John Smith
17 October, 2024
News

Wall insulation project helps reduce energy expenses for Eastwood homes

Works have been progressing to install wall insulation to 84 properties across Broxtowe, with the majority being located on Princes Street and Wellington Street in Eastwood, an area of conservation known for its Victorian terraced housing.

Coun Milan Radulovic, Broxtowe Council leader, Coun Ken Woodhead, Deputy Mayor of Eastwood, residents and insulation workers in Eastwood.

Due to the nature of keeping the traditional look of the properties, extensive work went into the planning of these works to enable planning approval for the external insulation.

Broxtowe Council appointed Westdale North Limited to carry out the works who proposed using an Artbrick system.

The installers normally pride themselves in providing an even, neat finish to brick effect.

However, in this case they have had to work hard to provide a 'distressed' look along with weathering to replicate the existing 160-year-old brickwork.

Coun Vanessa Smith (Lab) portfolio holder for housing, said: “As a council we’re committed to ensuring that our residents have a good quality home and so this project is key to our housing delivery strategy.

"We’re also getting to that time of year again where energy bills are going to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind, so this work will not only ensure a good quality home but will also help reduce our resident’s energy bills.’

Princes Street resident Oliver Hawryluk, whose house has undergone the works, said: “I’m happy with what’s happening, my home feels warmer and less drafty, even my dogs feel comfortable.”

Domestic emissions from gas and electricity usage in homes across the borough made up 32 per cent of the total carbon emissions in 2022.

Around half of the heat lost from houses is via uninsulated walls.

By adding external wall insulation to these properties, the council says residents will benefit from improved thermal efficiency of the property making it a more comfortable home whilst having up to 45 per cent of the household heat retained.

Financial savings on energy bills have been estimated by the Energy Saving Trust at £190 per mid terrace property, and carbon savings of 500kg of CO2 per mid terrace property per year.

Retrofit projects such as this form part of the council’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions as outlined within the Climate Change and Green Futures Strategy 2023-2027.

Coun Helen Skinner (Lab), portfolio holder for environment, said: “This project really shows our commitment to reducing carbon emissions not just on new build houses, but existing housing in the borough like these in Eastwood.

"This is just one example of our retrofit housing programme, which is key in delivering our strategic ambitions for Broxtowe.

The council has been awarded £831,845 over the 2023-2025 financial years as part of a consortia bid to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Wave Fund wave 2.1, led by the Midlands Net Zero Hub.