People living in 113 homes owned by Curo are set to benefit from a £2.07m programme of improvements designed to help them save money on energy bills and reduce the carbon emissions of their properties.
The investment includes £1.03m awarded through the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), with Curo funding £1.04m directly.
Curo is one of several housing associations to secure funding through this scheme as part of a joint bid made with the South West Net Zero Hub. The Hub works across the wider South West to deliver net zero energy projects and is hosted by the West of England Combined Authority.
The improvements will target some of Curo’s least energy efficient properties and include measures that will make a lasting difference to these homes’ energy performance. These will be mostly “fabric first” measures such as roof and wall insulation as well as some solar electricity installations, solar hot water and improved heating and controls that will lower energy bills and keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Curo Director for Asset Management & Procurement, Matt Steele, says: “We’re thrilled to have been awarded this funding which will help us to transform the energy efficiency of these homes.
“In our recent Greener Homes survey Curo residents told us they want us to prioritise measures like these that will lessen the environmental impact of our properties and make them easier to keep warm and dry.
“This is the start of an energy investment programme that will continue for years after we’ve upgraded these 113 homes and will result in almost all our customers’ homes having an energy performance rating of A, B or C by 2028/29.”
These upgrades are part of a wider Curo commitment to invest £142m across Curo customers’ homes over the next 10 years, prioritising the thermal performance of each home and tackling some common causes of damp and condensation.
21 per cent of total carbon emissions in the UK come from our homes, according to the Energy Saving Trust, and these home upgrades will help reduce emissions from households in the South West, helping to meet the UK’s net zero ambitions.
Curo has secured this money as part of the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero’s £778m Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund for energy efficiency upgrades in social housing across the country.
Jon Rattenbury, Programme Manager for the South West Net Zero Hub, said: “This is fantastic news for households in the South West and it takes us a step closer to achieving the region’s net zero targets. We look forward to working with our partners to deliver sustainable home upgrades that will make homes warmer and address fuel poverty.”
Photo: Some of the home upgrades will include solar photo-voltaic panels to generate electricity and reduce residents' energy bills, like these fitted by Curo on properties in Bath.