are physicallyjoined to their neighbours in a terrace as apair of lsquosemisrsquo or within a block These areinherently more efficient as heat loss betweenoccupied dwellings is lower By the sametoken more exposed detached or end-terraceproperties are likely to be less efficient
Particular problems are likely to occur inretrofitting both modern properties that are inblocks (especially tower blocks) and olderproperties (pre-1919) that have solid wallswhich lose heat quickly (see page 17) but canonly be insulated by losing room space orinstalling outside cladding Clearly houses ofarchitectural or historic interest also posespecial challenges (see example on page 14)
Tackling existing housing stock
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Whatrsquos the issue
According to the Zero Carbon Hub a non-profit organisation that supports the delivery ofzero carbon homes a typical household livingin an average-size house built to 2006 BuildingRegulations generates just over three tonnesof CO2 per year In order to meet thegovernmentrsquos overall ambition to reduce totalcarbon emissions by 80 by 2050 new homeswill need to be built to much higher standardsof energy efficiency
In addition to directly contributing to lowerCO2 emissions new homes also have a widerenvironmental impact The types of materialsused the way waste and pollution areminimised and the way natural resources likerainwater are utilised all contribute to theoverall sustainability of a development
There are a number of ways of assessing thesustainability of new homes and differentmethods and targets exist in different parts ofthe UK
Building Regulations
Building Regulations (or Building Standards inScotland) set out the absolute minimumrequirements for most new buildings Theyspecify a level of energy efficiency that must beachieved in new dwellings The level isdetermined by calculating the total carbonemission rate for the property using a StandardAssessment Procedure (see page 52 for moreon SAP)
These regulations are expected to becomemuch more demanding from 2016 (see page 8)
The Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code for Sustainable Homes is anassessment method for rating and certifyingthe environmental performance of new homesPerformance targets are more demanding thanthe minimum standard needed to satisfycurrent Building Regulations
Unlike Building Regulations the Code assessesthe wider environmental impact of the newdevelopment not just its carbon emissions Itassesses the sustainability of the homes acrossnine categories
bull energy and CO2 emissions
bull water
bull materials
bull surface water run-off
bull waste
bull pollution
bull health and wellbeing
bull management
bull ecology
Each category includes a number ofenvironmental issues and each issue is a sourceof environmental impact which can beassessed against a performance target andawarded one or more credits
A home is assessed at design and post-construction stages before it can be certifiedwith a rating of Level 1 to 6 based on thecredits accrued Level 6 being the higheststandard Relatively few developments haveachieved the highest possible sustainabilityrating Some of those that have are featured inthis practice brief
4 New build
All new publicly funded housing in EnglandWales and Northern Ireland is required to meetat least Code Level 3 It is also mandatory for all new homes in England to be assessedagainst the Code for Sustainable Homes evenwhere there are no requirements to meet aminimum Code Level Although higher levels are achieved on a voluntary basis the Codehelps promote higher standards of sustainabledesign It is not used in Scotland
This practice brief is not intended as atechnical guide on how to design homes thatwill achieve a high sustainability rating TheDepartment for Communities and LocalGovernment (DCLG) have published technicalguidance to accompany the Code available fromtheir website at wwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Metropolitan Housing Partnership
Part of the Upton development in Northampton One Earth Homes were the firstsocial housing units in the UK to achieve CodeLevel 6 The three-bedroom houses weredesigned by ZEDfactory the architects behindthe iconic BEDzed development Originallydesigned to comply with EcoHomes Excellent(equivalent to Code Level 3 or 4) the decisionwas taken to upgrade to Code Level 6
Key features of the development include
bull floor featuring 300mm mineral woolinsulation which is covered with waxed slablaid on an acoustic mat and plywood
bull timber frame roof with 300mm mineralwool insulation including a layer of breathermembrane
bull 378m2 of solar tubes providing most of thehot water requirements (topped up bydistrict heating system when needed)
bull 20 modules of solar PV cells covering atotal of 20m2 of roof space and generatinga maximum of 36kW of electricity
bull a wind cowl on the roof which suppliesfresh air and extracts stale air a heatexchanger uses heat from extracted air topre-warm the fresh incoming air
bull high-performing vapour-permeable breathermembrane ensuring high levels of airtightness
bull rainwater from the roof is harvested (storedin a tank in the car park) and used for toiletflushing
bull a green (sedum) roof on the north elevation
The additional cost of lifting these homes fromCode Level 3 or 4 to Level 6 was pound26500 perunit
More informationwwwruralzedcomruralzed_completedhtml
Practiceexample
The Passivhaus Standard
The Passivhaus Standard was developed inGermany in the early 1990s and is now used inmany countries around the world Assessment of homes against the Standard is not mandatoryanywhere in the UK but some developers areapplying Passivhaus principles to help reduce theirpropertiesrsquo carbon emissions The standardrsquos focusis on reducing the need for energy to be used toheat and cool spaces Through the application ofPassivhaus principles it is possible that atraditional heating system may no longer berequired at all This is typically achieved through
bull good levels of insulation
bull internal heat sources and natural heating
bull excellent levels of airtightness
bull good ventilation with an efficient heatrecovery system
6
Cost of works
The actual cost of works can vary considerably depending on the nature of thedevelopment However in August 2011 DCLG estimated the typical cost of achievingcompliance with each level of the Code for Sustainable Homes
The figures here are only intended to be illustrative They are costs for an average dwellingon a small brownfield development based on DCLG figures They are expressed as theadditional cost of complying with the Code using a property that conforms to 2006Building Regulations as a baseline
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
pound3472 pound3714 pound4154 pound7418 pound22894 pound37424
Source DCLG Cost of Building to the Code for Sustainable Homes
More details and statistics for other types of development are available from DCLGwwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeupdatedcostreview
Source wwwpassivhausorguk
Indicative section through a Passivhaus
The Passivhaus Standard is sometimesconsidered an alternative to the Code forSustainable Homes However as it is focusedsolely on heating and cooling and does notassess wider environmental impact it isactually more comparable with SAP In practicethese standards do not have to be mutuallyexclusive and using Passivhaus designprinciples can contribute to developersachieving both a higher SAP rating and ahigher level of the Code
For more information visitwwwpassivhausorguk or wwwsphccouk(The Scottish Passivhaus Centre)
Fyne Homes have developed 14 newterraced homes for low cost home ownershipalongside the Firth of Clyde It was the firstdevelopment in Scotland to be accredited bythe German Passivhaus Institute and the firstaffordable development to be accredited in theUK
The overall heating requirement for the housesis 1600kWh per year approximately a tenth ofwhat an average traditional house uses Solarthermal panels were also installed to furtherreduce energy bills for hot water by over 50Finally a heat recovery system provides up to80 of the homesrsquo heating requirementsthrough warmed fresh air
The properties are all now occupied andanecdotal feedback from the occupierssuggests they have noticed significantly
reduced fuel bills in comparison with theirprevious homes
The development has received three ScottishDesign Awards and a RIBA award
More informationwwwfynehomesorguktigh_na_cladachhtml
Orbit Heart of England have completed theUKrsquos largest Passivhaus development atSampson Close in Coventry containing 23 newhomes
The scheme features a mechanical ventilationand heat recovery system and high performinginsulation made up of a high recycled contentThis gives u-values of less than 015Wm2K towalls floors and roofs (see page 10 for anexplanation of u-values)
Current building regulations state that housesmust be shown to leak no more air than10m3hrm250Pa The first three homes atSampson Close all achieved an air test of 06 or below
Large solar panels are also used to heat thedomestic hot water system and a district gasfired heating system provides space heatingwhen required
Orbit estimate that a two-bedroom flat in thedevelopment will cost less than pound2 per week toheat
More informationwwworbitinnovationorgukphHomeProject_showcase2lang=
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Zero Carbon Homes
It is the governmentrsquos aim that all new homesin England and Wales will be zero carbon by2016 This means that all new homes will haveto be energy self-sufficient
The target relates only to lsquoregulated energyrsquo ndashwhich is energy used in the home for thingslike heating and lighting ndash and notlsquounregulated energyrsquo ndash energy consumed by theoccupants of homes through activities such ascooking and by appliances such as televisionsand computers Even so it is an ambitioustarget one of the most stringent in the world
At present the definition of what constitutes a zero carbon home is being reviewedPreviously it was considered to mean homesthat met Level 6 of the Code for SustainableHomes However in practice this is not alwaysachievable in every instance principally because not all households are able to generate sufficient energy on-site to offset their energy use
The government has therefore tasked theZero Carbon Hub with developing a newdefinition which would be technicallyachievable and cost-effective for developers
Their suggested definition is that developersshould be able to achieve a 70 reduction inregulated energy use (from what is allowedby 2006 Building Regulations) through acombination of energy-efficient building andthe use of energy generated from a low orzero carbon (LZC) source such as from anon-site solar panel The remaining reductionin energy use could be made up throughlsquoallowable solutionsrsquo a form of carbonoffsetting where the developer invests inother carbon-saving projects
The government has not defined exactly whatcould constitute an allowable solution butfor example it may include the retro-fittingof other nearby homes or buildings orinvesting in low-carbon street lighting for the area
8
Source wwwzerocarbonhuborg
The zero carbon hierarchy
Allowablesolutions
Zero carbonMeasures allowing
for emissionreductions that aredifficult to achieve
on site
On-site LZC energyand connected heat
Energy efficiency
70 carboncomplianceOn-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
Good buildingfabric performance
+On-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
This definition and in particular what willconstitute allowable solutions will be refinedand will become part of Building Regulationsin England and Wales from 2016 This willconsiderably increase the requirements around controlling carbon emissions from new homes
In Scotland there are separate targets forestablishing zero carbon homes These arebased on the Sullivan Report which waspublished in 2007 and recommended stagedimprovements leading to net zero carbonbuildings by 201617 if practicable
This target will also be implemented throughchanges to Building Standards though theremay be some differences between thedefinitions of zero carbon used in differentparts of the UK
The Sullivan Report is available online atwwwscotlandgovukResourceDoc2177360092637pdf and the Scottish GovernmentrsquosEnergy Efficiency Action Plan which sets outhow it will implement recommendations from the Sullivan Report can be found atwwwscotlandgovukTopicsBusiness-IndustryEnergyActionenergy-efficiency-policyActionPlan
Improving the sustainability of newhomes
Whichever assessment methods are used it islikely that the same design features will becrucial in reducing the environmental impactof new homes These could include
bull Good insulation and use of materials whichdo not lose large quantities of heat ndash thecommon measure of this is a material orproductrsquos u-value (see page 10)
bull Air tight build to further reduce heat loss ndashthe measure of this is the rate of air leakageper square metre This is normally measuredat an artificial pressure of 50Pa and isexpressed as Xm3hrm250Pa Wall roofand floor areas that are exposed to theexternal environment are included in thecalculation In England and Wales themaximum air leakage rate allowed byBuilding Regulations is 8m3hrm250PaHowever a rate of 5-6 can usually beachieved on a conventional construction and3-4 in timber or steel-framed structures
bull Use of heat recovery ventilation systems ndashsystems which lsquocapturersquo heat lost from thebuilding and recycle it to keep the homewarm For example air can be extractedfrom rooms that typically produce heat suchas a kitchen and before this air is expelled itcan be passed through a heat exchangerwhere the heat is transferred to incomingfresh air
bull Use of natural heating ndash orientating homes to make the most of sunlight andreduce the need for artificial heatingHowever developers do also need to beaware of the danger of summertimeoverheating increasing the need for artificialcooling
bull Rainwater harvesting
bull On-site energy generation (considered inmore detail on pages 32-36)
bull Installation of energy-efficient appliances ndashsuch as low energy lighting
bull Use of lsquogreen roofsrsquo such as a sedum roofndash sedum is a plant that can be grown onyour roof It provides natural insulation andcan alleviate some of the flooding fromheavy rainfall as most of the initial water issoaked up into the vegetation on the roof
10
Swan New Homes are developing one ofthe largest zero carbon projects in the ThamesGateway Cranes Court Basildon is the firsthousing development to have 100 of itselectric space and water heating provided bya combined heat and power (CHP) Glycerolunit (for an explanation of this technology see page 36) It is the largest Code Level 6 schemein the Thames Gateway
The key to this achievement is Glycerol thefuel used in the CHP plant which is a wasteproduct in the manufacture of bio-diesel andhas a defined emissions factor of 0057kgCO2kWh The CHP plant provides sufficientelectricity for the scheme over the course of ayear importing electricity from the NationalGrid at peak times and exporting excesselectricity to it at times of low demand Forevery unit of Glycerol burnt the plant willgenerate electricity and the lsquowastersquo heat isused for heating As a result of the selectedfuel and CHP plant efficiencies no additionalrenewable energy was required Thisinnovative approach avoids the installation ofsolar panels creating a more traditionalfaccedilade which was an important issue withplanners
The majority of the homes have beenorientated to make best use of naturalsunlight Heating requirements in the 28 newhouses and flats will be kept to an absoluteminimum with average wall and floor u-valuesof 015 Wm2K roof u-values of 013 Wm2Kwith triple-glazed windows at 08Wm2K and
U-values
The u-value is a measure of the heatloss per square metre of a buildingelement such as a wall door orwindow The lower the u-value thebetter To give an example a solid brickwall may have a u-value of 23Wm2Kan uninsulated cavity wall 16 but amodern filled cavity wall 03
Practiceexample
an exceedingly high air tightness standard(permeability of 3) All units are equipped witha whole-house ventilation system with heatrecovery which further reduces CO2 emissions
The scheme incorporates a rainwaterharvesting system in order that thedevelopment as a whole will not dischargemore rainwater than the previous developmenton the site All plots are to achieve an internalwater usage of 80 litres per person per day(considerably less than the requirements setout in Building Regulations of no more than125 litres per person day) thereby causing noincreased pressure on the local drainagenetwork and reducing the likelihood oflocalised flooding
Further features of Cranes Court includeindividual smart metering of all properties useof recycled materials for the road base triple-glazed wood-framed windows the installationof insulation blocks beneath the floor slabsand the use of the Stewart Milne Sigma IIpanellised wall system
With the site being evaluated as havingecological value owing to the number ofmature trees achieving Level 6 of the Code forSustainable Homes was particularly difficultThe design had to gain maximum points fromnon-ecology sections within the Code andconsequently encompasses the whole range ofambitions of the Code 100 of the availablecredits have been secured within the watersurface water run-off waste and managementcategories
More informationwwwswanorgukdevelopment_and_regenerationdesign_and_sustainability
Green methods of construction
A further way of improving the sustainabilityof a development which is rarely considered isthe use of more natural materials in theconstruction process Natural materials use lessenergy to produce than synthetic ones and sohave additional benefits to the environmentas well as reducing carbon emissions from theproperty itself
Green construction methods could include theuse of natural insulation made from materialssuch as hemp or sheeprsquos wool A mixture ofhemp and lime can also be used in theconstruction of walls floors and roofs
Oaklee Housing Association has built 11new properties at Drumalla House CarnloughCounty Antrim in Northern Ireland Theproperties were built with timber frame usinginsulated solid walling made from hemp andlime
Hemp is a renewable material grown andprocessed in the UK Once hemp fibre hasbeen separated the remaining straw or lsquoshivrsquois chopped and mixed with a wet mix of aspecial lime binder and cast into a lightweightsolid wall 300mm thick which resemblesconcrete The walls are then renderedexternally with lime and plastered internally Inthis case a permanent shuttering board ofmagnesium silicate was used Hemp provides arobust highly insulating but healthy non-toxic breathable material which locks up CO2in the fabric of the building
Practiceexample
The project was part of the Renewable Houseprogramme which consisted of 12 projectsthroughout the UK which demonstrate the useof a range of natural and renewable materialsincluding wood fibre hemp sheeprsquos woolstraw and hempcrete
More informationhttpneesonlineorgp=266
12
How to find out more
Code for Sustainable Homeswwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Passivhaus wwwpassivhausorguk
Zero Carbon wwwzerocarbonhuborg
Measuring water use in the homewwwthewatercalculatororguk
The use of natural materials inconstruction is considered in more detailin the CIH and Housing StudiesAssociation publication Housing theenvironment and our changing climate(Chapter 9) wwwcihorgthebookshop
A website devoted to natural buildingmethods iswwwgreenhomebuildingcom
A full account of the Renewable Houseprogramme written by Professor TomWoolley will be published later in 2012
are you aware of the current standards fornew build and do you comply
are you up-to-date with how they arechanging
why not consider aiming for zero carbonnow rather than waiting until itscompulsory
have you considered following Passivhausprinciples in new design
and have you considered alternativebuilding materials such as hempcrete
Practice checklistNew build
Whatrsquos the issue
Every landlord has large parts (perhaps thewhole) of their housing stock which are sub-standard in environmental terms Most facean enormous task to bring their stock up tohigh standards to provide comfort andaffordability for residents and to meet lowcarbon goals This chapter looks at thephysical works required from a non-technicalperspective The aim is to give the housingprofessional a broad understanding of what isinvolved It provides the background forsetting targets and programming the workcovered on pages 47-57
House types and their problems
Across a landlordrsquos typical stock there will beconsiderable differences in energy efficiencyand hence carbon emissions even beforeresident behaviour is factored into theassessment This is because some house typesare inherently more energy-efficient or havecharacteristics which will have lent themselvesto upgrading in earlier schemes The mostmodern stock built in the last ten years willalso have been built to higher energyefficiency standards and (for example) haveinsulated cavity walls Most traditionally-builtstock dating after the 1920s has cavity wallswhich may already have been insulatedTraditionally-built houses usually have loftssuitable for insulation (although may alsohave part-sloping ceilings)
Most social landlordsrsquo homes are physicallyjoined to their neighbours in a terrace as apair of lsquosemisrsquo or within a block These areinherently more efficient as heat loss betweenoccupied dwellings is lower By the sametoken more exposed detached or end-terraceproperties are likely to be less efficient
Particular problems are likely to occur inretrofitting both modern properties that are inblocks (especially tower blocks) and olderproperties (pre-1919) that have solid wallswhich lose heat quickly (see page 17) but canonly be insulated by losing room space orinstalling outside cladding Clearly houses ofarchitectural or historic interest also posespecial challenges (see example on page 14)
Tackling existing housing stock
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Launching
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
All new publicly funded housing in EnglandWales and Northern Ireland is required to meetat least Code Level 3 It is also mandatory for all new homes in England to be assessedagainst the Code for Sustainable Homes evenwhere there are no requirements to meet aminimum Code Level Although higher levels are achieved on a voluntary basis the Codehelps promote higher standards of sustainabledesign It is not used in Scotland
This practice brief is not intended as atechnical guide on how to design homes thatwill achieve a high sustainability rating TheDepartment for Communities and LocalGovernment (DCLG) have published technicalguidance to accompany the Code available fromtheir website at wwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Metropolitan Housing Partnership
Part of the Upton development in Northampton One Earth Homes were the firstsocial housing units in the UK to achieve CodeLevel 6 The three-bedroom houses weredesigned by ZEDfactory the architects behindthe iconic BEDzed development Originallydesigned to comply with EcoHomes Excellent(equivalent to Code Level 3 or 4) the decisionwas taken to upgrade to Code Level 6
Key features of the development include
bull floor featuring 300mm mineral woolinsulation which is covered with waxed slablaid on an acoustic mat and plywood
bull timber frame roof with 300mm mineralwool insulation including a layer of breathermembrane
bull 378m2 of solar tubes providing most of thehot water requirements (topped up bydistrict heating system when needed)
bull 20 modules of solar PV cells covering atotal of 20m2 of roof space and generatinga maximum of 36kW of electricity
bull a wind cowl on the roof which suppliesfresh air and extracts stale air a heatexchanger uses heat from extracted air topre-warm the fresh incoming air
bull high-performing vapour-permeable breathermembrane ensuring high levels of airtightness
bull rainwater from the roof is harvested (storedin a tank in the car park) and used for toiletflushing
bull a green (sedum) roof on the north elevation
The additional cost of lifting these homes fromCode Level 3 or 4 to Level 6 was pound26500 perunit
More informationwwwruralzedcomruralzed_completedhtml
Practiceexample
The Passivhaus Standard
The Passivhaus Standard was developed inGermany in the early 1990s and is now used inmany countries around the world Assessment of homes against the Standard is not mandatoryanywhere in the UK but some developers areapplying Passivhaus principles to help reduce theirpropertiesrsquo carbon emissions The standardrsquos focusis on reducing the need for energy to be used toheat and cool spaces Through the application ofPassivhaus principles it is possible that atraditional heating system may no longer berequired at all This is typically achieved through
bull good levels of insulation
bull internal heat sources and natural heating
bull excellent levels of airtightness
bull good ventilation with an efficient heatrecovery system
6
Cost of works
The actual cost of works can vary considerably depending on the nature of thedevelopment However in August 2011 DCLG estimated the typical cost of achievingcompliance with each level of the Code for Sustainable Homes
The figures here are only intended to be illustrative They are costs for an average dwellingon a small brownfield development based on DCLG figures They are expressed as theadditional cost of complying with the Code using a property that conforms to 2006Building Regulations as a baseline
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
pound3472 pound3714 pound4154 pound7418 pound22894 pound37424
Source DCLG Cost of Building to the Code for Sustainable Homes
More details and statistics for other types of development are available from DCLGwwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeupdatedcostreview
Source wwwpassivhausorguk
Indicative section through a Passivhaus
The Passivhaus Standard is sometimesconsidered an alternative to the Code forSustainable Homes However as it is focusedsolely on heating and cooling and does notassess wider environmental impact it isactually more comparable with SAP In practicethese standards do not have to be mutuallyexclusive and using Passivhaus designprinciples can contribute to developersachieving both a higher SAP rating and ahigher level of the Code
For more information visitwwwpassivhausorguk or wwwsphccouk(The Scottish Passivhaus Centre)
Fyne Homes have developed 14 newterraced homes for low cost home ownershipalongside the Firth of Clyde It was the firstdevelopment in Scotland to be accredited bythe German Passivhaus Institute and the firstaffordable development to be accredited in theUK
The overall heating requirement for the housesis 1600kWh per year approximately a tenth ofwhat an average traditional house uses Solarthermal panels were also installed to furtherreduce energy bills for hot water by over 50Finally a heat recovery system provides up to80 of the homesrsquo heating requirementsthrough warmed fresh air
The properties are all now occupied andanecdotal feedback from the occupierssuggests they have noticed significantly
reduced fuel bills in comparison with theirprevious homes
The development has received three ScottishDesign Awards and a RIBA award
More informationwwwfynehomesorguktigh_na_cladachhtml
Orbit Heart of England have completed theUKrsquos largest Passivhaus development atSampson Close in Coventry containing 23 newhomes
The scheme features a mechanical ventilationand heat recovery system and high performinginsulation made up of a high recycled contentThis gives u-values of less than 015Wm2K towalls floors and roofs (see page 10 for anexplanation of u-values)
Current building regulations state that housesmust be shown to leak no more air than10m3hrm250Pa The first three homes atSampson Close all achieved an air test of 06 or below
Large solar panels are also used to heat thedomestic hot water system and a district gasfired heating system provides space heatingwhen required
Orbit estimate that a two-bedroom flat in thedevelopment will cost less than pound2 per week toheat
More informationwwworbitinnovationorgukphHomeProject_showcase2lang=
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Zero Carbon Homes
It is the governmentrsquos aim that all new homesin England and Wales will be zero carbon by2016 This means that all new homes will haveto be energy self-sufficient
The target relates only to lsquoregulated energyrsquo ndashwhich is energy used in the home for thingslike heating and lighting ndash and notlsquounregulated energyrsquo ndash energy consumed by theoccupants of homes through activities such ascooking and by appliances such as televisionsand computers Even so it is an ambitioustarget one of the most stringent in the world
At present the definition of what constitutes a zero carbon home is being reviewedPreviously it was considered to mean homesthat met Level 6 of the Code for SustainableHomes However in practice this is not alwaysachievable in every instance principally because not all households are able to generate sufficient energy on-site to offset their energy use
The government has therefore tasked theZero Carbon Hub with developing a newdefinition which would be technicallyachievable and cost-effective for developers
Their suggested definition is that developersshould be able to achieve a 70 reduction inregulated energy use (from what is allowedby 2006 Building Regulations) through acombination of energy-efficient building andthe use of energy generated from a low orzero carbon (LZC) source such as from anon-site solar panel The remaining reductionin energy use could be made up throughlsquoallowable solutionsrsquo a form of carbonoffsetting where the developer invests inother carbon-saving projects
The government has not defined exactly whatcould constitute an allowable solution butfor example it may include the retro-fittingof other nearby homes or buildings orinvesting in low-carbon street lighting for the area
8
Source wwwzerocarbonhuborg
The zero carbon hierarchy
Allowablesolutions
Zero carbonMeasures allowing
for emissionreductions that aredifficult to achieve
on site
On-site LZC energyand connected heat
Energy efficiency
70 carboncomplianceOn-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
Good buildingfabric performance
+On-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
This definition and in particular what willconstitute allowable solutions will be refinedand will become part of Building Regulationsin England and Wales from 2016 This willconsiderably increase the requirements around controlling carbon emissions from new homes
In Scotland there are separate targets forestablishing zero carbon homes These arebased on the Sullivan Report which waspublished in 2007 and recommended stagedimprovements leading to net zero carbonbuildings by 201617 if practicable
This target will also be implemented throughchanges to Building Standards though theremay be some differences between thedefinitions of zero carbon used in differentparts of the UK
The Sullivan Report is available online atwwwscotlandgovukResourceDoc2177360092637pdf and the Scottish GovernmentrsquosEnergy Efficiency Action Plan which sets outhow it will implement recommendations from the Sullivan Report can be found atwwwscotlandgovukTopicsBusiness-IndustryEnergyActionenergy-efficiency-policyActionPlan
Improving the sustainability of newhomes
Whichever assessment methods are used it islikely that the same design features will becrucial in reducing the environmental impactof new homes These could include
bull Good insulation and use of materials whichdo not lose large quantities of heat ndash thecommon measure of this is a material orproductrsquos u-value (see page 10)
bull Air tight build to further reduce heat loss ndashthe measure of this is the rate of air leakageper square metre This is normally measuredat an artificial pressure of 50Pa and isexpressed as Xm3hrm250Pa Wall roofand floor areas that are exposed to theexternal environment are included in thecalculation In England and Wales themaximum air leakage rate allowed byBuilding Regulations is 8m3hrm250PaHowever a rate of 5-6 can usually beachieved on a conventional construction and3-4 in timber or steel-framed structures
bull Use of heat recovery ventilation systems ndashsystems which lsquocapturersquo heat lost from thebuilding and recycle it to keep the homewarm For example air can be extractedfrom rooms that typically produce heat suchas a kitchen and before this air is expelled itcan be passed through a heat exchangerwhere the heat is transferred to incomingfresh air
bull Use of natural heating ndash orientating homes to make the most of sunlight andreduce the need for artificial heatingHowever developers do also need to beaware of the danger of summertimeoverheating increasing the need for artificialcooling
bull Rainwater harvesting
bull On-site energy generation (considered inmore detail on pages 32-36)
bull Installation of energy-efficient appliances ndashsuch as low energy lighting
bull Use of lsquogreen roofsrsquo such as a sedum roofndash sedum is a plant that can be grown onyour roof It provides natural insulation andcan alleviate some of the flooding fromheavy rainfall as most of the initial water issoaked up into the vegetation on the roof
10
Swan New Homes are developing one ofthe largest zero carbon projects in the ThamesGateway Cranes Court Basildon is the firsthousing development to have 100 of itselectric space and water heating provided bya combined heat and power (CHP) Glycerolunit (for an explanation of this technology see page 36) It is the largest Code Level 6 schemein the Thames Gateway
The key to this achievement is Glycerol thefuel used in the CHP plant which is a wasteproduct in the manufacture of bio-diesel andhas a defined emissions factor of 0057kgCO2kWh The CHP plant provides sufficientelectricity for the scheme over the course of ayear importing electricity from the NationalGrid at peak times and exporting excesselectricity to it at times of low demand Forevery unit of Glycerol burnt the plant willgenerate electricity and the lsquowastersquo heat isused for heating As a result of the selectedfuel and CHP plant efficiencies no additionalrenewable energy was required Thisinnovative approach avoids the installation ofsolar panels creating a more traditionalfaccedilade which was an important issue withplanners
The majority of the homes have beenorientated to make best use of naturalsunlight Heating requirements in the 28 newhouses and flats will be kept to an absoluteminimum with average wall and floor u-valuesof 015 Wm2K roof u-values of 013 Wm2Kwith triple-glazed windows at 08Wm2K and
U-values
The u-value is a measure of the heatloss per square metre of a buildingelement such as a wall door orwindow The lower the u-value thebetter To give an example a solid brickwall may have a u-value of 23Wm2Kan uninsulated cavity wall 16 but amodern filled cavity wall 03
Practiceexample
an exceedingly high air tightness standard(permeability of 3) All units are equipped witha whole-house ventilation system with heatrecovery which further reduces CO2 emissions
The scheme incorporates a rainwaterharvesting system in order that thedevelopment as a whole will not dischargemore rainwater than the previous developmenton the site All plots are to achieve an internalwater usage of 80 litres per person per day(considerably less than the requirements setout in Building Regulations of no more than125 litres per person day) thereby causing noincreased pressure on the local drainagenetwork and reducing the likelihood oflocalised flooding
Further features of Cranes Court includeindividual smart metering of all properties useof recycled materials for the road base triple-glazed wood-framed windows the installationof insulation blocks beneath the floor slabsand the use of the Stewart Milne Sigma IIpanellised wall system
With the site being evaluated as havingecological value owing to the number ofmature trees achieving Level 6 of the Code forSustainable Homes was particularly difficultThe design had to gain maximum points fromnon-ecology sections within the Code andconsequently encompasses the whole range ofambitions of the Code 100 of the availablecredits have been secured within the watersurface water run-off waste and managementcategories
More informationwwwswanorgukdevelopment_and_regenerationdesign_and_sustainability
Green methods of construction
A further way of improving the sustainabilityof a development which is rarely considered isthe use of more natural materials in theconstruction process Natural materials use lessenergy to produce than synthetic ones and sohave additional benefits to the environmentas well as reducing carbon emissions from theproperty itself
Green construction methods could include theuse of natural insulation made from materialssuch as hemp or sheeprsquos wool A mixture ofhemp and lime can also be used in theconstruction of walls floors and roofs
Oaklee Housing Association has built 11new properties at Drumalla House CarnloughCounty Antrim in Northern Ireland Theproperties were built with timber frame usinginsulated solid walling made from hemp andlime
Hemp is a renewable material grown andprocessed in the UK Once hemp fibre hasbeen separated the remaining straw or lsquoshivrsquois chopped and mixed with a wet mix of aspecial lime binder and cast into a lightweightsolid wall 300mm thick which resemblesconcrete The walls are then renderedexternally with lime and plastered internally Inthis case a permanent shuttering board ofmagnesium silicate was used Hemp provides arobust highly insulating but healthy non-toxic breathable material which locks up CO2in the fabric of the building
Practiceexample
The project was part of the Renewable Houseprogramme which consisted of 12 projectsthroughout the UK which demonstrate the useof a range of natural and renewable materialsincluding wood fibre hemp sheeprsquos woolstraw and hempcrete
More informationhttpneesonlineorgp=266
12
How to find out more
Code for Sustainable Homeswwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Passivhaus wwwpassivhausorguk
Zero Carbon wwwzerocarbonhuborg
Measuring water use in the homewwwthewatercalculatororguk
The use of natural materials inconstruction is considered in more detailin the CIH and Housing StudiesAssociation publication Housing theenvironment and our changing climate(Chapter 9) wwwcihorgthebookshop
A website devoted to natural buildingmethods iswwwgreenhomebuildingcom
A full account of the Renewable Houseprogramme written by Professor TomWoolley will be published later in 2012
are you aware of the current standards fornew build and do you comply
are you up-to-date with how they arechanging
why not consider aiming for zero carbonnow rather than waiting until itscompulsory
have you considered following Passivhausprinciples in new design
and have you considered alternativebuilding materials such as hempcrete
Practice checklistNew build
Whatrsquos the issue
Every landlord has large parts (perhaps thewhole) of their housing stock which are sub-standard in environmental terms Most facean enormous task to bring their stock up tohigh standards to provide comfort andaffordability for residents and to meet lowcarbon goals This chapter looks at thephysical works required from a non-technicalperspective The aim is to give the housingprofessional a broad understanding of what isinvolved It provides the background forsetting targets and programming the workcovered on pages 47-57
House types and their problems
Across a landlordrsquos typical stock there will beconsiderable differences in energy efficiencyand hence carbon emissions even beforeresident behaviour is factored into theassessment This is because some house typesare inherently more energy-efficient or havecharacteristics which will have lent themselvesto upgrading in earlier schemes The mostmodern stock built in the last ten years willalso have been built to higher energyefficiency standards and (for example) haveinsulated cavity walls Most traditionally-builtstock dating after the 1920s has cavity wallswhich may already have been insulatedTraditionally-built houses usually have loftssuitable for insulation (although may alsohave part-sloping ceilings)
Most social landlordsrsquo homes are physicallyjoined to their neighbours in a terrace as apair of lsquosemisrsquo or within a block These areinherently more efficient as heat loss betweenoccupied dwellings is lower By the sametoken more exposed detached or end-terraceproperties are likely to be less efficient
Particular problems are likely to occur inretrofitting both modern properties that are inblocks (especially tower blocks) and olderproperties (pre-1919) that have solid wallswhich lose heat quickly (see page 17) but canonly be insulated by losing room space orinstalling outside cladding Clearly houses ofarchitectural or historic interest also posespecial challenges (see example on page 14)
Tackling existing housing stock
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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The Passivhaus Standard
The Passivhaus Standard was developed inGermany in the early 1990s and is now used inmany countries around the world Assessment of homes against the Standard is not mandatoryanywhere in the UK but some developers areapplying Passivhaus principles to help reduce theirpropertiesrsquo carbon emissions The standardrsquos focusis on reducing the need for energy to be used toheat and cool spaces Through the application ofPassivhaus principles it is possible that atraditional heating system may no longer berequired at all This is typically achieved through
bull good levels of insulation
bull internal heat sources and natural heating
bull excellent levels of airtightness
bull good ventilation with an efficient heatrecovery system
6
Cost of works
The actual cost of works can vary considerably depending on the nature of thedevelopment However in August 2011 DCLG estimated the typical cost of achievingcompliance with each level of the Code for Sustainable Homes
The figures here are only intended to be illustrative They are costs for an average dwellingon a small brownfield development based on DCLG figures They are expressed as theadditional cost of complying with the Code using a property that conforms to 2006Building Regulations as a baseline
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
pound3472 pound3714 pound4154 pound7418 pound22894 pound37424
Source DCLG Cost of Building to the Code for Sustainable Homes
More details and statistics for other types of development are available from DCLGwwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeupdatedcostreview
Source wwwpassivhausorguk
Indicative section through a Passivhaus
The Passivhaus Standard is sometimesconsidered an alternative to the Code forSustainable Homes However as it is focusedsolely on heating and cooling and does notassess wider environmental impact it isactually more comparable with SAP In practicethese standards do not have to be mutuallyexclusive and using Passivhaus designprinciples can contribute to developersachieving both a higher SAP rating and ahigher level of the Code
For more information visitwwwpassivhausorguk or wwwsphccouk(The Scottish Passivhaus Centre)
Fyne Homes have developed 14 newterraced homes for low cost home ownershipalongside the Firth of Clyde It was the firstdevelopment in Scotland to be accredited bythe German Passivhaus Institute and the firstaffordable development to be accredited in theUK
The overall heating requirement for the housesis 1600kWh per year approximately a tenth ofwhat an average traditional house uses Solarthermal panels were also installed to furtherreduce energy bills for hot water by over 50Finally a heat recovery system provides up to80 of the homesrsquo heating requirementsthrough warmed fresh air
The properties are all now occupied andanecdotal feedback from the occupierssuggests they have noticed significantly
reduced fuel bills in comparison with theirprevious homes
The development has received three ScottishDesign Awards and a RIBA award
More informationwwwfynehomesorguktigh_na_cladachhtml
Orbit Heart of England have completed theUKrsquos largest Passivhaus development atSampson Close in Coventry containing 23 newhomes
The scheme features a mechanical ventilationand heat recovery system and high performinginsulation made up of a high recycled contentThis gives u-values of less than 015Wm2K towalls floors and roofs (see page 10 for anexplanation of u-values)
Current building regulations state that housesmust be shown to leak no more air than10m3hrm250Pa The first three homes atSampson Close all achieved an air test of 06 or below
Large solar panels are also used to heat thedomestic hot water system and a district gasfired heating system provides space heatingwhen required
Orbit estimate that a two-bedroom flat in thedevelopment will cost less than pound2 per week toheat
More informationwwworbitinnovationorgukphHomeProject_showcase2lang=
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Zero Carbon Homes
It is the governmentrsquos aim that all new homesin England and Wales will be zero carbon by2016 This means that all new homes will haveto be energy self-sufficient
The target relates only to lsquoregulated energyrsquo ndashwhich is energy used in the home for thingslike heating and lighting ndash and notlsquounregulated energyrsquo ndash energy consumed by theoccupants of homes through activities such ascooking and by appliances such as televisionsand computers Even so it is an ambitioustarget one of the most stringent in the world
At present the definition of what constitutes a zero carbon home is being reviewedPreviously it was considered to mean homesthat met Level 6 of the Code for SustainableHomes However in practice this is not alwaysachievable in every instance principally because not all households are able to generate sufficient energy on-site to offset their energy use
The government has therefore tasked theZero Carbon Hub with developing a newdefinition which would be technicallyachievable and cost-effective for developers
Their suggested definition is that developersshould be able to achieve a 70 reduction inregulated energy use (from what is allowedby 2006 Building Regulations) through acombination of energy-efficient building andthe use of energy generated from a low orzero carbon (LZC) source such as from anon-site solar panel The remaining reductionin energy use could be made up throughlsquoallowable solutionsrsquo a form of carbonoffsetting where the developer invests inother carbon-saving projects
The government has not defined exactly whatcould constitute an allowable solution butfor example it may include the retro-fittingof other nearby homes or buildings orinvesting in low-carbon street lighting for the area
8
Source wwwzerocarbonhuborg
The zero carbon hierarchy
Allowablesolutions
Zero carbonMeasures allowing
for emissionreductions that aredifficult to achieve
on site
On-site LZC energyand connected heat
Energy efficiency
70 carboncomplianceOn-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
Good buildingfabric performance
+On-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
This definition and in particular what willconstitute allowable solutions will be refinedand will become part of Building Regulationsin England and Wales from 2016 This willconsiderably increase the requirements around controlling carbon emissions from new homes
In Scotland there are separate targets forestablishing zero carbon homes These arebased on the Sullivan Report which waspublished in 2007 and recommended stagedimprovements leading to net zero carbonbuildings by 201617 if practicable
This target will also be implemented throughchanges to Building Standards though theremay be some differences between thedefinitions of zero carbon used in differentparts of the UK
The Sullivan Report is available online atwwwscotlandgovukResourceDoc2177360092637pdf and the Scottish GovernmentrsquosEnergy Efficiency Action Plan which sets outhow it will implement recommendations from the Sullivan Report can be found atwwwscotlandgovukTopicsBusiness-IndustryEnergyActionenergy-efficiency-policyActionPlan
Improving the sustainability of newhomes
Whichever assessment methods are used it islikely that the same design features will becrucial in reducing the environmental impactof new homes These could include
bull Good insulation and use of materials whichdo not lose large quantities of heat ndash thecommon measure of this is a material orproductrsquos u-value (see page 10)
bull Air tight build to further reduce heat loss ndashthe measure of this is the rate of air leakageper square metre This is normally measuredat an artificial pressure of 50Pa and isexpressed as Xm3hrm250Pa Wall roofand floor areas that are exposed to theexternal environment are included in thecalculation In England and Wales themaximum air leakage rate allowed byBuilding Regulations is 8m3hrm250PaHowever a rate of 5-6 can usually beachieved on a conventional construction and3-4 in timber or steel-framed structures
bull Use of heat recovery ventilation systems ndashsystems which lsquocapturersquo heat lost from thebuilding and recycle it to keep the homewarm For example air can be extractedfrom rooms that typically produce heat suchas a kitchen and before this air is expelled itcan be passed through a heat exchangerwhere the heat is transferred to incomingfresh air
bull Use of natural heating ndash orientating homes to make the most of sunlight andreduce the need for artificial heatingHowever developers do also need to beaware of the danger of summertimeoverheating increasing the need for artificialcooling
bull Rainwater harvesting
bull On-site energy generation (considered inmore detail on pages 32-36)
bull Installation of energy-efficient appliances ndashsuch as low energy lighting
bull Use of lsquogreen roofsrsquo such as a sedum roofndash sedum is a plant that can be grown onyour roof It provides natural insulation andcan alleviate some of the flooding fromheavy rainfall as most of the initial water issoaked up into the vegetation on the roof
10
Swan New Homes are developing one ofthe largest zero carbon projects in the ThamesGateway Cranes Court Basildon is the firsthousing development to have 100 of itselectric space and water heating provided bya combined heat and power (CHP) Glycerolunit (for an explanation of this technology see page 36) It is the largest Code Level 6 schemein the Thames Gateway
The key to this achievement is Glycerol thefuel used in the CHP plant which is a wasteproduct in the manufacture of bio-diesel andhas a defined emissions factor of 0057kgCO2kWh The CHP plant provides sufficientelectricity for the scheme over the course of ayear importing electricity from the NationalGrid at peak times and exporting excesselectricity to it at times of low demand Forevery unit of Glycerol burnt the plant willgenerate electricity and the lsquowastersquo heat isused for heating As a result of the selectedfuel and CHP plant efficiencies no additionalrenewable energy was required Thisinnovative approach avoids the installation ofsolar panels creating a more traditionalfaccedilade which was an important issue withplanners
The majority of the homes have beenorientated to make best use of naturalsunlight Heating requirements in the 28 newhouses and flats will be kept to an absoluteminimum with average wall and floor u-valuesof 015 Wm2K roof u-values of 013 Wm2Kwith triple-glazed windows at 08Wm2K and
U-values
The u-value is a measure of the heatloss per square metre of a buildingelement such as a wall door orwindow The lower the u-value thebetter To give an example a solid brickwall may have a u-value of 23Wm2Kan uninsulated cavity wall 16 but amodern filled cavity wall 03
Practiceexample
an exceedingly high air tightness standard(permeability of 3) All units are equipped witha whole-house ventilation system with heatrecovery which further reduces CO2 emissions
The scheme incorporates a rainwaterharvesting system in order that thedevelopment as a whole will not dischargemore rainwater than the previous developmenton the site All plots are to achieve an internalwater usage of 80 litres per person per day(considerably less than the requirements setout in Building Regulations of no more than125 litres per person day) thereby causing noincreased pressure on the local drainagenetwork and reducing the likelihood oflocalised flooding
Further features of Cranes Court includeindividual smart metering of all properties useof recycled materials for the road base triple-glazed wood-framed windows the installationof insulation blocks beneath the floor slabsand the use of the Stewart Milne Sigma IIpanellised wall system
With the site being evaluated as havingecological value owing to the number ofmature trees achieving Level 6 of the Code forSustainable Homes was particularly difficultThe design had to gain maximum points fromnon-ecology sections within the Code andconsequently encompasses the whole range ofambitions of the Code 100 of the availablecredits have been secured within the watersurface water run-off waste and managementcategories
More informationwwwswanorgukdevelopment_and_regenerationdesign_and_sustainability
Green methods of construction
A further way of improving the sustainabilityof a development which is rarely considered isthe use of more natural materials in theconstruction process Natural materials use lessenergy to produce than synthetic ones and sohave additional benefits to the environmentas well as reducing carbon emissions from theproperty itself
Green construction methods could include theuse of natural insulation made from materialssuch as hemp or sheeprsquos wool A mixture ofhemp and lime can also be used in theconstruction of walls floors and roofs
Oaklee Housing Association has built 11new properties at Drumalla House CarnloughCounty Antrim in Northern Ireland Theproperties were built with timber frame usinginsulated solid walling made from hemp andlime
Hemp is a renewable material grown andprocessed in the UK Once hemp fibre hasbeen separated the remaining straw or lsquoshivrsquois chopped and mixed with a wet mix of aspecial lime binder and cast into a lightweightsolid wall 300mm thick which resemblesconcrete The walls are then renderedexternally with lime and plastered internally Inthis case a permanent shuttering board ofmagnesium silicate was used Hemp provides arobust highly insulating but healthy non-toxic breathable material which locks up CO2in the fabric of the building
Practiceexample
The project was part of the Renewable Houseprogramme which consisted of 12 projectsthroughout the UK which demonstrate the useof a range of natural and renewable materialsincluding wood fibre hemp sheeprsquos woolstraw and hempcrete
More informationhttpneesonlineorgp=266
12
How to find out more
Code for Sustainable Homeswwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Passivhaus wwwpassivhausorguk
Zero Carbon wwwzerocarbonhuborg
Measuring water use in the homewwwthewatercalculatororguk
The use of natural materials inconstruction is considered in more detailin the CIH and Housing StudiesAssociation publication Housing theenvironment and our changing climate(Chapter 9) wwwcihorgthebookshop
A website devoted to natural buildingmethods iswwwgreenhomebuildingcom
A full account of the Renewable Houseprogramme written by Professor TomWoolley will be published later in 2012
are you aware of the current standards fornew build and do you comply
are you up-to-date with how they arechanging
why not consider aiming for zero carbonnow rather than waiting until itscompulsory
have you considered following Passivhausprinciples in new design
and have you considered alternativebuilding materials such as hempcrete
Practice checklistNew build
Whatrsquos the issue
Every landlord has large parts (perhaps thewhole) of their housing stock which are sub-standard in environmental terms Most facean enormous task to bring their stock up tohigh standards to provide comfort andaffordability for residents and to meet lowcarbon goals This chapter looks at thephysical works required from a non-technicalperspective The aim is to give the housingprofessional a broad understanding of what isinvolved It provides the background forsetting targets and programming the workcovered on pages 47-57
House types and their problems
Across a landlordrsquos typical stock there will beconsiderable differences in energy efficiencyand hence carbon emissions even beforeresident behaviour is factored into theassessment This is because some house typesare inherently more energy-efficient or havecharacteristics which will have lent themselvesto upgrading in earlier schemes The mostmodern stock built in the last ten years willalso have been built to higher energyefficiency standards and (for example) haveinsulated cavity walls Most traditionally-builtstock dating after the 1920s has cavity wallswhich may already have been insulatedTraditionally-built houses usually have loftssuitable for insulation (although may alsohave part-sloping ceilings)
Most social landlordsrsquo homes are physicallyjoined to their neighbours in a terrace as apair of lsquosemisrsquo or within a block These areinherently more efficient as heat loss betweenoccupied dwellings is lower By the sametoken more exposed detached or end-terraceproperties are likely to be less efficient
Particular problems are likely to occur inretrofitting both modern properties that are inblocks (especially tower blocks) and olderproperties (pre-1919) that have solid wallswhich lose heat quickly (see page 17) but canonly be insulated by losing room space orinstalling outside cladding Clearly houses ofarchitectural or historic interest also posespecial challenges (see example on page 14)
Tackling existing housing stock
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
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Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
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swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
The Passivhaus Standard is sometimesconsidered an alternative to the Code forSustainable Homes However as it is focusedsolely on heating and cooling and does notassess wider environmental impact it isactually more comparable with SAP In practicethese standards do not have to be mutuallyexclusive and using Passivhaus designprinciples can contribute to developersachieving both a higher SAP rating and ahigher level of the Code
For more information visitwwwpassivhausorguk or wwwsphccouk(The Scottish Passivhaus Centre)
Fyne Homes have developed 14 newterraced homes for low cost home ownershipalongside the Firth of Clyde It was the firstdevelopment in Scotland to be accredited bythe German Passivhaus Institute and the firstaffordable development to be accredited in theUK
The overall heating requirement for the housesis 1600kWh per year approximately a tenth ofwhat an average traditional house uses Solarthermal panels were also installed to furtherreduce energy bills for hot water by over 50Finally a heat recovery system provides up to80 of the homesrsquo heating requirementsthrough warmed fresh air
The properties are all now occupied andanecdotal feedback from the occupierssuggests they have noticed significantly
reduced fuel bills in comparison with theirprevious homes
The development has received three ScottishDesign Awards and a RIBA award
More informationwwwfynehomesorguktigh_na_cladachhtml
Orbit Heart of England have completed theUKrsquos largest Passivhaus development atSampson Close in Coventry containing 23 newhomes
The scheme features a mechanical ventilationand heat recovery system and high performinginsulation made up of a high recycled contentThis gives u-values of less than 015Wm2K towalls floors and roofs (see page 10 for anexplanation of u-values)
Current building regulations state that housesmust be shown to leak no more air than10m3hrm250Pa The first three homes atSampson Close all achieved an air test of 06 or below
Large solar panels are also used to heat thedomestic hot water system and a district gasfired heating system provides space heatingwhen required
Orbit estimate that a two-bedroom flat in thedevelopment will cost less than pound2 per week toheat
More informationwwworbitinnovationorgukphHomeProject_showcase2lang=
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Zero Carbon Homes
It is the governmentrsquos aim that all new homesin England and Wales will be zero carbon by2016 This means that all new homes will haveto be energy self-sufficient
The target relates only to lsquoregulated energyrsquo ndashwhich is energy used in the home for thingslike heating and lighting ndash and notlsquounregulated energyrsquo ndash energy consumed by theoccupants of homes through activities such ascooking and by appliances such as televisionsand computers Even so it is an ambitioustarget one of the most stringent in the world
At present the definition of what constitutes a zero carbon home is being reviewedPreviously it was considered to mean homesthat met Level 6 of the Code for SustainableHomes However in practice this is not alwaysachievable in every instance principally because not all households are able to generate sufficient energy on-site to offset their energy use
The government has therefore tasked theZero Carbon Hub with developing a newdefinition which would be technicallyachievable and cost-effective for developers
Their suggested definition is that developersshould be able to achieve a 70 reduction inregulated energy use (from what is allowedby 2006 Building Regulations) through acombination of energy-efficient building andthe use of energy generated from a low orzero carbon (LZC) source such as from anon-site solar panel The remaining reductionin energy use could be made up throughlsquoallowable solutionsrsquo a form of carbonoffsetting where the developer invests inother carbon-saving projects
The government has not defined exactly whatcould constitute an allowable solution butfor example it may include the retro-fittingof other nearby homes or buildings orinvesting in low-carbon street lighting for the area
8
Source wwwzerocarbonhuborg
The zero carbon hierarchy
Allowablesolutions
Zero carbonMeasures allowing
for emissionreductions that aredifficult to achieve
on site
On-site LZC energyand connected heat
Energy efficiency
70 carboncomplianceOn-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
Good buildingfabric performance
+On-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
This definition and in particular what willconstitute allowable solutions will be refinedand will become part of Building Regulationsin England and Wales from 2016 This willconsiderably increase the requirements around controlling carbon emissions from new homes
In Scotland there are separate targets forestablishing zero carbon homes These arebased on the Sullivan Report which waspublished in 2007 and recommended stagedimprovements leading to net zero carbonbuildings by 201617 if practicable
This target will also be implemented throughchanges to Building Standards though theremay be some differences between thedefinitions of zero carbon used in differentparts of the UK
The Sullivan Report is available online atwwwscotlandgovukResourceDoc2177360092637pdf and the Scottish GovernmentrsquosEnergy Efficiency Action Plan which sets outhow it will implement recommendations from the Sullivan Report can be found atwwwscotlandgovukTopicsBusiness-IndustryEnergyActionenergy-efficiency-policyActionPlan
Improving the sustainability of newhomes
Whichever assessment methods are used it islikely that the same design features will becrucial in reducing the environmental impactof new homes These could include
bull Good insulation and use of materials whichdo not lose large quantities of heat ndash thecommon measure of this is a material orproductrsquos u-value (see page 10)
bull Air tight build to further reduce heat loss ndashthe measure of this is the rate of air leakageper square metre This is normally measuredat an artificial pressure of 50Pa and isexpressed as Xm3hrm250Pa Wall roofand floor areas that are exposed to theexternal environment are included in thecalculation In England and Wales themaximum air leakage rate allowed byBuilding Regulations is 8m3hrm250PaHowever a rate of 5-6 can usually beachieved on a conventional construction and3-4 in timber or steel-framed structures
bull Use of heat recovery ventilation systems ndashsystems which lsquocapturersquo heat lost from thebuilding and recycle it to keep the homewarm For example air can be extractedfrom rooms that typically produce heat suchas a kitchen and before this air is expelled itcan be passed through a heat exchangerwhere the heat is transferred to incomingfresh air
bull Use of natural heating ndash orientating homes to make the most of sunlight andreduce the need for artificial heatingHowever developers do also need to beaware of the danger of summertimeoverheating increasing the need for artificialcooling
bull Rainwater harvesting
bull On-site energy generation (considered inmore detail on pages 32-36)
bull Installation of energy-efficient appliances ndashsuch as low energy lighting
bull Use of lsquogreen roofsrsquo such as a sedum roofndash sedum is a plant that can be grown onyour roof It provides natural insulation andcan alleviate some of the flooding fromheavy rainfall as most of the initial water issoaked up into the vegetation on the roof
10
Swan New Homes are developing one ofthe largest zero carbon projects in the ThamesGateway Cranes Court Basildon is the firsthousing development to have 100 of itselectric space and water heating provided bya combined heat and power (CHP) Glycerolunit (for an explanation of this technology see page 36) It is the largest Code Level 6 schemein the Thames Gateway
The key to this achievement is Glycerol thefuel used in the CHP plant which is a wasteproduct in the manufacture of bio-diesel andhas a defined emissions factor of 0057kgCO2kWh The CHP plant provides sufficientelectricity for the scheme over the course of ayear importing electricity from the NationalGrid at peak times and exporting excesselectricity to it at times of low demand Forevery unit of Glycerol burnt the plant willgenerate electricity and the lsquowastersquo heat isused for heating As a result of the selectedfuel and CHP plant efficiencies no additionalrenewable energy was required Thisinnovative approach avoids the installation ofsolar panels creating a more traditionalfaccedilade which was an important issue withplanners
The majority of the homes have beenorientated to make best use of naturalsunlight Heating requirements in the 28 newhouses and flats will be kept to an absoluteminimum with average wall and floor u-valuesof 015 Wm2K roof u-values of 013 Wm2Kwith triple-glazed windows at 08Wm2K and
U-values
The u-value is a measure of the heatloss per square metre of a buildingelement such as a wall door orwindow The lower the u-value thebetter To give an example a solid brickwall may have a u-value of 23Wm2Kan uninsulated cavity wall 16 but amodern filled cavity wall 03
Practiceexample
an exceedingly high air tightness standard(permeability of 3) All units are equipped witha whole-house ventilation system with heatrecovery which further reduces CO2 emissions
The scheme incorporates a rainwaterharvesting system in order that thedevelopment as a whole will not dischargemore rainwater than the previous developmenton the site All plots are to achieve an internalwater usage of 80 litres per person per day(considerably less than the requirements setout in Building Regulations of no more than125 litres per person day) thereby causing noincreased pressure on the local drainagenetwork and reducing the likelihood oflocalised flooding
Further features of Cranes Court includeindividual smart metering of all properties useof recycled materials for the road base triple-glazed wood-framed windows the installationof insulation blocks beneath the floor slabsand the use of the Stewart Milne Sigma IIpanellised wall system
With the site being evaluated as havingecological value owing to the number ofmature trees achieving Level 6 of the Code forSustainable Homes was particularly difficultThe design had to gain maximum points fromnon-ecology sections within the Code andconsequently encompasses the whole range ofambitions of the Code 100 of the availablecredits have been secured within the watersurface water run-off waste and managementcategories
More informationwwwswanorgukdevelopment_and_regenerationdesign_and_sustainability
Green methods of construction
A further way of improving the sustainabilityof a development which is rarely considered isthe use of more natural materials in theconstruction process Natural materials use lessenergy to produce than synthetic ones and sohave additional benefits to the environmentas well as reducing carbon emissions from theproperty itself
Green construction methods could include theuse of natural insulation made from materialssuch as hemp or sheeprsquos wool A mixture ofhemp and lime can also be used in theconstruction of walls floors and roofs
Oaklee Housing Association has built 11new properties at Drumalla House CarnloughCounty Antrim in Northern Ireland Theproperties were built with timber frame usinginsulated solid walling made from hemp andlime
Hemp is a renewable material grown andprocessed in the UK Once hemp fibre hasbeen separated the remaining straw or lsquoshivrsquois chopped and mixed with a wet mix of aspecial lime binder and cast into a lightweightsolid wall 300mm thick which resemblesconcrete The walls are then renderedexternally with lime and plastered internally Inthis case a permanent shuttering board ofmagnesium silicate was used Hemp provides arobust highly insulating but healthy non-toxic breathable material which locks up CO2in the fabric of the building
Practiceexample
The project was part of the Renewable Houseprogramme which consisted of 12 projectsthroughout the UK which demonstrate the useof a range of natural and renewable materialsincluding wood fibre hemp sheeprsquos woolstraw and hempcrete
More informationhttpneesonlineorgp=266
12
How to find out more
Code for Sustainable Homeswwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Passivhaus wwwpassivhausorguk
Zero Carbon wwwzerocarbonhuborg
Measuring water use in the homewwwthewatercalculatororguk
The use of natural materials inconstruction is considered in more detailin the CIH and Housing StudiesAssociation publication Housing theenvironment and our changing climate(Chapter 9) wwwcihorgthebookshop
A website devoted to natural buildingmethods iswwwgreenhomebuildingcom
A full account of the Renewable Houseprogramme written by Professor TomWoolley will be published later in 2012
are you aware of the current standards fornew build and do you comply
are you up-to-date with how they arechanging
why not consider aiming for zero carbonnow rather than waiting until itscompulsory
have you considered following Passivhausprinciples in new design
and have you considered alternativebuilding materials such as hempcrete
Practice checklistNew build
Whatrsquos the issue
Every landlord has large parts (perhaps thewhole) of their housing stock which are sub-standard in environmental terms Most facean enormous task to bring their stock up tohigh standards to provide comfort andaffordability for residents and to meet lowcarbon goals This chapter looks at thephysical works required from a non-technicalperspective The aim is to give the housingprofessional a broad understanding of what isinvolved It provides the background forsetting targets and programming the workcovered on pages 47-57
House types and their problems
Across a landlordrsquos typical stock there will beconsiderable differences in energy efficiencyand hence carbon emissions even beforeresident behaviour is factored into theassessment This is because some house typesare inherently more energy-efficient or havecharacteristics which will have lent themselvesto upgrading in earlier schemes The mostmodern stock built in the last ten years willalso have been built to higher energyefficiency standards and (for example) haveinsulated cavity walls Most traditionally-builtstock dating after the 1920s has cavity wallswhich may already have been insulatedTraditionally-built houses usually have loftssuitable for insulation (although may alsohave part-sloping ceilings)
Most social landlordsrsquo homes are physicallyjoined to their neighbours in a terrace as apair of lsquosemisrsquo or within a block These areinherently more efficient as heat loss betweenoccupied dwellings is lower By the sametoken more exposed detached or end-terraceproperties are likely to be less efficient
Particular problems are likely to occur inretrofitting both modern properties that are inblocks (especially tower blocks) and olderproperties (pre-1919) that have solid wallswhich lose heat quickly (see page 17) but canonly be insulated by losing room space orinstalling outside cladding Clearly houses ofarchitectural or historic interest also posespecial challenges (see example on page 14)
Tackling existing housing stock
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
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swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Zero Carbon Homes
It is the governmentrsquos aim that all new homesin England and Wales will be zero carbon by2016 This means that all new homes will haveto be energy self-sufficient
The target relates only to lsquoregulated energyrsquo ndashwhich is energy used in the home for thingslike heating and lighting ndash and notlsquounregulated energyrsquo ndash energy consumed by theoccupants of homes through activities such ascooking and by appliances such as televisionsand computers Even so it is an ambitioustarget one of the most stringent in the world
At present the definition of what constitutes a zero carbon home is being reviewedPreviously it was considered to mean homesthat met Level 6 of the Code for SustainableHomes However in practice this is not alwaysachievable in every instance principally because not all households are able to generate sufficient energy on-site to offset their energy use
The government has therefore tasked theZero Carbon Hub with developing a newdefinition which would be technicallyachievable and cost-effective for developers
Their suggested definition is that developersshould be able to achieve a 70 reduction inregulated energy use (from what is allowedby 2006 Building Regulations) through acombination of energy-efficient building andthe use of energy generated from a low orzero carbon (LZC) source such as from anon-site solar panel The remaining reductionin energy use could be made up throughlsquoallowable solutionsrsquo a form of carbonoffsetting where the developer invests inother carbon-saving projects
The government has not defined exactly whatcould constitute an allowable solution butfor example it may include the retro-fittingof other nearby homes or buildings orinvesting in low-carbon street lighting for the area
8
Source wwwzerocarbonhuborg
The zero carbon hierarchy
Allowablesolutions
Zero carbonMeasures allowing
for emissionreductions that aredifficult to achieve
on site
On-site LZC energyand connected heat
Energy efficiency
70 carboncomplianceOn-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
Good buildingfabric performance
+On-site energy
generation+
Good building fabric performance
This definition and in particular what willconstitute allowable solutions will be refinedand will become part of Building Regulationsin England and Wales from 2016 This willconsiderably increase the requirements around controlling carbon emissions from new homes
In Scotland there are separate targets forestablishing zero carbon homes These arebased on the Sullivan Report which waspublished in 2007 and recommended stagedimprovements leading to net zero carbonbuildings by 201617 if practicable
This target will also be implemented throughchanges to Building Standards though theremay be some differences between thedefinitions of zero carbon used in differentparts of the UK
The Sullivan Report is available online atwwwscotlandgovukResourceDoc2177360092637pdf and the Scottish GovernmentrsquosEnergy Efficiency Action Plan which sets outhow it will implement recommendations from the Sullivan Report can be found atwwwscotlandgovukTopicsBusiness-IndustryEnergyActionenergy-efficiency-policyActionPlan
Improving the sustainability of newhomes
Whichever assessment methods are used it islikely that the same design features will becrucial in reducing the environmental impactof new homes These could include
bull Good insulation and use of materials whichdo not lose large quantities of heat ndash thecommon measure of this is a material orproductrsquos u-value (see page 10)
bull Air tight build to further reduce heat loss ndashthe measure of this is the rate of air leakageper square metre This is normally measuredat an artificial pressure of 50Pa and isexpressed as Xm3hrm250Pa Wall roofand floor areas that are exposed to theexternal environment are included in thecalculation In England and Wales themaximum air leakage rate allowed byBuilding Regulations is 8m3hrm250PaHowever a rate of 5-6 can usually beachieved on a conventional construction and3-4 in timber or steel-framed structures
bull Use of heat recovery ventilation systems ndashsystems which lsquocapturersquo heat lost from thebuilding and recycle it to keep the homewarm For example air can be extractedfrom rooms that typically produce heat suchas a kitchen and before this air is expelled itcan be passed through a heat exchangerwhere the heat is transferred to incomingfresh air
bull Use of natural heating ndash orientating homes to make the most of sunlight andreduce the need for artificial heatingHowever developers do also need to beaware of the danger of summertimeoverheating increasing the need for artificialcooling
bull Rainwater harvesting
bull On-site energy generation (considered inmore detail on pages 32-36)
bull Installation of energy-efficient appliances ndashsuch as low energy lighting
bull Use of lsquogreen roofsrsquo such as a sedum roofndash sedum is a plant that can be grown onyour roof It provides natural insulation andcan alleviate some of the flooding fromheavy rainfall as most of the initial water issoaked up into the vegetation on the roof
10
Swan New Homes are developing one ofthe largest zero carbon projects in the ThamesGateway Cranes Court Basildon is the firsthousing development to have 100 of itselectric space and water heating provided bya combined heat and power (CHP) Glycerolunit (for an explanation of this technology see page 36) It is the largest Code Level 6 schemein the Thames Gateway
The key to this achievement is Glycerol thefuel used in the CHP plant which is a wasteproduct in the manufacture of bio-diesel andhas a defined emissions factor of 0057kgCO2kWh The CHP plant provides sufficientelectricity for the scheme over the course of ayear importing electricity from the NationalGrid at peak times and exporting excesselectricity to it at times of low demand Forevery unit of Glycerol burnt the plant willgenerate electricity and the lsquowastersquo heat isused for heating As a result of the selectedfuel and CHP plant efficiencies no additionalrenewable energy was required Thisinnovative approach avoids the installation ofsolar panels creating a more traditionalfaccedilade which was an important issue withplanners
The majority of the homes have beenorientated to make best use of naturalsunlight Heating requirements in the 28 newhouses and flats will be kept to an absoluteminimum with average wall and floor u-valuesof 015 Wm2K roof u-values of 013 Wm2Kwith triple-glazed windows at 08Wm2K and
U-values
The u-value is a measure of the heatloss per square metre of a buildingelement such as a wall door orwindow The lower the u-value thebetter To give an example a solid brickwall may have a u-value of 23Wm2Kan uninsulated cavity wall 16 but amodern filled cavity wall 03
Practiceexample
an exceedingly high air tightness standard(permeability of 3) All units are equipped witha whole-house ventilation system with heatrecovery which further reduces CO2 emissions
The scheme incorporates a rainwaterharvesting system in order that thedevelopment as a whole will not dischargemore rainwater than the previous developmenton the site All plots are to achieve an internalwater usage of 80 litres per person per day(considerably less than the requirements setout in Building Regulations of no more than125 litres per person day) thereby causing noincreased pressure on the local drainagenetwork and reducing the likelihood oflocalised flooding
Further features of Cranes Court includeindividual smart metering of all properties useof recycled materials for the road base triple-glazed wood-framed windows the installationof insulation blocks beneath the floor slabsand the use of the Stewart Milne Sigma IIpanellised wall system
With the site being evaluated as havingecological value owing to the number ofmature trees achieving Level 6 of the Code forSustainable Homes was particularly difficultThe design had to gain maximum points fromnon-ecology sections within the Code andconsequently encompasses the whole range ofambitions of the Code 100 of the availablecredits have been secured within the watersurface water run-off waste and managementcategories
More informationwwwswanorgukdevelopment_and_regenerationdesign_and_sustainability
Green methods of construction
A further way of improving the sustainabilityof a development which is rarely considered isthe use of more natural materials in theconstruction process Natural materials use lessenergy to produce than synthetic ones and sohave additional benefits to the environmentas well as reducing carbon emissions from theproperty itself
Green construction methods could include theuse of natural insulation made from materialssuch as hemp or sheeprsquos wool A mixture ofhemp and lime can also be used in theconstruction of walls floors and roofs
Oaklee Housing Association has built 11new properties at Drumalla House CarnloughCounty Antrim in Northern Ireland Theproperties were built with timber frame usinginsulated solid walling made from hemp andlime
Hemp is a renewable material grown andprocessed in the UK Once hemp fibre hasbeen separated the remaining straw or lsquoshivrsquois chopped and mixed with a wet mix of aspecial lime binder and cast into a lightweightsolid wall 300mm thick which resemblesconcrete The walls are then renderedexternally with lime and plastered internally Inthis case a permanent shuttering board ofmagnesium silicate was used Hemp provides arobust highly insulating but healthy non-toxic breathable material which locks up CO2in the fabric of the building
Practiceexample
The project was part of the Renewable Houseprogramme which consisted of 12 projectsthroughout the UK which demonstrate the useof a range of natural and renewable materialsincluding wood fibre hemp sheeprsquos woolstraw and hempcrete
More informationhttpneesonlineorgp=266
12
How to find out more
Code for Sustainable Homeswwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Passivhaus wwwpassivhausorguk
Zero Carbon wwwzerocarbonhuborg
Measuring water use in the homewwwthewatercalculatororguk
The use of natural materials inconstruction is considered in more detailin the CIH and Housing StudiesAssociation publication Housing theenvironment and our changing climate(Chapter 9) wwwcihorgthebookshop
A website devoted to natural buildingmethods iswwwgreenhomebuildingcom
A full account of the Renewable Houseprogramme written by Professor TomWoolley will be published later in 2012
are you aware of the current standards fornew build and do you comply
are you up-to-date with how they arechanging
why not consider aiming for zero carbonnow rather than waiting until itscompulsory
have you considered following Passivhausprinciples in new design
and have you considered alternativebuilding materials such as hempcrete
Practice checklistNew build
Whatrsquos the issue
Every landlord has large parts (perhaps thewhole) of their housing stock which are sub-standard in environmental terms Most facean enormous task to bring their stock up tohigh standards to provide comfort andaffordability for residents and to meet lowcarbon goals This chapter looks at thephysical works required from a non-technicalperspective The aim is to give the housingprofessional a broad understanding of what isinvolved It provides the background forsetting targets and programming the workcovered on pages 47-57
House types and their problems
Across a landlordrsquos typical stock there will beconsiderable differences in energy efficiencyand hence carbon emissions even beforeresident behaviour is factored into theassessment This is because some house typesare inherently more energy-efficient or havecharacteristics which will have lent themselvesto upgrading in earlier schemes The mostmodern stock built in the last ten years willalso have been built to higher energyefficiency standards and (for example) haveinsulated cavity walls Most traditionally-builtstock dating after the 1920s has cavity wallswhich may already have been insulatedTraditionally-built houses usually have loftssuitable for insulation (although may alsohave part-sloping ceilings)
Most social landlordsrsquo homes are physicallyjoined to their neighbours in a terrace as apair of lsquosemisrsquo or within a block These areinherently more efficient as heat loss betweenoccupied dwellings is lower By the sametoken more exposed detached or end-terraceproperties are likely to be less efficient
Particular problems are likely to occur inretrofitting both modern properties that are inblocks (especially tower blocks) and olderproperties (pre-1919) that have solid wallswhich lose heat quickly (see page 17) but canonly be insulated by losing room space orinstalling outside cladding Clearly houses ofarchitectural or historic interest also posespecial challenges (see example on page 14)
Tackling existing housing stock
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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Launching
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
This definition and in particular what willconstitute allowable solutions will be refinedand will become part of Building Regulationsin England and Wales from 2016 This willconsiderably increase the requirements around controlling carbon emissions from new homes
In Scotland there are separate targets forestablishing zero carbon homes These arebased on the Sullivan Report which waspublished in 2007 and recommended stagedimprovements leading to net zero carbonbuildings by 201617 if practicable
This target will also be implemented throughchanges to Building Standards though theremay be some differences between thedefinitions of zero carbon used in differentparts of the UK
The Sullivan Report is available online atwwwscotlandgovukResourceDoc2177360092637pdf and the Scottish GovernmentrsquosEnergy Efficiency Action Plan which sets outhow it will implement recommendations from the Sullivan Report can be found atwwwscotlandgovukTopicsBusiness-IndustryEnergyActionenergy-efficiency-policyActionPlan
Improving the sustainability of newhomes
Whichever assessment methods are used it islikely that the same design features will becrucial in reducing the environmental impactof new homes These could include
bull Good insulation and use of materials whichdo not lose large quantities of heat ndash thecommon measure of this is a material orproductrsquos u-value (see page 10)
bull Air tight build to further reduce heat loss ndashthe measure of this is the rate of air leakageper square metre This is normally measuredat an artificial pressure of 50Pa and isexpressed as Xm3hrm250Pa Wall roofand floor areas that are exposed to theexternal environment are included in thecalculation In England and Wales themaximum air leakage rate allowed byBuilding Regulations is 8m3hrm250PaHowever a rate of 5-6 can usually beachieved on a conventional construction and3-4 in timber or steel-framed structures
bull Use of heat recovery ventilation systems ndashsystems which lsquocapturersquo heat lost from thebuilding and recycle it to keep the homewarm For example air can be extractedfrom rooms that typically produce heat suchas a kitchen and before this air is expelled itcan be passed through a heat exchangerwhere the heat is transferred to incomingfresh air
bull Use of natural heating ndash orientating homes to make the most of sunlight andreduce the need for artificial heatingHowever developers do also need to beaware of the danger of summertimeoverheating increasing the need for artificialcooling
bull Rainwater harvesting
bull On-site energy generation (considered inmore detail on pages 32-36)
bull Installation of energy-efficient appliances ndashsuch as low energy lighting
bull Use of lsquogreen roofsrsquo such as a sedum roofndash sedum is a plant that can be grown onyour roof It provides natural insulation andcan alleviate some of the flooding fromheavy rainfall as most of the initial water issoaked up into the vegetation on the roof
10
Swan New Homes are developing one ofthe largest zero carbon projects in the ThamesGateway Cranes Court Basildon is the firsthousing development to have 100 of itselectric space and water heating provided bya combined heat and power (CHP) Glycerolunit (for an explanation of this technology see page 36) It is the largest Code Level 6 schemein the Thames Gateway
The key to this achievement is Glycerol thefuel used in the CHP plant which is a wasteproduct in the manufacture of bio-diesel andhas a defined emissions factor of 0057kgCO2kWh The CHP plant provides sufficientelectricity for the scheme over the course of ayear importing electricity from the NationalGrid at peak times and exporting excesselectricity to it at times of low demand Forevery unit of Glycerol burnt the plant willgenerate electricity and the lsquowastersquo heat isused for heating As a result of the selectedfuel and CHP plant efficiencies no additionalrenewable energy was required Thisinnovative approach avoids the installation ofsolar panels creating a more traditionalfaccedilade which was an important issue withplanners
The majority of the homes have beenorientated to make best use of naturalsunlight Heating requirements in the 28 newhouses and flats will be kept to an absoluteminimum with average wall and floor u-valuesof 015 Wm2K roof u-values of 013 Wm2Kwith triple-glazed windows at 08Wm2K and
U-values
The u-value is a measure of the heatloss per square metre of a buildingelement such as a wall door orwindow The lower the u-value thebetter To give an example a solid brickwall may have a u-value of 23Wm2Kan uninsulated cavity wall 16 but amodern filled cavity wall 03
Practiceexample
an exceedingly high air tightness standard(permeability of 3) All units are equipped witha whole-house ventilation system with heatrecovery which further reduces CO2 emissions
The scheme incorporates a rainwaterharvesting system in order that thedevelopment as a whole will not dischargemore rainwater than the previous developmenton the site All plots are to achieve an internalwater usage of 80 litres per person per day(considerably less than the requirements setout in Building Regulations of no more than125 litres per person day) thereby causing noincreased pressure on the local drainagenetwork and reducing the likelihood oflocalised flooding
Further features of Cranes Court includeindividual smart metering of all properties useof recycled materials for the road base triple-glazed wood-framed windows the installationof insulation blocks beneath the floor slabsand the use of the Stewart Milne Sigma IIpanellised wall system
With the site being evaluated as havingecological value owing to the number ofmature trees achieving Level 6 of the Code forSustainable Homes was particularly difficultThe design had to gain maximum points fromnon-ecology sections within the Code andconsequently encompasses the whole range ofambitions of the Code 100 of the availablecredits have been secured within the watersurface water run-off waste and managementcategories
More informationwwwswanorgukdevelopment_and_regenerationdesign_and_sustainability
Green methods of construction
A further way of improving the sustainabilityof a development which is rarely considered isthe use of more natural materials in theconstruction process Natural materials use lessenergy to produce than synthetic ones and sohave additional benefits to the environmentas well as reducing carbon emissions from theproperty itself
Green construction methods could include theuse of natural insulation made from materialssuch as hemp or sheeprsquos wool A mixture ofhemp and lime can also be used in theconstruction of walls floors and roofs
Oaklee Housing Association has built 11new properties at Drumalla House CarnloughCounty Antrim in Northern Ireland Theproperties were built with timber frame usinginsulated solid walling made from hemp andlime
Hemp is a renewable material grown andprocessed in the UK Once hemp fibre hasbeen separated the remaining straw or lsquoshivrsquois chopped and mixed with a wet mix of aspecial lime binder and cast into a lightweightsolid wall 300mm thick which resemblesconcrete The walls are then renderedexternally with lime and plastered internally Inthis case a permanent shuttering board ofmagnesium silicate was used Hemp provides arobust highly insulating but healthy non-toxic breathable material which locks up CO2in the fabric of the building
Practiceexample
The project was part of the Renewable Houseprogramme which consisted of 12 projectsthroughout the UK which demonstrate the useof a range of natural and renewable materialsincluding wood fibre hemp sheeprsquos woolstraw and hempcrete
More informationhttpneesonlineorgp=266
12
How to find out more
Code for Sustainable Homeswwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Passivhaus wwwpassivhausorguk
Zero Carbon wwwzerocarbonhuborg
Measuring water use in the homewwwthewatercalculatororguk
The use of natural materials inconstruction is considered in more detailin the CIH and Housing StudiesAssociation publication Housing theenvironment and our changing climate(Chapter 9) wwwcihorgthebookshop
A website devoted to natural buildingmethods iswwwgreenhomebuildingcom
A full account of the Renewable Houseprogramme written by Professor TomWoolley will be published later in 2012
are you aware of the current standards fornew build and do you comply
are you up-to-date with how they arechanging
why not consider aiming for zero carbonnow rather than waiting until itscompulsory
have you considered following Passivhausprinciples in new design
and have you considered alternativebuilding materials such as hempcrete
Practice checklistNew build
Whatrsquos the issue
Every landlord has large parts (perhaps thewhole) of their housing stock which are sub-standard in environmental terms Most facean enormous task to bring their stock up tohigh standards to provide comfort andaffordability for residents and to meet lowcarbon goals This chapter looks at thephysical works required from a non-technicalperspective The aim is to give the housingprofessional a broad understanding of what isinvolved It provides the background forsetting targets and programming the workcovered on pages 47-57
House types and their problems
Across a landlordrsquos typical stock there will beconsiderable differences in energy efficiencyand hence carbon emissions even beforeresident behaviour is factored into theassessment This is because some house typesare inherently more energy-efficient or havecharacteristics which will have lent themselvesto upgrading in earlier schemes The mostmodern stock built in the last ten years willalso have been built to higher energyefficiency standards and (for example) haveinsulated cavity walls Most traditionally-builtstock dating after the 1920s has cavity wallswhich may already have been insulatedTraditionally-built houses usually have loftssuitable for insulation (although may alsohave part-sloping ceilings)
Most social landlordsrsquo homes are physicallyjoined to their neighbours in a terrace as apair of lsquosemisrsquo or within a block These areinherently more efficient as heat loss betweenoccupied dwellings is lower By the sametoken more exposed detached or end-terraceproperties are likely to be less efficient
Particular problems are likely to occur inretrofitting both modern properties that are inblocks (especially tower blocks) and olderproperties (pre-1919) that have solid wallswhich lose heat quickly (see page 17) but canonly be insulated by losing room space orinstalling outside cladding Clearly houses ofarchitectural or historic interest also posespecial challenges (see example on page 14)
Tackling existing housing stock
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
bull Installation of energy-efficient appliances ndashsuch as low energy lighting
bull Use of lsquogreen roofsrsquo such as a sedum roofndash sedum is a plant that can be grown onyour roof It provides natural insulation andcan alleviate some of the flooding fromheavy rainfall as most of the initial water issoaked up into the vegetation on the roof
10
Swan New Homes are developing one ofthe largest zero carbon projects in the ThamesGateway Cranes Court Basildon is the firsthousing development to have 100 of itselectric space and water heating provided bya combined heat and power (CHP) Glycerolunit (for an explanation of this technology see page 36) It is the largest Code Level 6 schemein the Thames Gateway
The key to this achievement is Glycerol thefuel used in the CHP plant which is a wasteproduct in the manufacture of bio-diesel andhas a defined emissions factor of 0057kgCO2kWh The CHP plant provides sufficientelectricity for the scheme over the course of ayear importing electricity from the NationalGrid at peak times and exporting excesselectricity to it at times of low demand Forevery unit of Glycerol burnt the plant willgenerate electricity and the lsquowastersquo heat isused for heating As a result of the selectedfuel and CHP plant efficiencies no additionalrenewable energy was required Thisinnovative approach avoids the installation ofsolar panels creating a more traditionalfaccedilade which was an important issue withplanners
The majority of the homes have beenorientated to make best use of naturalsunlight Heating requirements in the 28 newhouses and flats will be kept to an absoluteminimum with average wall and floor u-valuesof 015 Wm2K roof u-values of 013 Wm2Kwith triple-glazed windows at 08Wm2K and
U-values
The u-value is a measure of the heatloss per square metre of a buildingelement such as a wall door orwindow The lower the u-value thebetter To give an example a solid brickwall may have a u-value of 23Wm2Kan uninsulated cavity wall 16 but amodern filled cavity wall 03
Practiceexample
an exceedingly high air tightness standard(permeability of 3) All units are equipped witha whole-house ventilation system with heatrecovery which further reduces CO2 emissions
The scheme incorporates a rainwaterharvesting system in order that thedevelopment as a whole will not dischargemore rainwater than the previous developmenton the site All plots are to achieve an internalwater usage of 80 litres per person per day(considerably less than the requirements setout in Building Regulations of no more than125 litres per person day) thereby causing noincreased pressure on the local drainagenetwork and reducing the likelihood oflocalised flooding
Further features of Cranes Court includeindividual smart metering of all properties useof recycled materials for the road base triple-glazed wood-framed windows the installationof insulation blocks beneath the floor slabsand the use of the Stewart Milne Sigma IIpanellised wall system
With the site being evaluated as havingecological value owing to the number ofmature trees achieving Level 6 of the Code forSustainable Homes was particularly difficultThe design had to gain maximum points fromnon-ecology sections within the Code andconsequently encompasses the whole range ofambitions of the Code 100 of the availablecredits have been secured within the watersurface water run-off waste and managementcategories
More informationwwwswanorgukdevelopment_and_regenerationdesign_and_sustainability
Green methods of construction
A further way of improving the sustainabilityof a development which is rarely considered isthe use of more natural materials in theconstruction process Natural materials use lessenergy to produce than synthetic ones and sohave additional benefits to the environmentas well as reducing carbon emissions from theproperty itself
Green construction methods could include theuse of natural insulation made from materialssuch as hemp or sheeprsquos wool A mixture ofhemp and lime can also be used in theconstruction of walls floors and roofs
Oaklee Housing Association has built 11new properties at Drumalla House CarnloughCounty Antrim in Northern Ireland Theproperties were built with timber frame usinginsulated solid walling made from hemp andlime
Hemp is a renewable material grown andprocessed in the UK Once hemp fibre hasbeen separated the remaining straw or lsquoshivrsquois chopped and mixed with a wet mix of aspecial lime binder and cast into a lightweightsolid wall 300mm thick which resemblesconcrete The walls are then renderedexternally with lime and plastered internally Inthis case a permanent shuttering board ofmagnesium silicate was used Hemp provides arobust highly insulating but healthy non-toxic breathable material which locks up CO2in the fabric of the building
Practiceexample
The project was part of the Renewable Houseprogramme which consisted of 12 projectsthroughout the UK which demonstrate the useof a range of natural and renewable materialsincluding wood fibre hemp sheeprsquos woolstraw and hempcrete
More informationhttpneesonlineorgp=266
12
How to find out more
Code for Sustainable Homeswwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Passivhaus wwwpassivhausorguk
Zero Carbon wwwzerocarbonhuborg
Measuring water use in the homewwwthewatercalculatororguk
The use of natural materials inconstruction is considered in more detailin the CIH and Housing StudiesAssociation publication Housing theenvironment and our changing climate(Chapter 9) wwwcihorgthebookshop
A website devoted to natural buildingmethods iswwwgreenhomebuildingcom
A full account of the Renewable Houseprogramme written by Professor TomWoolley will be published later in 2012
are you aware of the current standards fornew build and do you comply
are you up-to-date with how they arechanging
why not consider aiming for zero carbonnow rather than waiting until itscompulsory
have you considered following Passivhausprinciples in new design
and have you considered alternativebuilding materials such as hempcrete
Practice checklistNew build
Whatrsquos the issue
Every landlord has large parts (perhaps thewhole) of their housing stock which are sub-standard in environmental terms Most facean enormous task to bring their stock up tohigh standards to provide comfort andaffordability for residents and to meet lowcarbon goals This chapter looks at thephysical works required from a non-technicalperspective The aim is to give the housingprofessional a broad understanding of what isinvolved It provides the background forsetting targets and programming the workcovered on pages 47-57
House types and their problems
Across a landlordrsquos typical stock there will beconsiderable differences in energy efficiencyand hence carbon emissions even beforeresident behaviour is factored into theassessment This is because some house typesare inherently more energy-efficient or havecharacteristics which will have lent themselvesto upgrading in earlier schemes The mostmodern stock built in the last ten years willalso have been built to higher energyefficiency standards and (for example) haveinsulated cavity walls Most traditionally-builtstock dating after the 1920s has cavity wallswhich may already have been insulatedTraditionally-built houses usually have loftssuitable for insulation (although may alsohave part-sloping ceilings)
Most social landlordsrsquo homes are physicallyjoined to their neighbours in a terrace as apair of lsquosemisrsquo or within a block These areinherently more efficient as heat loss betweenoccupied dwellings is lower By the sametoken more exposed detached or end-terraceproperties are likely to be less efficient
Particular problems are likely to occur inretrofitting both modern properties that are inblocks (especially tower blocks) and olderproperties (pre-1919) that have solid wallswhich lose heat quickly (see page 17) but canonly be insulated by losing room space orinstalling outside cladding Clearly houses ofarchitectural or historic interest also posespecial challenges (see example on page 14)
Tackling existing housing stock
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
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swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
an exceedingly high air tightness standard(permeability of 3) All units are equipped witha whole-house ventilation system with heatrecovery which further reduces CO2 emissions
The scheme incorporates a rainwaterharvesting system in order that thedevelopment as a whole will not dischargemore rainwater than the previous developmenton the site All plots are to achieve an internalwater usage of 80 litres per person per day(considerably less than the requirements setout in Building Regulations of no more than125 litres per person day) thereby causing noincreased pressure on the local drainagenetwork and reducing the likelihood oflocalised flooding
Further features of Cranes Court includeindividual smart metering of all properties useof recycled materials for the road base triple-glazed wood-framed windows the installationof insulation blocks beneath the floor slabsand the use of the Stewart Milne Sigma IIpanellised wall system
With the site being evaluated as havingecological value owing to the number ofmature trees achieving Level 6 of the Code forSustainable Homes was particularly difficultThe design had to gain maximum points fromnon-ecology sections within the Code andconsequently encompasses the whole range ofambitions of the Code 100 of the availablecredits have been secured within the watersurface water run-off waste and managementcategories
More informationwwwswanorgukdevelopment_and_regenerationdesign_and_sustainability
Green methods of construction
A further way of improving the sustainabilityof a development which is rarely considered isthe use of more natural materials in theconstruction process Natural materials use lessenergy to produce than synthetic ones and sohave additional benefits to the environmentas well as reducing carbon emissions from theproperty itself
Green construction methods could include theuse of natural insulation made from materialssuch as hemp or sheeprsquos wool A mixture ofhemp and lime can also be used in theconstruction of walls floors and roofs
Oaklee Housing Association has built 11new properties at Drumalla House CarnloughCounty Antrim in Northern Ireland Theproperties were built with timber frame usinginsulated solid walling made from hemp andlime
Hemp is a renewable material grown andprocessed in the UK Once hemp fibre hasbeen separated the remaining straw or lsquoshivrsquois chopped and mixed with a wet mix of aspecial lime binder and cast into a lightweightsolid wall 300mm thick which resemblesconcrete The walls are then renderedexternally with lime and plastered internally Inthis case a permanent shuttering board ofmagnesium silicate was used Hemp provides arobust highly insulating but healthy non-toxic breathable material which locks up CO2in the fabric of the building
Practiceexample
The project was part of the Renewable Houseprogramme which consisted of 12 projectsthroughout the UK which demonstrate the useof a range of natural and renewable materialsincluding wood fibre hemp sheeprsquos woolstraw and hempcrete
More informationhttpneesonlineorgp=266
12
How to find out more
Code for Sustainable Homeswwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Passivhaus wwwpassivhausorguk
Zero Carbon wwwzerocarbonhuborg
Measuring water use in the homewwwthewatercalculatororguk
The use of natural materials inconstruction is considered in more detailin the CIH and Housing StudiesAssociation publication Housing theenvironment and our changing climate(Chapter 9) wwwcihorgthebookshop
A website devoted to natural buildingmethods iswwwgreenhomebuildingcom
A full account of the Renewable Houseprogramme written by Professor TomWoolley will be published later in 2012
are you aware of the current standards fornew build and do you comply
are you up-to-date with how they arechanging
why not consider aiming for zero carbonnow rather than waiting until itscompulsory
have you considered following Passivhausprinciples in new design
and have you considered alternativebuilding materials such as hempcrete
Practice checklistNew build
Whatrsquos the issue
Every landlord has large parts (perhaps thewhole) of their housing stock which are sub-standard in environmental terms Most facean enormous task to bring their stock up tohigh standards to provide comfort andaffordability for residents and to meet lowcarbon goals This chapter looks at thephysical works required from a non-technicalperspective The aim is to give the housingprofessional a broad understanding of what isinvolved It provides the background forsetting targets and programming the workcovered on pages 47-57
House types and their problems
Across a landlordrsquos typical stock there will beconsiderable differences in energy efficiencyand hence carbon emissions even beforeresident behaviour is factored into theassessment This is because some house typesare inherently more energy-efficient or havecharacteristics which will have lent themselvesto upgrading in earlier schemes The mostmodern stock built in the last ten years willalso have been built to higher energyefficiency standards and (for example) haveinsulated cavity walls Most traditionally-builtstock dating after the 1920s has cavity wallswhich may already have been insulatedTraditionally-built houses usually have loftssuitable for insulation (although may alsohave part-sloping ceilings)
Most social landlordsrsquo homes are physicallyjoined to their neighbours in a terrace as apair of lsquosemisrsquo or within a block These areinherently more efficient as heat loss betweenoccupied dwellings is lower By the sametoken more exposed detached or end-terraceproperties are likely to be less efficient
Particular problems are likely to occur inretrofitting both modern properties that are inblocks (especially tower blocks) and olderproperties (pre-1919) that have solid wallswhich lose heat quickly (see page 17) but canonly be insulated by losing room space orinstalling outside cladding Clearly houses ofarchitectural or historic interest also posespecial challenges (see example on page 14)
Tackling existing housing stock
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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Launching
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
The project was part of the Renewable Houseprogramme which consisted of 12 projectsthroughout the UK which demonstrate the useof a range of natural and renewable materialsincluding wood fibre hemp sheeprsquos woolstraw and hempcrete
More informationhttpneesonlineorgp=266
12
How to find out more
Code for Sustainable Homeswwwcommunitiesgovukpublicationsplanningandbuildingcodeguide
Passivhaus wwwpassivhausorguk
Zero Carbon wwwzerocarbonhuborg
Measuring water use in the homewwwthewatercalculatororguk
The use of natural materials inconstruction is considered in more detailin the CIH and Housing StudiesAssociation publication Housing theenvironment and our changing climate(Chapter 9) wwwcihorgthebookshop
A website devoted to natural buildingmethods iswwwgreenhomebuildingcom
A full account of the Renewable Houseprogramme written by Professor TomWoolley will be published later in 2012
are you aware of the current standards fornew build and do you comply
are you up-to-date with how they arechanging
why not consider aiming for zero carbonnow rather than waiting until itscompulsory
have you considered following Passivhausprinciples in new design
and have you considered alternativebuilding materials such as hempcrete
Practice checklistNew build
Whatrsquos the issue
Every landlord has large parts (perhaps thewhole) of their housing stock which are sub-standard in environmental terms Most facean enormous task to bring their stock up tohigh standards to provide comfort andaffordability for residents and to meet lowcarbon goals This chapter looks at thephysical works required from a non-technicalperspective The aim is to give the housingprofessional a broad understanding of what isinvolved It provides the background forsetting targets and programming the workcovered on pages 47-57
House types and their problems
Across a landlordrsquos typical stock there will beconsiderable differences in energy efficiencyand hence carbon emissions even beforeresident behaviour is factored into theassessment This is because some house typesare inherently more energy-efficient or havecharacteristics which will have lent themselvesto upgrading in earlier schemes The mostmodern stock built in the last ten years willalso have been built to higher energyefficiency standards and (for example) haveinsulated cavity walls Most traditionally-builtstock dating after the 1920s has cavity wallswhich may already have been insulatedTraditionally-built houses usually have loftssuitable for insulation (although may alsohave part-sloping ceilings)
Most social landlordsrsquo homes are physicallyjoined to their neighbours in a terrace as apair of lsquosemisrsquo or within a block These areinherently more efficient as heat loss betweenoccupied dwellings is lower By the sametoken more exposed detached or end-terraceproperties are likely to be less efficient
Particular problems are likely to occur inretrofitting both modern properties that are inblocks (especially tower blocks) and olderproperties (pre-1919) that have solid wallswhich lose heat quickly (see page 17) but canonly be insulated by losing room space orinstalling outside cladding Clearly houses ofarchitectural or historic interest also posespecial challenges (see example on page 14)
Tackling existing housing stock
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Whatrsquos the issue
Every landlord has large parts (perhaps thewhole) of their housing stock which are sub-standard in environmental terms Most facean enormous task to bring their stock up tohigh standards to provide comfort andaffordability for residents and to meet lowcarbon goals This chapter looks at thephysical works required from a non-technicalperspective The aim is to give the housingprofessional a broad understanding of what isinvolved It provides the background forsetting targets and programming the workcovered on pages 47-57
House types and their problems
Across a landlordrsquos typical stock there will beconsiderable differences in energy efficiencyand hence carbon emissions even beforeresident behaviour is factored into theassessment This is because some house typesare inherently more energy-efficient or havecharacteristics which will have lent themselvesto upgrading in earlier schemes The mostmodern stock built in the last ten years willalso have been built to higher energyefficiency standards and (for example) haveinsulated cavity walls Most traditionally-builtstock dating after the 1920s has cavity wallswhich may already have been insulatedTraditionally-built houses usually have loftssuitable for insulation (although may alsohave part-sloping ceilings)
Most social landlordsrsquo homes are physicallyjoined to their neighbours in a terrace as apair of lsquosemisrsquo or within a block These areinherently more efficient as heat loss betweenoccupied dwellings is lower By the sametoken more exposed detached or end-terraceproperties are likely to be less efficient
Particular problems are likely to occur inretrofitting both modern properties that are inblocks (especially tower blocks) and olderproperties (pre-1919) that have solid wallswhich lose heat quickly (see page 17) but canonly be insulated by losing room space orinstalling outside cladding Clearly houses ofarchitectural or historic interest also posespecial challenges (see example on page 14)
Tackling existing housing stock
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
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Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Dumfries and Galloway HousingPartnership (DGHP) has carried out achallenging refurbishment project on six blocksof flats each comprising eight one-bedroomhomes Of the 48 properties 33 are owned by DGHP and 15 are owner-occupied Theproperties are of historic interest having beenbuilt a century ago to a somewhat unusualconstruction and were generally heated byelectric storage heaters
All but four of the flats were refurbished tocurrent Building Standards Four flats were used to incorporate the building and energytechnologies needed to meet the 2050 carbonemissions target including
bull microgeneration
bull significantly higher levels of insulation (wallsndash external and internal ndash and floors use ofsheeprsquos wool loft insulation)
bull living sedum flat roofs
bull Passivhaus standard doors and windows
bull air tightness of under 2m3m2hr50Pa The project also incorporated
bull 53m2 of solar PV producing 72kWp saving3409kg of CO2 per year
bull light emitting diodes (LED) lighting
bull underfloor heating using lsquoArsquo ratedcondensing gas boilers
bull use of recycled materials
bull encouraging use of outdoor space eg forfood growing
The project was funded by DGHP with supportfrom the low carbon building programme CERTand FiT
The project has won two awards The NationalHome Improvement Council Retro FittingEnergy Efficient 2010 and the Scottish Homesjudges award 2010
Contact Mike Trant Asset Management andPolicy Manager ndash miketrantdghporguk
Typical heat losses and priorities fortackling them
The diagram below shows typical heat losses and hence emissions from an olderuninsulated house The biggest source ofemissions is space heating (54 of emissions)Of this percentage 39 is due to heat lossesthrough the fabric and 15 due to inefficientequipment and poor controls The next biggestsource of emissions is lighting and appliances(26) Hot water (15) and cooking (5) arethe remaining sources
14
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic RefurbishmentConstruction Products Association (2010)
Practiceexample
Typical sources of emissions in an olderuninsulated house
Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Explaining heat losses and carbon emissions inthis way makes it immediately apparent thataction depends on both the landlord and theresident the landlord can make the physicalfabric and the sources of energy as efficient aspossible the resident needs to make properuse of the systems and also to be aware ofenergy use by cookers refrigerators and therange of household appliances and gadgets Inaddition emissions only partly depend uponwhat happens in the house itself the fuel usedto provide electricity is a further factor Thelandlord or tenant may be able to source lowcarbon electricity or (for example) replaceheating systems so they use gas or areconnected to efficient district heating schemesbut the landlord is not usually the main energysupplier
An important starting point is therefore thefabric of the dwelling since this is usuallyentirely within the landlordrsquos control Thelandlordrsquos principal aim should be to make thephysical fabric of the house as energy-efficientas possible for several linked reasons
bull poorly-insulated fabric is responsible forheat losses and hence for a significantproportion of emissions
bull minimising heat loss by having a well-insulated fabric means that the need forspace heating is reduced or even ndash in ahyper-efficient property ndash virtually eliminated
bull the more efficient the fabric the lessimportant it is to invest in highly efficientheating (since space heating will become amuch smaller factor in the homersquos energyuse)
bull the landlord has a great deal of control overthe fabric which is largely fixed asopposed to heating and ndash even more ndashappliances which are largely controlled bythe resident
bull good insulation is likely to be appreciatedby tenants for its lsquocomfort valuersquo becausethe house retains heat for much longerwhile they are out or during the night
Measuring thermal efficiency andassessing cost effectiveness
Two technical issues have to be consideredbriefly before discussing retrofit works
First the landlord has to understand whataffects the thermal efficiency of a house or ofbuilding materials The common measure ofthermal efficiency is a material or productrsquos u-value (for an explanation of u-values seepage 10) The u-values of all the buildingelements can be calculated together to givethe heat loss from the whole house
Second the landlord has to be able to judgethe cost-effectiveness of one product ortreatment compared with another This is acomplex area as there are so many differentproducts or treatments (from new light bulbsto external wall cladding) with vastly differentcosts and expected lifetimes The issue can besimplified by obtaining guidance on thelsquocarbon cost effectivenessrsquo of differentmeasures This is the capital cost of theproduct or treatment minus the fuel costsavings that it will deliver per tonne of carbondioxide emission saved during the lifetime ofthe measure There is a guide to the carbon
cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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cost effectiveness of different measures in An Introduction to Low Carbon DomesticRefurbishment
Some measures like loft insulation are so cost-effective that they pay for themselves in a veryshort time At the other extreme are measureswhich save relatively small amounts of carbonper pound invested but which may be necessary toachieve the targets discussed in this practicebrief
There are tools available to help the non-technical person understand the choices to bemade and relative costs involved
bull Sustainable Homes provides CarbonReduction Options for Housing Managers(CROHM) ndash an assessment servicewwwsustainablehomescoukstock_carbon_assessmentaspx
bull the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has an EnergyCredits Calculator designed to help housingprofessionals to assess the potentialapproaches and features necessary toachieve a range of energy credits within the Code for Sustainable HomeswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnergy-Credits-Calculator
Typical retrofit works
In this practice brief our aim is to give a verybrief overview of the types of work (andchoices about types of work) likely to beconsidered in a retrofit scheme We deal inturn with each of the main building elementsshown in the diagram of the house and typicalemissions on page 14
This practice brief does not deal withprocurement as this was covered in Greeningyour organisation
Roofs
In a conventional house with a loft the easiestoption is to lay insulation between the joists inthe roof space and then put further insulationacross the joists The minimum thicknessshould be 270mm benefits can be obtainedfrom even thicker insulation given that thelabour costs are low If there are still houses inthe stock with uninsulated lofts these shouldbe a priority for action by a contractor awareof the technical requirements (eg ventilationinsulation of cold water tanks etc) and maybe readily funded during the final stages ofCERT (see page 22)
Houses with other types of roof presenttechnical problems (eg weatherproofingcondensation) and insulation is best carriedout as part of planned renewal of the roof
bull in houses with a roof space that is a roomor in rooms with part-sloping ceilingsinsulation must be put between the roofrafters and below the roofing material
bull with flat roofs it may be possible toinsulate above the existing roof
16
Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Walls
Where walls have suitable cavities they can bereadily insulated by a specialist contractor egthrough CERT There may be opportunities fora social landlord to offer insulation services toprivate properties in the same area eg rightto buy properties Even with cavity wallinsulation however the u-values achieved maynot be low enough and further insulationmight be required (see below)
Other types of wall require insulation to beadded to the inside or outside
bull In the case of older terrace housesespecially if built onto the street interiorinsulation may be the only option inevitablyreducing the floorspace of the affectedrooms Where this is the planned approachcare must be taken when scheduling kitchenor bathroom replacements to ensure thatinternal insulation is installed at the sametime as (or prior to) the replacement so thatthe new fittings fit the reduced space anddo not have to be removedreplaced later
bull Insulating with external cladding may be theappropriate solution for blocks of flatsHowever it needs careful technical work andprogramming becausendash the eaves of the roof may need to be
extended to cover the new wall thicknessndash there is a danger of lsquocold bridgesrsquo being
created especially around windows andother openings therefore ideally windowreplacement will be planned as part of acomprehensive insulation scheme
ndash cladding may interfere with otherbuilding elements such as storm waterdrains or gulleys
Floors
Houses with suspended wooden floors loseconsiderable amounts of heat both because ofthe low efficiency of the floor itself andthrough draughts because the sub-floor spacehas to be ventilated to avoid woodworkbecoming rotten Suspended floors can bedraught-proofed and have insulationsuspended between the floor joists but itsthickness will probably be restricted to thedepth of the joists so as not to interfere withventilation
Solid floors (and solid replacements ofsuspended floors) can be insulated eitherabove the floor if it is to be retained or belowif it is to be replaced
Doors and windows
Doors and windows are a major source of heatloss Energy-efficient windows when correctlyselected and installed will help to improvethermal comfort for the occupants as well asto cut fuel bills Savings from high-performance glazing are significant Becausewindows are replaced only infrequentlywindows of the highest thermal performanceshould be installed when the opportunityarises in improvement programmes There isnow a range of types of high-performancewindows with insulated frames specialcoatings to reflect heat back into the houseetc
Doors can be readily replaced with new onesthat have insulated cores
Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Cold bridges air leakage and ventilation
Careful attention needs to be paid to heat lossthrough the surrounds to doors and windowsas well as the doorswindows themselves asthese are often the parts of the buildingstructure where lsquocold bridgesrsquo occur Cold orthermal bridges are localised areas of lowthermal resistance caused by the presence ofelements which conduct heat readily such assteel window frames ndash and other less obviousexamples such as a steel support for a balconywhich crosses the width of the exterior wall
Because these parts of the structure are colder(or in summer warmer) they reduce theeffectiveness of the buildingrsquos insulation Thebetter the insulation the more important it isto deal with cold bridges They can be severeenough to cause condensation and stainingCold bridges can be readily identified withthermal imaging equipment but dealing withthem is a specialist area
There is guidance on this with constructiondetails at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsEnhanced-Construction-Details
Drafts are also a major cause of heat lossbecause warm air from inside the house isreplaced by cold air from outside In a typicaluntreated house air leakage may be so badthat the air is changed every hour Howeverbuildings (and people) do of course needventilation so the two issues are normallyconsidered together to avoid solving one set ofproblems and causing another (eg damagethrough condensation resulting from poorventilation)
Basic measures such as draught-proofing doorsand windows can be taken without seriouslyaffecting ventilation but more ambitiousprojects (eg as part of refurbishment) willneed specific forms of ventilation from thesimple provision of extractor fans inkitchensbathrooms to more ambitious lsquowholehousersquo methods which may extract the heatfrom air before it is expelled Obviouslymodern systems are designed to be eitherpassive or low-energy in operation
Heating
Given that boilers need periodic replacementinstalling a high-efficiency (lsquoArsquo graded) boiler isusually cost-effective the current best optionbeing a gas boiler if the house is on the gasgrid If significant insulation measures arebeing undertaken or are planned the mainuse of the boiler may shift from house-heatingto water-heating and this needs to be takeninto account in deciding on the type (forexample choosing a combi-boiler providinginstant hot water and having no hot watertank)
It is also relatively inexpensive to replaceheating controls to ensure that the system isused efficiently ndash providing of course thatresidents have been given guidance on theiruse One option is to install smart meters thatshow real-time energy use and encourageresidents to make savings
18
Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Renewable energy systems (eg thermal solar)may be considered especially because of thefinancial incentives available (see page 26)However careful consideration is needed as totheir cost-effectiveness compared with otherinvestments Connecting houses to a high-efficiency district heating system may be aneconomical option in some areas (also seeexample on page 29)
Lighting and appliances
Low-energy bulbs are now becoming standardbut these and other appliances are likely to bechosen by residents Nevertheless selectionand use of appliances and the energy theyconsume can be an important aspect ofenergy-saving advice Again micro-generationof electricity might be considered (see pages32-36)
Other measures
A range of other measures can be consideredsome of which reflect broader environmentalaims rather than reducing carbon emissionsThese might include improving the efficiencyof water use through (for example) low-flowfittings or re-use of rain water to recyclingschemes tree planting minimising car usethrough car pools and so on These widermeasures are an excellent focus for engagingwith residents (see the practice briefGreening your organisation) They will not bedealt with in detail here
Adapting housing to climate change
So far this chapter has focused on improvingthe energy efficiency of housing in order tolsquomitigatersquo climate change but it is alsoimportant in improvement schemes to considerhow to adapt housing to the effects of climatechange as they begin to occur These are likelyto be a warmer wetter stormier and moreunpredictable climate There are two mainassociated risks overheating and flooding
Avoiding overheating
A well-insulated house is ideal for the coldermonths when the need is to avoid heat lossbut in the summer the natural heat from thepeople and appliances in the house will beretained too possibly making the house toohot If residents then install forms of air-conditioning this obviously counteracts thesavings in energy use and in emissions from theother measures taken to improve the house
The aim should therefore to be to incorporatelsquopassiversquo measures to reduce overheating (ieones needing little or no energy input) Suchmeasures should include
bull reducing areas of south-facing windows
bull installing external shading of south-facingwindows
bull providing adequate ventilation
bull ensuring that any heat recovery systems(eg part of whole-house ventilationsystems) can be set to expel (not retain) heatin summer
bull advising residents how to keep their housescool in summer ndash by minimising heat gain inthe daytime and ventilating with cooler airat night time
In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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In specifying retrofit schemes for houses withsolid walls it is worth bearing in mind thatexternal insulation though havingdisadvantages helps to keep buildings cool insummer (whereas internal insulation allowsheat to build up in the wall structure)
An online toolkit has been developed at De Montfort University to help diagnose andprevent potential overheating in four standard dwelling types (detached semi-detached and terrace houses and flats)wwwiesddmuacukcrew
Avoiding flooding
It is good practice to make flood riskassessments for your housing and wherenecessary introduce measures to protectagainst flooding in improvement schemesThese might include
bull improvements to storm water drainage toreduce the risk of backing-up
bull where surface water run-off is significant(eg car park areas) consider creatingpermeable surfaces to reduce run-off
bull relocating vulnerable equipment aboveground-floor level
bull making buildings and their interiors moreresilient and having contingency rescue andclean-up plans
A good non-technical guide to the issues isthe RIBA toolkit Designing for Flood RiskwwwarchitecturecomFilesRIBAHoldingsPolicyAndInternationalRelationsPolicyEnvironment2Designing_for_floodriskpdf
20
How to find out more
Excellent guides to low carbonrefurbishment in non-technicallanguage are the Construction ProductsAssociationrsquos An Introduction to LowCarbon Domestic RefurbishmentwwwconstructionproductsorgukpublicationsPageaspxId=511
and the ESTrsquos guide to SustainableRefurbishmentwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsExisting-housing(this also has guidance on adapting toclimate change)
In setting out to convince people about yourgreen agenda
have you begun to look at retrofit for yourstock
have you researched what the main issuesare
have you trained in-house technical staffand do they understand the retrofit agendaIf not how will you address it
have you also considered how to adapt thestock to climate change
Practice checklistRetrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Launching
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Whatrsquos the issue
Having decided that you are going to greenyour stock how do you finance it Retrofittinghouses to high energy efficiency standards isexpensive ndash depending on the level aimed forit can range from say pound7000 to achieve a20 carbon reduction to pound70000 or more foran 80 reduction
Unfortunately apart from trials or small-scaleschemes most of the funding methods fallbelow or near the bottom of this range Forexample although there is no maximumpayment under the Green Deal (see page 26)payments can be no higher than the predictedenergy savings this will limit them to smallsums in some cases The difficulty that sociallandlords face is that without carefulplanning they might take advantage ofavailable funding for a modest retrofit schemethen have to return to the properties to domore major works further down the line Abalance needs to be struck ndash which in thecurrent funding climate is not an easy task
Financing retrofit work is not straightforwardin another sense ndash there is a bewildering rangeof schemes and not all are aimed at socialhousing Most schemes apply across GreatBritain but some do not apply in NorthernIreland Some can help to finance retrofitdirectly while others (such as decent homesfunding or its equivalent) are aimed morewidely Others (like the Feed in Tariff) producean income which pays a return on thelandlordrsquos investment rather than being agrant
In practice therefore planning how to financethe work has to be part of your strategy (seepages 47-57) inevitably there will be difficultfunding choices and decisions about how toachieve the biggest carbon reductions in thestock or tackle the worst fuel poverty amongtenants from the available sources of finance
Main financing options
The main financing methods are outlined hereThey are
bull current supplier obligation programmes ndashUK-widendash Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
(CERT) ndash Community Energy Saving Programme
(CESP)
bull Feed in Tariff (FiT) ndash England Scotland andWales
bull Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ndash potentiallyUK-wide (but not yet available in NorthernIreland)
bull Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation(ECO) ndash UK-wide
bull guarantee funds ndash potentially UK-wide
bull low carbon district heating ndash potentially UK-wide
bull mainstrean funding eg for stockinvestment ndash UK-wide (if available)
This does not exhaust the possibilities thereare other ideas for funding and this is an areawhere new opportunities frequently emerge(page 30)
Financing retrofit
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has summarisedthe overall approaches to finance in thediagram below depending whether anorganisation is lsquocarbon proactiversquo and whetherit looks for in-house or out-sourced solutionsIn principle many of the finance sources listedcan be adapted to fit with one of theapproaches below For example the GreenDeal can potentially combine with ECO and in-house funds to finance an in-house carbonproactive approach equally Green Deal mightbe left to the private sector and individualhouseholder initiative ndash a minimalist out-sourced approach See the diagram below
Current supplier obligation programmesndash CERT and CESP
The governmentrsquos current supplier obligationprogrammes (CERT and CESP in EnglandScotland and Wales NISEP in Northern Ireland)
are delivered by the fuel supply industries and continue into 2012 The replacementprogramme will be called lsquoECOrsquo (EnergyCompany Obligation) and will complement thegovernmentrsquos forthcoming Green Deal by beingtargeted at hard-to-treat homes and fuel poorhouseholds from later in 2013 (see page 26)
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)funding
Planned to continue into 2012 CERT is availablefor social landlords to install a wide range ofretrofit measures providing they targethouseholds on benefits or with older residents(over 70 years old) About 43 of householdsare thought to be in the target groups andschemes must achieve 40 of their savings fromsuch households There are special incentives toinclude hard-to-treat homes such as thoseneeding external cladding or not on the gas grid
22
Source Based on Energy Saving Trust Review of local authority finance models for large-scale domestic retrofit ndashwwwenergysavingtrustorgukenglandcontentviewfull1404
Summary of green finance options
In-house Work with private sector
Proactive
Minimalist
End-to-end in-house model Partnership with private sector finance and delivery model
Provide market support Outsource to third party (private)
Public sector financedmodel (on balance sheet)
Public sector project financemodel (off balance sheet)
Revolving retrofitguarantee fund
Marketingfacilitation role
Leave to central governmentand the market
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
In the first two years of CERT it spent pound22mon loft and cavity wall insulation of whichpound19m was in England and the remainder inScotland and Wales Such insulation measuresare attractive to energy suppliers because theyprovide the biggest reductions in emissions perpound spent (towards meeting their targets)However the remaining potential for loftcavitywall insulation in the social sector is limited sosuppliers may want to concentrate on privatesector homes
A comprehensive briefing paper on CERT isavailable from the ESTwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessGlobal-DataPublicationsCarbon-Emissions-Reduction-Target-CERT-funding
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)
CESP targets households in low-income areasacross Great Britain to improve energyefficiency standards and reduce fuel bills CESPis also funded by an obligation on energysuppliers It is expected to deliver up to pound350mof efficiency measures 4500 low-income areasare eligible (see wwwdeccgovukencontentcmsfundingfunding_opscespcespaspx)
CESP promotes a whole house approach ndash apackage of energy efficiency measures for theindividual property The programme is deliveredthrough community-based partnershipsbetween local authorities community groupsand energy companies on a house-by-housestreet-by-street basis Up to 400 schemes areexpected to be carried out benefiting around90000 homes and saving nearly 29m tonnes
of CO2 emissions CESP is expected to deliverannual average fuel savings of up to pound300 forparticipating households
CESP started in September 2009 and the firstlsquoliversquo CESP scheme was launched in Walsall inJanuary 2010 By June 2011 there were over150 live schemes Landlords have until the endof 2012 to apply for funds
WM Housing Group in the West Midlandshas set up a framework with eleven deliverypartners linked to energy company funding inwhich the partners have already been selectedusing EU procurement procedures Theframework is open for use by other sociallandlords The first to use it will be WhitefriarsHousing delivering a pound6m CESP scheme intwo areas of Coventry Willenhall andWillenhall Wood
Contact Trevor Passingham Assistant Directorof Asset Management on 024 7676 7144
Leicester City Council has a major CESPscheme focused on its Saffron Lane andBraunstone estates with 792 units of its ownstock and (subject to take-up) adjoining rightto buy properties All have solid walls theCESP scheme will provide external insulationboiler replacement heating controls and loftinsulation lsquotop uprsquo works Of a total scheme
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
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swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
cost of almost pound5m three-quarters will be metby the CESP partner (EON UK PropertyServices) and the remainder from the councilrsquoscapital programme The winning partneroffered CESP of pound2451per tonne of CO2considerably higher than competing offers
Since it began the scheme has expanded toinstall solar PV panels on the roofs of 1045council dwellings (almost 1 of the cityrsquosstock) This is worth a further pound074m in CESPfunding Additional carbon savings haveenabled EON to offer free solid wall insulationto approximately 180 private home ownersliving in the CESP areas
The work started in June 2011 and is due toend in September 2012
Contact Nick Morris Head of EnergyServices NickMorrisleicestergovuk
Northern Ireland Sustainable EnergyProgramme (NISEP)
This is Northern Irelandrsquos supplier obligationprogramme From mid-2011 it includes alsquoCosy Homesrsquo programme for housingassociations which provides
bull a grant of up to pound1000 towards heatingand pound150 towards insulation
bull energy saving light bulbs
bull energy saving advice for tenants
Clearly it is limited in scope and associationswill need to combine this with other funding to undertake fuller retrofit schemesFor the latest information seewwwuregnigovuksocial_environmental
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) provides a guaranteedincome from micro-generation of electricity(eg from photovoltaic panels domestic CHPor small-scale wind turbines) at a rate intendedto provide an attractive investment Every roofis potentially eligible for a solar PV installationthat would attract FiT although of course onlya proportion of a typical stock has roofs thatare readily suitable (south-facing etc)
FiT includes a basic payment for every unit ofpower generated locally (even if used on site)an additional payment for every unit exportedto the electricity grid and a proportion of freeelectricity for the occupier
bull the generation tariff pays for each kWh ofelectricity produced whether used by thetenant or fed back to the grid
bull an additional premium is paid for each unitexported back to the grid
bull substantial savings are also made fortenants by avoiding constantly rising costson the proportion of the electricity theyconsume which is micro-generated
Current tariff levels can be found atwwwgovernment-grantscoukfeed-in-tariffshtmlfeedintariffs but are underreview at the time of going to press Underthe tariff levels in 2011 for a retrofitinstallation generating up to 4Kw the tariffwas 433p per Kw giving a possible annualincome from the generation tariff of pound1434and from the additional premium ndash pound52 whileproviding savings to the tenant of about pound243
As capital costs of equipment fall FiT is set tobe reduced in stages (for new installations)
24
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
from 2012 but the revenue stream is supposedto be sufficient to recover the capital cost andfinancing of a PV installation in approximatelyten years FiT payments continue for 25 yearsso the revenue stream can be deployedelsewhere for the remaining fifteen years suchas in other retrofit work
However the consultation on new FiT levels atthe end of 2011 was controversial in imposingrapids cuts in the tariff and in setting a muchlower tariff for multiple installationlsquoaggregatedrsquo PV schemes of the kind oftenused by social landlords It was also proposedto set a high standard for the primary energyefficiency of a home before it becomes eligiblefor FiT the current position should be checkedat the DECC website (see page 59)
Many landlords have used FiT to secure aproportion of zero carbon electricity forresidents reducing residentsrsquo fuel costs andalso reducing the carbon emissions associatedwith their stock For a solar PV installation theelectricity normally has to be consumed orexported as it is used so savings to the tenantwill depend on the extent to which they are athome in daylight hours It is therefore vital indesigning a FiT scheme to be clear whatcombination of benefits is being sought Ahigher priority given to delivering freeelectricity to residents will result in a lower rateof return to the provider Most providers willwant to balance the benefits in order to secureresident support for schemes
Some landlords have entered into partnershipswith installers (making their roofs available inexchange either for lsquoroof rentrsquo or for some ofthe FiT revenue) others have developed their
own FiT-funded PV programmes The balance ofadvantage appears to favour self-installationbut landlords will need to look at the optionsincluding partnerships with other sociallandlords to achieve economies of scale
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is fittingsolar panels to 500 of its homes to help tenantsto save on their fuel bills They are designed tocut the carbon footprint of the homes at thesame time as providing free electricity duringthe day for residents Tenants benefiting fromfree electricity use during daylight hours willsave about pound100 a year on their bills
Through this scheme GHA are contributing toSustainable Glasgow ndash a partnership that aimsto make Glasgow one of the most sustainablecities in Europe and reduce the cities C02emissions by 30 by 2020 Tenants will beasked if they want to take part in the schemebefore the panels are installed
Any surplus income generated by the Feed inTariff in GHA properties will be reinvested inGHA homes wwwsustainableglasgoworgukNewsPagesGHAcutscarbonfootprintandhelpstenantssavemoneyontheirfuelbillsaspx
There is a review of Scottish social landlordsrsquoexperience with FiT at wwwenergysavingtrustorgukPublications2Local-authoritiesFunding-and-financeHoming-in-on-Feed-in-Tariffs
Practiceexample
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) iscomplementary to FiT in providing paymentsfor heat-generating renewable energyinstallations Qualifying technologies includebiofuel boilers combined heat and power(CHP) some heat pumps and solar waterheating There is of course no export tariff asthere is with FiT as there is no grid to which toexport
RHI started in 2011 and pound3m of the availablefunding is earmarked for social landlords Thewebsite wwwrhincentivecoukRHI hascurrent details including tariff rates The ratefor solar water heating (SWH) is 85pkWh for20 years SWH generates approximately 400kWhm2yr of heat and a typical 4m2
installation would therefore deliver 1600kWhyr and produce pound136yr of RHI revenue
Factors that housing organisations should takeinto account in considering RHI are similar tothose for FiT In a well-insulated andreasonably air-tight house water heatingimposes a bigger thermal load than spaceheating and about half of that load canpotentially be satisfied by SWH with noassociated fuel costs or carbon dioxideemissions
Therefore RHI-funded SWH can potentiallyprovide a significant benefit and it should beconsidered alongside FiT-funded solar PVinstallations possibly in a combinedprogramme It is important not to allocate allthe available roofspace for solar PV thuseliminating the option of SWH
Green Deal and ECO
The Green Deal is the keystone of a nationallow carbon retrofit programme for existingbuildings including dwellings in all sectors Itis the main measure aimed at achieving thegovernmentrsquos interim target of a 34 cut incarbon dioxide emissions by 2020 byeventually retrofitting 14m homes and creating250000 jobs Under the scheme Green Dealproviders will offer householders energyefficiency improvements to their homes at nocost to the householders or landlords Theywill recover their costs from charges levied onthe householdersrsquo fuel bills on a lsquopay-as-you-saversquo (PAYS) basis over periods of up to 25years The capital cost will be funded by theprovider not by government
The Green Deal is complemented by ECO (thenew lsquoenergy company obligationrsquo) intended toprovide pound13bn of extra help annually whereneeded ECO will replace CERT and CESP (seepage 22) Under it energy companies willmake two types of investment and meet thecosts from their own resources (ie they willbe reflected in their overall charges toconsumers) The two types of investment are
bull Carbon saving If a house is lsquohard-to-treatrsquoand the householder cannot fully fundenergy efficiency improvements throughGreen Deal alone ECO will be able toprovide supplementary funding The energycompany will be looking to achieve thebiggest energy saving possible for every pound itspends as its obligation is expressed interms of reducing emissions (not spending acertain amount of money) The main focusis on properties with solid walls
26
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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Launching
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
bull Affordable warmth This smaller componentof ECO will be aimed at low-income andvulnerable households to reduce theirlifetime energy costs and tackle fuelpoverty This element is not currentlyplanned to be available to social landlords
Approved ECO measures are the same asthose under Green Deal but the governmentexpects the carbon saving element to focus onexternal wall insulation ECO providers willhave an incentive to link with the Green Dealbecause they can count the full carbon savingsunder a scheme including the measures
financed under Green Deal towards theirlsquoobligationrsquo (the target they have to meetimposed by government)
The Green Deal charges stay with thedwellings not with the occupants so if aresident moves and ceases to pay the fuel billsthe financial obligation transfers to the nextoccupant The Green Deal is not aconventional loan the occupant is not liablefor the full cost of the work and the charge isonly paid as the benefits are enjoyedHowever the dwelling is improved and itsasset value is increased
Key features of the Green Deal
There are eight key features of the Green Deal The first and most important is that theexpected fuel cost savings must be equal to or greater than the charges attached to thefuel bill This is known as the lsquoGolden Rulersquo
In addition
bull improvement lsquomeasuresrsquo must be from a list of 30 lsquoapprovedrsquo ones and the fuel costssavings must be those associated with the approved measures
bull improvement measures applied to a property must have been recommended by anaccredited adviser following a lsquoGreen Deal assessmentrsquo (based on an EnergyPerformance Certificate ndash see page 51)
bull measures must be installed by an accredited installer
bull Green Deal providers must give householders appropriate advice under the ConsumerCredit Act based on individual circumstances
bull providers must obtain the consent of all relevant parties including the householder andthe landlord
bull any Green Deal charge on the property must be disclosed to prospective occupantsalong with the EPC
bull fuel suppliers must collect Green Deal charges and pass them on to the relevantproviders within the regulatory safeguards for collecting fuel bill payments includingprotection for vulnerable customers
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Launching
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Landlords will be allowed to become providersfor their own dwellings and for dwellingsowned by other landlords and owner-occupiersin their areas If housing organisations do notthemselves become providers then it will beessential to form partnerships with localproviders to gain access to Green Deal fundsAlternatively Green Deal providers may offerworks to tenants directly with a landlordrsquospermission but of course this is bound to raiseissues of lsquowho-is-responsible-for-whatrsquo interms of subsequent maintenance
Note that PAYS funding will be lsquooff balancesheetrsquo for landlords because it will go toGreen Deal providers and be recovered fromresidents via their fuel bills However the assetvalue of the dwellings will increase
The Green Deal is planned to come intooperation during the autumn of 2012 detailswere still under review as this practice briefwent to press
Gentoo was one of five companies selectedfor a PAYS trial The scheme saw 117 Gentoohomes retrofitted and an environmentalcharge placed against the property A smallincrease in rent pays off the cost of the retrofitimprovements and it is intended that savingsin monthly fuel bills will offset this For thosefamilies on housing benefit the increase will becovered Early results show that the plannedsavings are being achieved
More informationwwwgentoogroupcomNewsIt_PAYS_to_trial_green_energy
Guarantee funds
One of the main difficulties in fundingschemes that either will produce revenueor will be eligible for a subsidy such asFiT is how to raise the capital Two setsof associations one in England and onein Wales are exploring the setting upof guarantee funds against which loanscan be raised and which will reduce
their cost
28
Practiceexample
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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Launching
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swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Radian is taking the lead in developing arevolving guarantee fund involving about 20associations in the second phase of theirRetrofit South East project It benefits from thesupport of the 4 of the regionrsquos EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) that isavailable for retrofit work The associations arelikely to contribute part of the funding usingplanned maintenance programmes Theintention is to create an alternative route toretrofit funding that will stand alone from orcomplement the Green Deal
Contact Paul Ciniglio Sustainability ManagerPaulCiniglioradiancouk
In Wales seven associations have workedwith Community Housing Cymru to establish a guarantee fund that will initially be for solar PV retrofit work but can later beextended to other kinds of retrofit The fund has been started with contributions from the seven member associations andsources of capital are now being sought for the PV projects themselveswwwchcymruorgukchc_dev_finalkey-issuesretrofit-revolving-guarantee-fundenbackground-informationcfm
Low Carbon District HeatingThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Fund nowclosed financed sixteen low carbon heatingprojects several of which used Energy Services Companies (ESCos) The Homes andCommunities Agency (HCA) says that it will
continue to support low carbon heatingschemes as part of its normal funding Its report District Heating Good PracticeLearning from the Low Carbon InfrastructureFund has thirteen case studieswwwhomesandcommunitiescoukdistrict-heating-good-practice-learning-low-carbon-infrastructure-fund ESCos are themselves a way of providing lowcarbon heating in ways that are cost-effectiveA number of local authorities have establishedor have partnerships with ESCos They oftenuse combined heat and power (CHP) and aimto recover the initial investment by sellingenergy to consumers
Leicester District Energy CompanyLeicester has established an ESCo which isintended to deliver up to 6 of the councilrsquoscarbon reduction target by providing moreefficient heating to a range of customersincluding 2800 tenants and leaseholders Thescheme makes use of and links together sixexisting district heating schemes New CHPunits will generate electricity as well asproviding heating The scheme also takes inLeicester University and various council officesThere are plans to extend it to other publicusers such as the prison
Contact Debbie White Project Managerdeborahwhiteleicestergovuk
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Mainstream funding
The normal sources of funding available tosocial landlords ndash although of course undersevere pressure ndash may be appropriately used forretrofit work In England this might be decenthomes funding from the HCA (for sociallandlords) or it might be capital receipts orhousing association business surplusesCombining a landlordrsquos own investment sourceswith FiT or RHI might provide an attractivereturn on investment For English localauthorities (and already for Scottish ones) thenew freedoms in managing council housingfinance after April 2012 could provide fundingfor retrofit work
Social landlords are now expected to fund basic work such as loft and cavity wallinsulation from their planned maintenanceprogrammes using the other sources offunding outlined in this chapter for moreambitious retrofit work or for properties (likethose with solid walls) where cheaper methodscannot be used
Through a partnership with the HCA NorwichCity Council received pound175m for a retrofitprogramme for more than 800 council homeswhich included loft and cavity wall insulationexternal wall insulation where required newboilers and new energy-efficient doors andwindows The standard aimed for was thecurrent Building Regulations requirement forrefurbishment and the council aims tocontinue the programme using HRA funds and
intends to lsquofuture proofrsquo the work by aimingfor a higher insulation standardContact Justin Warnes Investment TeamLeader JustinWarnesnorwichgovuk
Other funding sourcesVarious other schemes apply in particularadministrations or are new sources of fundingthat are emerging
bull the Scottish Climate Challenge Fund assists community-based projects and has been used by housing associationswwwscotlandgovukTopicsEnvironmentclimatechangehowyoucanhelpcommunitiesClimateChallengeFund
bull several sources of funding in Scotland aregiven on the EST website (see page 31)includingndash Energy Saving Scotland offers 0 interest
loans to help small and medium-sizeenterprises (SMEs) private sectorlandlords and not-for-profit organisationsto install measures that reduce energyconsumption or to install renewableenergy technologies
ndash the Central Energy Efficiency Fund isavailable to local authorities for energyefficiency and micro-generation schemes
bull ARBED is the strategic energy performanceinvestment programme in Wales whichinvested pound30m in its first stage projectshttpwalesgovuktopicsenvironmentcountrysideenergyefficiencyarbedlang=en
bull projects in London may be eligible for thepound100m London Energy Efficiency Fundwwwleefcouk
30
Practiceexample
bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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bull EU funding sources include the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF) and ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance)Information on EU funding sources for energyefficiency projects is provided by the NationalHousing Federationwwwhousingorgukservicesfunding_and_partnershipseuropean_fundingenergy_fundingaspx
bull Tax Increment Financing (TiF) will soon allowlocal authorities in England to borrowagainst future business rates it couldpotentially be used for retrofitwwwguardiancoukhousing-network2011jul11tif-funding-boost-retrofittingamp)
How to find out more
More information on the Green Deal as it develops can be found at
wwwdeccgovukencontentcmstacklinggreen_dealgreen_dealaspx
Sustainable Homes has published a free 10-page guide for social landlords which can beordered at httpgreensustainablehomescoukGDCS-landing-page
The Department for Energy and Climate Change web page for FiTs iswwwdeccgovukencontentcmsmeeting_energyRenewable_enerfeedin_tarifffeedin_tariffaspx
CIH comments on the FiTs and Green Deal consultations can be seen atwwwcihorgpolicydisplayvpathDCRtemplatedatacihpolicydataThe_green_agenda
The Energy Saving Trust has a web page on funding opportunities for local authorities and social landlords with separate guides for the four parts of the UKwwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesFunding
how will you begin to fund a retrofit programme
have you reviewed the sources of finance available in your region
are you keeping up-to-date on the rapid developments in funding
if not how will you do this
are you prepared for tenants asking for the Green Deal
have you considered forming partnerships with other providers to source the best financial deals
Practice checklistFinancing retrofit
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Launching
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Whatrsquos the issue
Microgeneration is the small-scale generationof heat or power for domestic use often fromrenewable sources such as solar and windMicrogeneration technologies in newdevelopments will be essential to meet thegovernmentrsquos target of all new homes beinglsquozero carbonrsquo by 2016 as well as to contributetowards targets for the existing stock
Here we explain the different options forsmall-scale generation of heat andor powerand set out likely costs and benefits associatedwith them
Actual costs may vary significantly from onescheme to another In some cases providersmay be able to achieve efficiencies if the costof work can be spread across a number ofproperties ndash or if in a new developmentmicrogeneration can be designed into plansfrom an early stage Costs given here areintended only as a general guide
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systemsWhat are they
Solar PV systems comprised of panels wiringisolator switches invertors (a type oftransformer) and safety equipment use energyfrom the sun to create electricity for domesticuse Excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Off-grid systems may use batterystorage but in the UK this is not usual
When can they be used
The panels can be installed on a buildingrsquos roof but only if it is strong enough to supportthem orientated in the right way and notovershadowed by other tall buildings or trees
They can also be mounted on lsquoA framesrsquo foruse on flat roofs or in circumstances wherethey can be free-standing
What are the costs and benefits
The most significant factor in determining thecost of a solar PV system is the amount ofelectricity it is capable of producing The typicalcost is around pound2200 ndash pound2300 for eachkilowatt of electricity the system is able togenerate at times of peak sunlight (kWp) An average system generates around 2kWpand costs around pound5000
Over a year a system of this size wouldtypically produce about 50 of the totalelectricity a household requires dependinghow much power the household uses indaytime
Glasgowrsquos FiT scheme (see page 25) is anexample of a recent solar PV project On page33 is an earlier pilot project
32 Microgeneration
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
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swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Places for People worked on five propertiesin Whitechapel Preston as a template forfuture energy efficiency work The project wasknown as the TwentyFifty Whitechapel Project
Solar panels were installed on each of the fiveproperties Each panel generates 104kWpThe cost of the panels was pound7350 perproperty in 2009
They were fitted as one part of a retrofitpackage which also included the installation ofa ground source heat pump and thedistributing of energy monitors to tenants toencourage energy saving behaviour
More informationwwwpowerhouseeuropeeunccases_resourcescase_studiessingle_viewtx_phecasestudies_pi3[id]=20
Solar water heating systemsWhat are they
Solar water heating uses solar tubes or platesinstalled on a propertyrsquos roof to collect heatfrom the sunrsquos radiation and use it to heatwater for domestic use
When can they be used
Like solar PV systems solar water heatingrequires a roof that is orientated in the rightway and receives direct sunlight for the mainpart of the day Alternatively tubes can bemounted on south-facing walls
What are the costs and benefits
Solar water heating is considerably cheaperthan a solar PV system the average cost isbetween pound3500 and pound5500
A typical solar water heating system can reduce water heating bills by between pound50 and pound85 per year
Wind turbinesWhat are they
Wind turbines harness the power of the windand use it to generate electricity Like solar PVsystems excess energy can be exported to thenational grid Unlike solar there has been ashift away from use of very small-scale windpower as smaller turbines may be less efficientso their use should be considered carefully
When can they be used
The ideal site is on top of a hill with a clearexposure to the wind free from obstructionslike large trees or buildings Small windturbines suitable for urban locations areavailable providing the site is situatedsomewhere with a good wind speed free fromobstructions Power is best converted from DCto AC as close as possible to the turbine tominimise losses
Practiceexample
What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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What are the costs and benefits
Costs will depend heavily on the scale of theinstallation A roof-mounted micro-turbinecosts around pound2000 and would generatebetween 1kW and 2kW of electricity Slightlylarger free-standing turbines are likely togenerate between 25kW and 6kW and costbetween pound15000 and pound24000
Hydro power systemsWhat are they
Hydro systems use the energy in lsquofallingrsquo waterto turn a turbine and generate electricity Thiscould be water that is falling gently forexample a river or steeply as in a conventionaldam
When can they be used
Small-scale hydro power systems can be usedin developments situated close to a source ofelevated water The amount of electricity thatcan be generated depends on the speed of theflow
What are the costs and benefits
Costs are highly variable but a 5kW schemewhich is sufficient to generate enoughelectricity for an average household mightcost between pound20000 and pound25000
Heat pumpsWhat are they
Cold water or air is warmed using heatextracted from the ground from water or theair
In the case of a ground source heat pumpwater is heated in underground pipes knownas a lsquoground looprsquo This heat is then used topower radiators underfloor heating or toprovide hot water Air source heat pumpsabsorb heat from the outside air to heatradiators underfloor heating systems or warmair convectors and hot water in the home
When can they be used
Sufficient space and suitable ground is neededto install a ground loop
What are the costs and benefits
The cost of installing a heat pump is aroundpound8000 ndash pound10000 A ground loop costsbetween pound1000 and pound2500
Once installed there will still be running costsas the heat pump runs on electricity butalthough performance can vary depending onfactors such as their location for every unit ofelectricity that is lsquoinputrsquo to run them they canoften generate an lsquooutputrsquo of up to three unitsof equivalent energy
34
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
In a scheme at Mersey Street in east BelfastConnswater Homes installed a mechanicalheat recovery ventilation system within eachproperty The system recovers heat from staleair in humid rooms like kitchens and suppliesfresh tempered air into the living rooms andbedrooms The system has a facility to boostthe ventilation rates via a light switch sensoror humidistat in addition to a control panellocated within each kitchen which can bemanually adjusted The boost facility has anadjustable run-on timer set up to meetbuilding control requirements
More information housingconnswaterorguk
Biomass boilersWhat are they
Biomass boilers provide heating from theburning of organic materials such as woodchip logs or pellets Although some carbondioxide is emitted when this fuel is burned itis only equal to the amount that was absorbedby the plants previously So as long as newplants continue to grow in place of those usedfor fuel and are burned locally to where theygrow (to minimise emissions involved intransport) the process is much moresustainable than the burning of fossil fuels
When can they be used
The property will need to have a flue fitted sothat smoke can be channelled out of thebuilding and space to store fuel
What are the costs and benefits
Costs vary depending on the exact type ofboiler used but as an example the cost of anautomated pellet-fed boiler is around pound11500Manually-fed boilers or smaller stoves whichjust heat a single room are considerablycheaper
Although a biomass boiler can significantlyreduce CO2 emissions there is still a need tobuy fuel for it so there may not be significantcash savings for the household operating itThis depends mainly on what form of heatingis currently used Replacing electric heatingwith a biomass boiler could save up to pound390per year in reduced bills but replacing gasheating which is usually cheaper than electricmay not lead to a similar saving
Practiceexample
Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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Launching
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Combined heat and power (CHP) unitsWhat are they
CHP units generate electricity from the burningof either fossil or renewable fuels whilst alsocapturing the heat that is produced as a bi-product of this process They are more efficientthan many conventional ways of generatingelectricity where a large amount of heat is lostas steam
When can they be used
CHP units are most effective where there is someneed for heat all year round otherwise if heatingis only needed in the winter the CHP will only beable to operate during those months
What are the costs and benefits
CHP units vary considerably in terms of scale butmicro-CHP units can be small enough to replacean existing household boiler meeting a singlehouseholdrsquos needs for hot water and alsocontributing to their electricity supply Thesetypically cost in the region of pound6000
(See the Leicester example on page 29 Also seethe Swan example on page 10)
36
How to find out more
The following websites provide moredetailed information on microgeneration
The Energy Saving TrustwwwenergysavingtrustorgukGenerate-your-own-energy
DirectGovwwwdirectgovukenEnvironmentandgreenerlivingEnergyandwatersavingRenewableandlowcarbonenergyindexhtm
The Microgeneration Certification Schemewwwmicrogenerationcertificationorg
Solar Trade Association wwwsolar-tradeorguk
British Hydropower Association wwwbritish-hydroorg
Combined Heat and Power Associationwwwchpacouk
have you reviewed whether microgeneration would be a viable option for your stock
have you reviewed the options and the possible funding packages
are you keeping up-to-date with the rapid developments in this field
Practice checklistMicrogeneration
Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Whatrsquos the issue
Fuel poverty is an important issue in greeningyour housing stock as it is likely to be one goalof any action you take and may well be adeterminant of priorities for example forretrofit It is also a driver in government policyand programmes such as the Green Deal
Fuel poverty exists when a household is unableto afford enough fuel for their home to bewarm and well-lit because of their incomeandor the energy inefficiency of their home
There are three main factors that affect rates offuel poverty
bull household income
bull fuel prices
bull fuel consumption
Currently the government defines a householdas lsquofuel poorrsquo when they need to spend morethan 10 of their net income on energy bills inorder to maintain an adequate level of warmthThis includes heating the home but also hotwater and electricity However housing costs arenot included in calculations
In England the coalition government hascommissioned John Hills to carry out a review ofthe way fuel poverty is defined and measured InOctober 2011 Hills published an interim reportwhich proposed an alternative definition of fuelpoverty It suggested that a household should beconsidered to be fuel poor if
(a) they had required costs that were above themedian level and
(b) were they to spend that amount they wouldbe left with a residual income below thepoverty line
Hillsrsquo final report will be published in 2012 andmay lead to a change in the definition of fuelpoverty in England though the government isnot required to accept his recommendations
Current levels of fuel poverty
Based on the governmentrsquos current definitionuSwitch estimates that in 2011 there were63m households in the UK in fuel povertyThis represents almost a quarter of allhouseholds who may struggle to meetessential costs such as that of adequatelyheating their home
In the case of households that pay for theirutilities through prepayment meters there isan additional danger that a shortage of moneyfor the meter could lead them to lsquoself-disconnectrsquo leaving them temporarily withoutelectricity or gas even in the coldest monthsof the year (see the diagram on page 38)
Fuel poverty
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Devolved governments in different parts of theUK have set challenging targets for reducingfuel poverty
bull in England the government resolved to endfuel poverty as far as reasonably practicalin vulnerable households by 2010 anderadicate it completely by 2016
bull the Scottish Government committed toensuring that as far as reasonably practicalno one in Scotland is living in fuel povertyby 2016
bull the Welsh Government resolved to end fuelpoverty in vulnerable households by 2010
and ensure that as far as reasonablypractical no households in Wales shouldlive in fuel poverty beyond 2018
bull in Northern Ireland the governmentcommitted to eliminate fuel poverty invulnerable households and in social housingby 2010 and in all households by 2016
However despite this rates of fuel poverty inthe UK are currently increasing and some ofthe earlier targets have already been missedFigures published by DECC show that thenumber of households in fuel poverty hasbeen steadily increasing since 2004
38
Breakdown ofUK households in fuel poverty
Recent growth of fuel poverty in the UK
Source wwwuswitchcom
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
Hous
ehol
ds (m
illio
ns)
1996 1998 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Total UK fuel poverty Fuel poverty in vulnerable households
The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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The main reason for the sustained increasesince 2004 has been fuel prices According toDECC domestic electricity prices increased by75 between 2004 and 2009 while gasprices increased by 122 over the sameperiod This trend looks unlikely to be reversedin the near future
Rates of fuel poverty are monitored separatelyin England Wales Scotland and NorthernIreland using similar methodology The mostsignificant difference is that in Scotlandpensioners and long-term sick and disabledhouseholds are considered to require a highertemperature than other households in order toenjoy an lsquoadequate level of warmthrsquo Thisvariation may explain Scotlandrsquos higher rate offuel poverty compared to England and Wales
However the highest rates of fuel poverty arecurrently in Northern Ireland The DECCsuggests that this is due to a combination oflower average earnings and a higherproportion of off-gas-grid households who areforced to rely on more expensive fuels
Social housing and fuel poverty
Research by uSwitch shows that single parentspensioners and working class households aremost likely to be in fuel poverty
These are all groups that are likely to be foundin social housing and so social landlords arewell placed to identify them and help tacklefuel poverty This could be done by targetinghouseholds that either
bull meet the demographic profile of ahousehold in danger of fuel poverty suchas tenants over 65
bull appear to be in financial difficulty such asthose in rent arrears or those approachingthe organisation for welfare or debt advice
On pages 41-46 we explain how housingproviders can engage with these tenants andhelp them to make changes to their behaviourleading to lower fuel bills and reducing the riskof fuel poverty
Reductions in fuel poverty benefit every onebecause they can
bull help people to keep warm
bull increase disposable income
bull reduce CO2 emissions ndash as a result ofimproved energy efficiency
bull reduce excess winter mortality ndash in partrelated to cold homes
bull reduce cold-related illnesses
bull enable more elderly people to liveindependently
bull make it possible to release people fromhospital to their homes more quickly
bull reduce costs to the NHS
bull reduce health inequalities
Country Percentage of Year of households in estimatefuel poverty
England 18 2009
Scotland 33 2009
Wales 26 2008
Northern Ireland 44 2008
All 21 2009
Source DECC Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2011
40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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40
do your staff understand fuel poverty and how to identify people at risk
do you know the extent of fuel poverty among your residents
what steps are you taking to tackle it
how does this relate to your programmes for making your stock more energy-efficent
Practice checklistFuel poverty
How to find out more
DECCrsquos annual report on fuel poverty can be found atwwwdeccgovukencontentcmsstatisticsfuelpov_statsfuelpov_statsaspx
The CIH publication Housing the environment and our changing climate contains a moredetailed chapter on Fuel poverty ndash social issues and sustainability It is available fromwwwcihorgthebookshop
Information on fuel poverty in each of the devolved administrations is also available online
English Housing Survey wwwcommunitiesgovukhousinghousingresearchhousingsurveysenglishhousingsurveyehspublications
Scottish House Condition Survey wwwscotlandgovukPublications201011231253500
Scottish Local Authority Report (containing fuel poverty statistics at local authority level) wwwscotlandgovukTopicsStatisticsSHCSLA0709
Living in Wales Survey httpcymrugovuktopicsstatisticsheadlineshousing20101011261jsessionid=W3HrM2GVVS1wMnWjkmskL2BWnpTb1vXPr4xQZxzdpmsYXnkGZy7Y-1406392113lang=en
Northern Ireland House Condition Survey wwwnihegovukindexsp_homeresearch-2house_condition_surveyhtm
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Whatrsquos the issue
Many of the initiatives covered in thispractice brief relate to physicalimprovements to your housing stock toimprove its energy efficiency however thecondition of the buildings themselves is notthe only factor in determining their carbonfootprint Changing tenantsrsquo habits andbehaviour is also crucial to successfullygreening your housing stock
Research suggests that many households arewasteful in their energy consumption Forexample every year TVs in the UK use pound116m worth of electricity while left onstandby If all appliances currently left onstandby were turned off we could take twopower stations off the grid entirely
Reducing this waste should be simple buthabits can be difficult to change as they areoften deeply ingrained and are a result ofunthinking automatic behaviour rather thanconscious decision-making Because mosthouseholds only receive their bills everyquarter it is also easy to forget theimportance of saving energy
For this reason it is essential to engage withthe tenants living in the properties you haveworked on to ensure that they get themaximum benefit from energy-savingmeasures
Raising awareness and changingbehaviour
One of the simplest ways to beginchallenging this behaviour is to provideinformation to tenants about the energy-
saving measures that have been installed intheir home along with advice about energy-saving behaviour
The Energy Saving Trust (wwwenergysavingtrustorguk) has produced a set of topten tips for households to stop wasting energyand money which could be reproduced oradapted for this purpose
bull turn your thermostat down ndash reducing yourroom temperature by 1degC could reduce yourheating bill by 10 ndash and set your heatingand hot water to come on only whenrequired rather than all of the time
bull check that your water is not too hot ndash yourcylinder thermostat should be set to 60degC
bull close your curtains at dusk to stop heatescaping and check for draughts aroundwindows and doors
bull always turn lights off when you leave aroom
bull donrsquot leave appliances on standby andremember not to leave laptops and mobilephones on-charge unnecessarily
bull if possible fill up the washing machinetumble dryer and dishwasher one full loadwill use less energy that two half-loads
bull only boil as much water as you need
bull fix leaking taps and make sure they areturned off properly a dripping hot watertap wastes enough hot water in one weekto fill a whole bath
bull use energy saving light bulbs
bull do a free home energy check such as atwwwenergysavingtrustorgukproxyviewfull165homeenergycheck
Engaging with tenants
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
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Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
This generic energy saving advice can becommunicated widely such as by
bull including it in your existing publishedinformation such as in your tenanthandbook on your website and in articlesin your tenant newsletter or magazine
bull incorporating it into other work designedto help tenants with their money such as rent arrears visits and welfaredebtadvice
bull providing it to all new tenants at sign-up
Swan New Homes provides tenant packs to all its new tenants These include a varietyof useful energy-saving tips and other helpful sustainability-related information such as sustainable shopping advice andinformation on public and other sustainableforms of transport The tips cover all aspectsof daily life from closing curtains at dusk tostop heat escaping at night and waiting until you have a full load before using thewashing machine to advice on buying localand organic produce and nearby recyclingoptions
Tenants are also given The Energy SavingTrustrsquos contact details should they requirefurther information on home energy savingclimate change and other sustainabilityguidance
More informationwwwswanorguksustainability
Orkney Housing Association have launcheda project called Reducing Energy GrowingGreen which is aimed at helping residentsreduce their energy use and in turn save onhousehold bills and cut carbon emissions
The project is encouraging residents to usealternative means of transport as well as givingthem the opportunity to grow their own foodAll tenants and shared owners receivedReducing Energy Growing Green packs whichinclude leaflets on how to claim back the costof bus journeys and a guide to home energysaving
More information wwwohalorguk
However for tenants who are moving intohomes that have been specially designed forenergy efficiency or who have received worksto retrofit their existing home this genericadvice should also be supplemented with moretailored information about those energy-savingfeatures and how to get the maximum benefitfrom them
The cost of providing this information iscomparatively small compared to the costs ofthe works in the first place however without ityou may not achieve the maximum possiblereduction in your carbon footprint or get thebest possible value for the money you haveinvested
Remember that habitual behaviour can be verydifficult to change and there is a danger thatproviding information on its own can lead to an
42
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
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swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
improvement in tenantsrsquo awareness but not alasting change in behaviour In order to beeffective key messages may need to bereinforced on more than one occasion andsupported by evidence that behavioural changesreally do have an effect
Worthing Homes and its partners havecreated an award-winning programme calledRelishtrade (Residents 4 Low Impact SustainableHomes) In its initial phase the programmeworked intensively with a small number ofhouseholds to measure the impact of low-costimprovement works ndash such as draught strippinggap filling and installing easy-to-use boilercontrols and radiator panels ndash combined witheducation about energy-saving behaviour ontheir fuel bills Whilst these works had amaximum budget of pound6500 per home theyfound that over a year a household receivingboth the improvement works and educationenjoyed a reduction of pound368 in their energybills nearly ten times the reduction experiencedby a household that received only theimprovement works
To achieve this saving the households were notonly given an advice pack but also attendedmonthly update meetings on their progress withdata collected from smart meters todemonstrate how much energy key appliancesused and to allow the household to see at firsthand the impact of their behaviour onconsumption Seven months after the end ofthe programme all the pilot households havecontinued to make savings
Worthing Homes is now applying theseprinciples more widely The organisation hasacquired 159 properties from another providerwhich require significant improvement worksAs well as including energy efficiency workthey are also delivering resident educationwhilst the work is being carried out This hasincluded training days for all of the supply chainand lsquotoolbox talksrsquo ndash lsquono Relishtrade trainingyoursquore not allowed on sitersquo
Key aspects of the programme are
bull classification of all residents based on theirhistoric energy use asndash good energy usersndash poor energy users ndash receptive to
educationndash poor energy users ndash not receptive to
education(This allows the organisation to tailor theircommunications to different groups and toprioritise poor energy users where maximumbenefits can be realised)
bull a Relishtrade demonstration flat used todemonstrate the energy-saving features thatwill be installed
bull distribution of energy meters and literatureon saving energy to all residents
bull all contractors working on the site havereceived Relishtrade training and are expectedto pass on information about energyefficiency to residents while they are carryingout their work as a result information aboutenergy saving is delivered through acontinuous dialogue with residentsthroughout the works
More information wwwrelishorg
Practiceexample
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Cross Keys Homes is turning one of its newdevelopments into a lsquocarbon challenge sitersquoAs well as building the properties to highenvironmental standards the Peterboroughbased housing association is encouragingresidents who move into the properties toembrace an energy-efficient lifestyle by lettingthem on a Green Tenancy Agreement
The agreement currently being drafted willinclude a specific expectation that tenantsendeavour to adopt energy-saving behavioursuch as by
bull turning off unnecessary lighting
bull using low-energy items and applianceswhere possible
bull not leaving electrical appliances in lsquostandbyrsquomode
bull ensuring that all energy-efficient bulbs arereplaced with those of a similar type
bull recycling all recyclable waste generatedwithin the property
The Green Tenancy Agreement will besupported by training and an explanatorybooklet to support tenants to embracethis low carbon lifestyle
More informationwwwcrosskeyshomescoukmaincfmtype=GAGENDA
Wakefield District Housing (WDH) isworking with CIH to develop a newqualification called the CIH Award inSustainable Living which will develop the skillsand knowledge of residents wishing to reducetheir carbon footprint CIH hope to make thisqualification available to other housingproviders in the future
WDH is also carrying out energy efficiencyroadshows to engage with tenants and helpthem maximise the benefits of greentechnology Demonstrations are also given totenants of properties where gas centralheating has been installed for the first time inan effort to improve fuel-poor areas
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
44
Practiceexample
Practiceexample
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
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A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
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Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
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Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Affinity Sutton has retrofitted 102 homes ina project called FutureFit FutureFit Living isworking with additional groups of residents sothat some are receiving not only the works butalso advice and support on how to live in themost energy-efficient way A Resident LiaisonOfficer makes a visit to talk to them aboutenergy efficiency and they are also given awelcome pack including advice on energy-saving behaviour and an energy monitor
The organisation is now monitoring energy usein the households that received both worksand advice and those that received only worksor advice in isolation for one year so thatresults can be compared
They are also exploring opportunities to usetheir repairs operatives and contractors todeliver energy saving advice such as by askinggas contractors to spend 10 or 15 minutes atthe end of an appointment to carry out anannual service speaking to the tenant abouthow to use their boiler in the most efficientway
More informationwwwaffinitysuttoncomabout_uscorporate_responsibilityenvironment_and_sustainabilityour_homesfuturefit_projectaspx
Providing energy saving products
A further way in which housing providers canhope to influence behaviour is by providingtenants with useful products to help them saveenergy such as energy-saving light bulbswater-efficient shower heads or energymonitors
Providing a small number of energy-savingbulbs to tenants free of charge either onceworks are complete or when they move in totheir new energy-efficient home can be aneffective way of altering their buying habits sothat they are more likely to purchase themagain in future Energy monitors can help toovercome one of the most significant obstaclesto energy-saving behaviour tenantsrsquo inabilityto lsquoseersquo the savings that are being made as aresult of their changes The website DirectGov(wwwdirectgovuk) estimates that peoplewho fit home energy monitors typically findthat their energy use drops by between 5and 15
This does not necessarily have to come at ahigh cost to the organisation For exampleenergy-saving light bulbs typically cost only pound1ndash pound2 per bulb and many organisations may beable to acquire energy-saving products for freeor for considerably less than their retail pricethrough partnerships with suppliers or energycompanies
Practiceexample
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
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Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
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Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
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swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Overcoming tenant apathy
Tenant apathy can be a significant barrier togreening your stock
For example in their FutureFit project AffinitySutton reported that even when energyimprovement works were offered free ofcharge and from a trusted party take-up waslow and gaining access was an issue Theyfound that
bull a basic invitation to take part in a free eco-project sent to more than 800 residentsresulted in only a 5 response rate
bull out of nearly 300 phone calls made offeringfree energy upgrade works 52 said no
bull among those residents who initially agreedto the works a further 23 later withdrewtheir permission
Overcoming a lack of enthusiasm may be asignificant challenge for providers that need tocarry out improvements with residents in situIt is likely that much work may be needed toraise the profile of programmes to green yourhousing stock to promote the benefits of itand to publicise success stories such ashouseholds that have saved money as a resultof works
This is likely to be most effective if focused onthe benefits that works can have for tenantssuch as a warmer more comfortable homeand possible lower energy bills
46
How to find out more
This section builds on advice andguidance on engaging with residents inour previous practice brief Greeningyour Organisation It is available fromour website atwwwcihorgthebookshop
do you have a strategy to promote energyawareness among residents
what are the success stories you can sell
how will residents know if they are savingenergy
have you looked at the imaginative waysother landlords have used to engageresidents and the obstacles they met
Practice checklistEngaging with tenants
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
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Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
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Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Whatrsquos the issue
Many landlords begin to green their existingstock through piecemeal projects ndash pilotschemes taking advantage of fundingopportunities etc But a strategic approach isvital for several reasons
bull achieving targets and assessing impact ndashyou should establish targets for improvingthe performance of your stock and thestrategy will be your tool for achieving thetargets and monitoring progress
bull value for money ndash if you have a certainamount of finance available where andhow would it best be spent
bull worst first or easiest first ndash you need tomake some hard decisions about the partsof your stock with lowest energy efficiencydo they have a long-term future and whatrsquosthe right amount to invest now If financeis limited is it better to achieve some quickwins elsewhere
bull new funding opportunities ndash if you have astrategy you are much better placed totake advantage of funding opportunitiesand defend the budgets you already have
bull asset management ndash assuming you have anasset management strategy energyefficiency and the investment requiredshould be integral to it otherwise it isincomplete and not fit-for-purpose
The basis of the approach in this practicebrief is that greening is an essential part ofeffective asset management and therefore animportant driver of planned maintenance andother aspects of the organisationrsquos overallasset management strategy
What it should cover
The essential strategic issues are these
bull the context ndash the organisationrsquos overallenvironmental objectives as discussed inthe practice brief Greening yourorganisation
bull your overall approach to retrofit ndash what willbe the balance between quick action andlonger-term work to achieve high energyefficiency standards
bull objectives standards and targets to beachieved ndash consider a target or more likelya stepped series of targets to progressivelyupgrade your stock taking account of othertargets such as achieving the Decent HomesStandard
bull appropriate measuring tool or index ndashbased on appraisal of different measuresand their appropriateness in yourcircumstances
bull current state of the stock ndash based onavailable data and possibly sample surveywork using the adopted measure(s)
bull sources of finance and feasibility ofsecuring funds ndash see pages 21-31
bull a programme to meet the adopted targetsndash set in relation to available funding andwithin the wider asset managementstrategy with clear responsibilities andprogramme dates
bull relationship to other asset managementissues
bull how and at what stages to engage withresidents ndash both as residentsrsquo groups and asindividual customers (see previous section)
Developing a strategy for your stock
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
bull means to monitor progress against theprogramme and targets includingmonitoring of properties in use ndash to judgewhether targets have been met andefficiencies have been achieved in practiceand if not what action to take
Where indicated some of these issues arecovered in detail in other chapters
Approaches to the work
It is worth thinking about your overallapproach to the work at the outset especiallyif you have trialled retrofit work with somepilot projects There are intricate linksbetween the standards that you aim for theoverall approach to retrofit that you adoptthe available finance and the timescales Allof these have to be set in the context ofother refurbishment or energy-related workthat you are doing as part of your assetmanagement strategy
Obviously more ambitious standards willneed more money and perhaps take longer toachieve On the other hand cheaper lsquoquickwinsrsquo may be easy to implement but notmake a great deal of difference In practiceyour approach is likely to be a mixed onebased on the practicalities of what can beachieved with available resources and theimperatives of other parts of the assetmanagement strategy It is likely to be acombination of
1 Quick wins ndash measures which save energyquickly and at low cost such as draughtproofing and low-energy light bulbs thatare either compatible with bigger schemes
respond to resident demands or where costis not a big factor if changes are made later
2 Adapting existing planned programmes ndashfor example reroofing or installing newwindows ndash to both raise energy efficiencystandards to the required level and ndash ifpracticable ndash do the work in such a waythat it facilitates major retrofit schemes later(for example making new roofs larger toallow for future cladding of external walls)
3 Major retrofit schemes ndash raising theperformance of the stock to your targetstandards over a period of time withdedicated resource streams or takingadvantage of government programmes
You will need to revisit these initial decisionsabout your approach of course when youdecide your actual programme
Standards and targets ndash what isrequired
Setting carbon emissions targets themselves isnot straightforward The high-level target forreducing UK emissions is 80 by 2050 andwhile this applies across all sectors it has beenargued that to achieve it housing needs tomake even higher savings ndash as they are moreeasily achieved in buildings than in saytransport Nevertheless the 80 target forhousing is broadly supported the implicationsfor the sector overall (public and private) areset out in the UK Green Building Council(2008) report Low Carbon Existing Homes The details of the UK target and how it breaksdown and the equivalents for the rest of theUK are set out on page 49
48
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Part of the 80 reduction can be achieved bymeasures separate from the building fabric eggreener electricity supplies and more efficientappliances Also the interim targets (see boxabove) provide a guideline for medium-termaction although of course the longer-term targetneeds to be kept firmly in mind in planning aretrofit programme so as not to take actionwhich makes it more costly or difficult to achievelater The Committee on Climate Change whichadvises the government on targets has said thateven to achieve the 2020 target lsquomostrsquo homeswill need loft and cavity wall insulation and twomillion homes with solid walls will need externalinsulation In addition there will have to belsquosignificant penetrationrsquo of renewable heat (see wwwthecccorgukcarbon-budgetsscenarios-to-meet-budgets) To achieve the2050 target much more will of course beneeded
How are these targets reflected inregulatory standards
Unfortunately the regulatory requirements onsocial landlords are much more limited thanthese targets would suggest (see box on page50) This effectively leaves landlords to settheir own targets against the higher-levelnational ones mentioned above
The Energy Act 2011 gives powers to preventprivate landlords from letting properties after2018 that do not achieve an EPC level of atleast lsquoErsquo (see page 51) From 2016 it alsoentitles private tenants to require landlords todo energy efficiency improvements Althoughthe standards do not apply to social landlordsthey should aim to meet them and bring all lsquoFrsquoor lsquoGrsquo rated stock up to a higher level
Carbon reduction targets
The UK target is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 relative to 1990 levels by 2050 The interim target is a 34 reduction by 2020 In addition the government is obliged by the Climate Change Act 2008 to set and meet five-year lsquocarbon budgetsrsquotowards meeting these targets These have to cover three budget cycles (five-yearperiods) ahead
In Wales the Welsh Government has a target to reduce emissions by 3 annually from2011 using a 2006-10 baseline in areas of devolved responsibility It also has a target toreduce all emissions by 40 by 2020
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target to reduce greenhouse gasemissions by 42 by 2020 and 80 by 2050 (using a 1990 baseline)
The Northern Ireland Executive currently has a target to reduce emissions by 25 by2025
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Standards and targets ndash what should weaim for
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual Fit forthe Future suggests four overall objectives fora strategy
bull higher resource efficiency ndash energy waterand waste
bull reducing carbon emissions
bull adapting and protecting stock against theimpact of climate change
bull reducing fuel poverty
You may want to adopt some higher objectiveslike these to guide your strategy and ensure itachieves all your main aims not just emissionstargets
The main problem in aiming for a very hightarget is inevitably cost As the diagram onpage 51 shows costs and complexity both riserapidly for targets above about 65 Thismight suggest setting an eventual target forthe fabric of most of the stock in the 60-65range while having a much higher target fornew build and perhaps certain parts of thestock where achieving a very high target iscost-effective Fitting a retrofit programme intoan overall asset management strategy mayalso influence targets for different parts of thestock (see page 51)
50
Current regulatory requirements for the existing stock
In England and Northern Ireland there are no regulatory or other requirements to meetspecific targets apart from the limited coverage in the Decent Homes Standard solandlords have to set their own taking into account the overall targets described aboveand relating them to their decent homes work
In Scotland the Scottish Housing Regulator monitors progress towards achieving theScottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) through annual returns from registered sociallandlords and from councils The SHQS stipulates a minimum SAP rating (see below) of 50for gas-heated dwellings and 60 for other dewllings
Similarly in Wales the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) stipulates a minimum SAPrating of 65 for all social housing stock In Scotland the minimum SAP rating stipulatedfor projects financed under the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is 65-70 formodernised housing
The Scottish Government is working to develop a climate change standard for socialhousing that goes beyond the SHQS Consultation on this is due out in 2012 and thisstandard will include more rigorous energy efficiency targets
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
The strategy requires both overall target(s) andinterim ones against which to assess progressAs well as setting upper level targets and stepsto achieving them it is useful to set minimumtargets or thresholds that you aim to achievewith the first being set over a short time-frameFor example you might want to set a targetminimum SAP rating across your stock to beachieved over (say) the next two yearstogether with a commitment to reduce oreliminate fuel poverty among tenants bycertain dates Minimum targets will have tocomply with the respective housing qualitystandards (see box on page 50)
Clearly it also makes sense to spend theavailable funding so as to achieve the biggestemissions savings per pound spent while at thesame time not prejudicing your ability toachieve higher emissions targets later Forexample if a known amount of finance isavailable over (say) the next five years ndash otherthings being equal ndash it may be better to spendit on basic improvements to a lot of propertiesthan to invest in achieving a very high standard
in a few You will need to balance out thesefactors in setting your lower-level targets
Choosing an appropriate measuring toolor indexThere are two prescribed measures of energyefficiency and some optional ones The mostbasic assessment is the one associated withEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Theindustry-standard measure is however theStandard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratingHere is a brief guide to the different measures
EPCsEnergy Performance Certificates (EPCs) arerequired for any property which is to be let orre-let They are also the basis for Green Dealassessments (see page 26) They are based onthe Reduced Data SAP (see page 52) EPCsmust be prepared by qualified DomesticEnergy Assessors (DEAs) accredited throughDCLG DEAs can be independent contractorsor in-house staff in either case their work ismonitored by their accreditation scheme
How costs and complexity increase with higher emission targets
Source An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment Construction Products Association (2010)
Incr
easin
g co
st a
nd co
mpl
exity
(pound)
Percentage reduction of carbon dioxide emissions0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The most cost-effective improvementsare in this band (which moves to the
right as fuel prices increase)
Quick fixes are thisend of the curve
Major projects are thisend of the curve
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
The EPC banding system is a rough guide tothe current state of the stock It is similar tothe rating of domestic boilers ranging fromlsquoGrsquo (very poor) to lsquoArsquo (highly efficient) All yourstock will need to be in the lsquoArsquo or lsquoBrsquo bands toachieve the UK carbon reduction target
SAP
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)energy rating is a method of estimating thefuel use fuel costs and carbon dioxideemissions in dwellings based on the BuildingResearch Establishment Domestic EnergyModel It is a reduced version of the NationalHome Energy Rating (see below) and assumesstandard occupancy and a standard locationfor each dwelling being assessed SAP ratingsuse sample surveys of dwelling types whichare then lsquoclonedrsquo across the stock The aimshould be to start with minimal SAP data andprogressively strengthen it to obtain anaccurate assessment for the whole stock SAPsoftware can also be used for comparativeevaluation of improvement options (providingthe base data are accurate of course)
SAP is used for the statistical returns requiredin the four UK administrations and to assesscompliance with the Scottish and WelshHousing Quality Standards
Reduced Data SAP (RDSAP) is a reducedversion of the full SAP in which lsquoleast unlikelyrsquodefault data are substituted for items that aredifficult or time-consuming for surveyors toestablish (eg floor insulation thicknesswindow area) Although RDSAP facilitatescost-effective energy surveys it is less
accurate than the full SAP and less useful forevaluating retrofit options
More informationhttpprojectsbrecouksap2005
National Home Energy Rating (NHER)
The main advantage of the NHER over SAP isthat it takes account of location and also awider range of energy uses in the home andso is more accurate
More informationwwwnesltdcoukindexphp
EcoHomes XB
EcoHomes XB is a desk-based self-assessmenttool designed to
bull assess and monitor environmentalperformance of housing stock
bull track improvements made duringmaintenance and minor improvements
bull provide a constant monitor of performanceagainst a benchmark
bull help to prioritise maintenance andrefurbishment works
bull assist and guide overall performance
It covers seven issues management energytransport pollution water health andwellbeing and waste EcoHomes XB is really anoverall approach to retrofit and is also thebasis for the Fit for the Future guide
EcoHomes XB A guide to the methodology forexisting buildings can be downloaded atwwwsustainablehomescoukpublication_detailaspxpid=5d4280ec-9d8a-42c3-82d7-f44598757eec
52
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
T-ZERO
T-ZERO is an interactive web-based tool whichhelps to identify optimal low-carbon solutionstailored to specific dwelling types Establish adwelling type and T-ZERO will estimate its fuelbill and carbon footprint then identifyinsulation heating and renewable energyoptions based on a defined budget andrefurbishment objectives
More information wwwtzeroorguk
Assessing the current state of the stock
Crucial to the assessment of the existing stock isof course availability of reliable information onrelevant performance aspects such as theinsulating value of existing walls A stockcondition survey is the ideal opportunity to dothis but if one is not scheduled then acombination of existing property recordspossibly supplemented with sample surveys may be sufficient at least to provide an initialpicture However there is no substitute forcomprehensive information on the stock as thestrategy evolves because past programmes mayhave had varying standards (eg in thicknessesof loft insulation) and access problems andother design snags may differ even withinproperty types These issues will not be evidentfrom data which are lsquoclonedrsquo from one propertyto another
The aim should therefore be to get both anoverall assessment of the environmentalperformance of the stock and sufficient detailon individual property types to guide retrofitwork The EcoHomes XB tool for examplerequires the following data
bull age of property
bull property type eg terrace flat etc
bull wall construction (this can be deduced fromage and type if survey data is not available)
bull roof insulation thickness
bull boiler and heating controls type
bull local authority recycling provision
bull sanitary fitting types
bull SAP rating (where a full SAP rating has notbeen calculated a default SAP rating basedon property age and type is supplied in theguidance document)
bull location in respect of transport links
The study should specifically identify lsquohard-to-treatrsquo houses that will need careful considerationin setting the strategy (see page 54)
After compiling an initial picture the aim shouldbe to create either a separate housing stockenergy database or to incorporate adequateenergy data in an overall stock database usedfor asset management purposes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Setting a programme to meet adoptedtargets
The HCA Green Homes Retrofit Manual includes(in section 3) a step-by-step approach toassessing the work that might be carried outand developing a programme that meets yourtargets The steps can be summarised as
bull steps that should have been taken already ndashenergy-efficient light fittings 270mm loftinsulation etc ndash often with CERT or similarfunding identify any gaps in currentpreviousprogrammes
bull measures to be included in enhancedplanned maintenance programmes ndash such aslow u-value windows and fitting high-efficiency boilers
bull more ambitious schemes to achieve higher(60-65) carbon savings ndash such as solid wallinsulation ndash that may require special funding
More guidance on the actual retrofit work is onpages 13-20 This chapter also discussesmeasuring the cost effectiveness of differentmeasures so you achieve the biggest savingswith the available funds
The key is to develop a new more radicalplanned maintenance programme in whichenvironmental objectives weigh equally withothers The current programme will specify thestandards to be achieved for all the key buildingcomponents (roof walls kitchen bathroomwindows doors and heating) and how they will be met The modified retrofit-basedprogramme will enhance these standards toreflect environmental objectives and provide amodified timetable (linked to availableresources) to deliver the targets set
Relationship to other asset managementissues
In addition to planned maintenance there areother aspects of your overall assetmanagement strategy that need to influenceand be influenced by your retrofit programmeand targets
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
Carrying out DHS work (or SHQS and WHQS inScotland and Wales) provides a goldenopportunity to increase specifications whilekeeping labour costs to similar levels Forexample
bull specifying thicker insulation
bull fitting the most energy-efficient (lsquoArsquostandard) boilers
bull raising window specifications to achievelower u-values
bull removing cold bridges where feasible
bull specifying low-flow taps
One reason for combining retrofit with thiswork is of course to avoid going into thesame properties twice within a short time
54
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Wakefield and District Housing isimproving all of its 31000 properties to thelsquoWakefield Standardrsquo As part of the work abasic retrofit of each property is carried outwhich includes
bull installation of an A-rated boiler where an oldboiler is deemed inefficient
bull thermostatic controlled radiators
bull electric shower
bull low-flow taps
bull dual flush toilets
bull topping up of cavity and loft insulation
The improvement work is due to be completedin April 2013 when an advanced retrofit willtake place on all properties that require it Thisproject is expected to take four years tocomplete and will include
bull solar photovoltaic panels installed onproperties being re-roofed
bull installation of solar thermal heating that willprovide warm water throughout the property
bull external insulation for all non-traditional andbrick wall properties
The work is part of WDHrsquos aim to become ascarbon neutral as possible by 2016 Theorganisation has set aside pound50m to achieve thistarget as part of the Climate Change Strategywhich was approved by the board in April 2008
More informationwwwwdhcoukcommunityclimatechangePagesdefaultaspx
Maintenance standards
Can you make cost-effective energy-savingimprovements to your maintenance spec againsaving on labour costs by incorporating thechanges in routine works For example
bull when a boiler is replaced make it thehighest standard and replace the heatingcontrols at the same time as the boiler
bull if paintingrepairing windows considerreplacement instead
Building Regulations standards
Work to build or refurbish dwellings mustcomply with the Building Regulations (BuildingStandards in Scotland) They include energyefficiency requirements eg in the BuildingRegulations part L which the government is inthe process of strengthening However currentrequirements are still very basic and will nottake you very far towards meeting ambitioustargets
Voids specification
Having an empty property enables you toconsider
bull replacing bulbs with energy-efficientalternatives
bull checking insulation to ensure it is to currentstandards
bull considering more radical measures that arebest done with no tenant being present
Void inspections should include an energyperformance checklist along with any furtherchecks that are carried out Void propertieswill require an EPC before re-letting if one isnot yet available
Practiceexample
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Demolitions and disposalsAsset management takes a long-term view ofthe viability of the stock against demand fordifferent types of property in differentlocalities The strategy might have triggerpoints for considering disposal or demolitionor rebuilding these all need to take account ofenvironmental issues and costs alongsideother criteria The most economical answer forlsquohard-to-treatrsquo stock with poorestenvironmental standards might (for example)be demolition and rebuilding not retrofitMore information is available on this from
bull Association for the Conservation of Energys report Hard to Treat Homeswwwukaceorgindexphpoption=com_contentamptask=viewampid=593ampItemid=77
bull ESTrsquos tool for examining hard-to-treat optionswwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessHousing-professionalsInteractive-toolsHard-to-treat-homes
Other opportunitiesOther opportunities to check on energyperformance arise in regular inspections of gas and electricity fittings Replacing heatingsystems in properties may also be considered as a separate programme eg because of aplanned ESCo micro-generation of powermight be considered because of FiT (see page 24) The EST has produced a helpful guide to the lsquotrigger pointsrsquo for various kinds of retrofit work (see the diagram below)
56
Source EST (2010) Sustainable refurbishment
lsquoTrigger pointsrsquo for different retrofit opportunities
Wall insulationRoof insulationFloor insulationHeating controlsCylinderpipe insulationAirtightness improvementsEfficient ventilationWindowsLow energy lightingEnergy efficient applicances
Measures to consider Mov
ing
in o
r out
Exte
ndin
g
Loft
conv
ersio
n
Addi
ng a
cons
erva
tory
New
kitc
hen
New
bat
hroo
m
Re-ro
ofin
g
Re-p
laste
ring
Repl
acin
gw
indo
ws
Re-w
iring
Re-fl
oorin
g
New
hea
ting
Repl
acem
ent
boile
rRe
plac
emen
t hot
wat
er cy
linde
r
Re-re
nder
ing
Opportunity
Good opportunityPossible opportunity
Key
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Following-through and monitoringprogress
As with any other action plan the strategyneeds a clearly set programme with targetsarrangements for monitoring progress and setresponsibilities for taking action if targets arenot met
Ensuring that energy-efficiency targets are notjust theoretical but are actually achieved is vitalin part because a crucial factor is how theretrofitted home and any new devices areactually used and how the property issubsequently managed and maintained Someof the steps needed are these
bull residents are briefed about the proper use ofinstalled systems from the outset and atevery change of tenancy there is follow upto ensure that this is effective and any issuesresolved
bull repair and maintenance work does not affectkey components such as insulation or air-tightness barriers
bull building systems (eg heat pumpsventilation systems) are serviced as requiredto maintain their intended performance
bull the landlordrsquos housing stock database isupdated to include the specificenvironmental characteristics of thedwellings eg materials products andsystems installed in them and otherinformation such as responsibility for roof-mounted solar PV systems
bull the varying service lives of building elements(ie fabric products and services includingrenewable energy systems) and components(eg inverters in solar PV systems) areprovided for in the asset management plan
bull replacement materials products and systemsdeliver energy and environmentalperformance at least equal to that of theoriginal systems
How to find out more
The EST has a range of tools andguidance for social landlords across theUK This includes
bull the Housing Energy ManagementMatrix which asks social landlords keyquestions about their strategies andaims to help them cover all theimportant issues
bull guidance on surveys types ofdatabases and prioritising retrofit work
bull detailed guidance on energy plans andtargets
bull ways of monitoring progress
See wwwenergysavingtrustorgukbusinessBusinessLocal-AuthoritiesSocial-housing
have you decided your overall approach tothe work
what objectives do you want to meet
how do these relate to national targets
what standards and measures will you adopt
have you properly integrated energy-efficiency work with your asset managementstrategy
Practice checklistDeveloping a strategy
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target
CESP Community Energy Saving Programme
CHP combined heat and power
CO2 carbon dioxide
DEA Domestic Energy Assessor
DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change
DHS Decent Homes Standard
ECO Energy Company Obligation
ELENA European Local Energy Assistance
EPC Energy Performance Certificate
ERDF European Regional Development Fund
ESCos Energy Services Companies
EST Energy Saving Trust
FiT Feed in Tariff
kWp kilowatt peak (a measure of the power of a solar electricity installation)
LED light emitting diodes (lighting)
LZC low or zero carbon
NHER National Home Energy Rating
NISEP Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Pa Pascals (a measure of air pressure)
PAYS pay-as-you-save
PV photovoltaic (as in Solar PV)
RDSAP Reduced Data SAP
RHI Renewable Heat Incentive
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure
SHQS Scottish Housing Quality Standard
SMEs small and medium-size enterprises
SWH solar water heating
TIF Tax Increment Financing
WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard
58 Glossary
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is theprofessional body for people involved in housingand communities
We are a registered charity and not-for-profitorganisation We have a diverse and growingmembership of over 22000 people ndash both inthe public and private sectors ndash living andworking in over 20 countries on fivecontinents across the world
We exist to maximise the contribution thathousing professionals make to the wellbeing ofcommunities Our vision is to be the first point ofcontact for ndash and the credible voice of ndash anyoneinvolved or interested in housing
Finding out more
Chartered Institute of Housingwwwcihorg
Committee on Climate Changewwwthecccorguk
Construction Products Associationwwwconstructionproductsorguk
Department of Energy and ClimateChangewwwdeccgovuk
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homeswwweephorguk
Energy Saving Trustwwwenergysavingtrustorguk
Existing Homes Alliancewwwexistinghomesallianceorgukwwwexistinghomesalliancescotlandcouk
Passivhauswwwpassivhausorguk
Sustainable Homeswwwsustainablehomescouk
The Carbon Trustwwwcarbontrustcouk
Zero Carbon Hubwwwzerocarbonhuborg
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes
StreamlightLondon
Indigo ApartmentsRomford
Beechwood VillageBasildon
Oldchurch ParkRomford
Streamlight Tower middot 9 Province Square middot London middot E14 9PE
1 amp 2 bed Apartments amp 2 3 amp 4 bed Houses
With our new product EZIBUY - buy 100
of your home for 85 of the price
Call Now 0800 019 5005wwwbeechwoodvillagecouk
Oldchurch Park by Swan New Homes
is a brand new development of stylish
contemporary 1-5 bedrooms properties
Call now to register 0800 819 9390wwwoldchurchparkcouk
All prices correct at time of going to press Photography and CGI are indicative only subject to scheme rules on selected homes only
10 Churchill Avenue Basildon Essex SS14 3SG Oldchurch Road Romford Essex RM7 0BE
A modern development of 1 2 amp 3 bedroom
apartments to meet the busy lifestyles of
todayrsquos young professional homeowners
Call Now 0800 083 8632wwwindigoapartmentscouk
1 Autumn Court Spring Gardens Romford Essex RM7 9BN
High specification 1 2 3 bedroom
apartments in a 24 storey tower in
Docklands with fantastic views of the city
and the River Thames
Call Now 0800 542 7558wwwstreamlighte14couk
Launching
14th15thApril
Weekend
swannewhomescouk
Superb Developmentsby Swan New Homes