The Whole House Retrofit Resident Impact Assessment report explores the improvements the council has made to homes it owns via its Whole House Retrofit (WHR) programme.
WHR tackles the least energy efficient council housing in the city and aims to improve it by assessing the needs of each property and replacing or improving the elements that are contributing to its poor energy efficiency. It also reduces carbon emissions and contributed towards the council’s net zero ambitions as well as those of the UK as a whole.
WHR in Nottingham is delivered via the Destination Zero programme, using funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. 129 properties across the city have received WHR improvements including external wall insulation, loft insulation, air permeability improvements and new ventilation. Some properties have also had new boilers, window replacements and roofing repairs.
As well as detailing the energy improvements that have been made, the WHR also includes positive outcomes for residents, from health and wellbeing to energy and finances, and from work and spending to home life and housing improvements.
When interviewed before the works, the majority of residents reported that their homes were hard to keep warm in winter, and many had issues as a result of poor energy efficiency, such as draughts and damp. 81% of residents couldn’t keep their homes warm in winter, and over half of the households living in homes with poor energy efficiency included someone with a health condition that made them more vulnerable to cold-related ill-health.
Since WHR improvements were completed, 100% of residents have reported that they can now keep their home warm enough in winter. Draughts, damp and mould have all reduced. One resident commented, “I noticed on the first October how warm it still was in the house. You notice it straight away, that you’re just so warm in the house. The house holds onto the heat, and when the heating comes on you can feel it heats the house quicker. We’re not having to have the heating on as much.”
When interviewed after the works were completed, more residents said that they’re in good or very good health. 20% said that WHR has improved their physical health, and 30% that it has improved their mental health and wellbeing.
Councillor Jay Hayes, Executive Member for Housing, said, “This report outlines what we know would be the case – that better, warmer, more energy efficient homes help people live better, healthier lives. Plus, every £1 spent on improving homes’ energy efficiency saves the NHS an estimated 42p – which means that the WHR improvements we’ve made to the homes that need it the most could save the NHS over £1m in health costs. It’s a great outcome for everyone.”