The energy efficiency of 1,024 properties owned by Tor Homes, has been assessed by a team of ‘Domestic Energy Assessors’ over the past two months.
The specially trained, independent assessors have been looking at the energy efficiency of homes thanks to a grant received from the Housing Corporation and the Department of Communities and Local Government.
Tor Homes, is one of 82 housing associations in the UK to successfully bid for funds to take part in a national pilot scheme to undertake Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s) on its properties.
Tor Homes secured a grant of £44,166 and matched it with another £44,166 of Company money.
The certificates, like the signs on fridges, will provide A-G ratings on the energy efficiency of a home, plus advice on how to improve this energy efficiency.
EPC’s are a central plank of the government’s climate changing strategy and are aimed at driving down carbon emissions from homes and reducing householders’ bills.
Energy Performance Certificates will be required for all social housing from October 2008 when a new tenancy is created.
John Taylor, Maintenance Planning and Construction Manager for Tor Homes explains: “This is a great opportunity for Tor Homes to gain experience of EPC’s before they become compulsory and an efficient way to secure Government funding to reduce cost to tenants once they become compulsory next year. It also makes us key players in the work to drive down carbon emissions.”
“We have already done a lot of work on improving our homes and the assessments found that on the whole, our housing stock had a good energy efficiency rating.”
The report tells the housing company about energy usage and how much carbon dioxide the property produces each year. It recommends ways of improving the homes, so that these can be built into maintenance plans.
Each tenant will receive a copy of the EPC and every time a property is re-let, the new tenant will get a copy of the certificate.
To find out more about Energy Performance Certificates, please click on the link below.
