Social housing: net zero progress report - quarter 2 2024

Project Title: Smith Street Way Pilot

Project Organisation: Loreburn Housing Association

Technology Type(s): ASHP, Solar PV, Battery Storage, Triple Glazed Windows, Door Upgrades, Loft and Ceiling Insulation, Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery

Location(s): Beattock, Dumfries and Galloway Council

Grant Value: £402,107

Completion Date: March 2024

Project Headline: Project involved retrofitting 4 properties using different approaches to EPC Band B to evaluate and compare the measures involved

Project Description:

This pilot project focused on achieving the best value for money in terms of retrofit measures with an aim to produce a viable strategy for Loreburn Housing Association’s entire building stock with timber frame archetypes.

This involved retrofitting 2 properties to an EPC Band B satisfying the requirements of EESSH2 (the previous Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing Providers) and taking 2 properties to the AECB Carbon Lite standard, also to attain an EPC Band B. The works were carried out on two semi-detached houses and two semi-detached bungalows. The project aimed to also reduce the energy demand of properties and reduce tenants’ energy bills.

The measures to achieve EESSH2 involved ASHPs, triple glazed windows and upgraded doors, solar PV, battery storage, loft and ceiling insulation and improved air tightness.

The measures to achieve AECB standard included ASHPs with mechanical ventilation heat recovery, internal wall insulation, triple glazed windows and upgraded doors, solar PV and battery storage and improved air tightness.

The project included monitoring via environmental sensors to collate data of temperature, humidity and CO². The monitoring is continuing following the successful completion of the project and will also be used to identify tenants’ experience of the technology and upgrades.