Admiral’s Gate – Devonport. In January 2021 we identified 172 properties within one development in Plymouth that were not on mains gas. We applied, on their behalf, to draw down £260K of ECO3 funding to bring 133 of the homes inline with EPC criteria. In 2018 the government introduced a…
Admiral’s Gate – Devonport.
In January 2021 we identified 172 properties within one development in Plymouth that were not on mains gas. We applied, on their behalf, to draw down £260K of ECO3 funding to bring 133 of the homes inline with EPC criteria.
In 2018 the government introduced a new minimum EPC rating of ‘E’ or above for all new residential tenancies, this has now been rolled out across all existing tenancies. Following further consultation in December 2020 the government announced additional plans to improve EPC ratings in rental properties to ‘C’. They intend to introduce the proposed new measures in the same process as before, starting with new tenancies in 2025 before implementing across all tenancies by 2028.
The changes to the regulations are part of the government’s target to achieve net-zero by 2050. Although there are a number of new incentives to encourage households to install greener energy solutions, this is not always a viable option, especially for homes that are either rented or owned by residents who fall into the fuel poverty category.
Homes that are operating old inefficient electric storage heaters could benefit from ECO3 funding to cover the installation cost of gas central heating. This may sound like an oxymoron considering the government are lobbying to eradicate fossil fuels, however, we are still a long way off implementing 100% green energy. For those who are living in fuel poverty and finding it a challenge to heat their homes, it is still beneficial to both the resident and the environment to make the switch to a more energy efficient gas boiler – we install Worcester boilers that are hydrogen ‘ready’ this means that they can easily convert to hydrogen, a form of energy that offers a carbon free solution.
Property manager and owner Anna Day commented, ‘I knew this was an amazing opportunity for all of the residents. How often do you get a free mains gas connection for an entire residential development!’ Working alongside Anna, the team at Carbon Saving Group arranged for Wales and West Utilities to install mains gas connection for all of the 133 properties converting to gas central heating.
Although the project has taken a while to complete – there have been a few bureaucratic hurdles – it has been a great success, especially as the residents enter their first winter with on demand hot water. Pensioners, Mr and Mrs Weatherall commented, ‘we used to have to boil our kettle to wash the dishes properly. It is a blessing to be able to keep our home consistently warm, now the temperature is dropping’.
If you want to find out about having central heating installed in your property get in touch with us today.
Read more about hydrogen ready boilers at Worcester Bosch