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We're improving Citizen properties with an energy performance certificate (EPC) below C. We're doing this by carrying out upgrade works to bring them up to a band C or higher.
This will mean our homes will become:
- more energy-efficient
- less vulnerable to mould, damp and condensation
- cheaper to heat
- lower in carbon emissions
We've already carried out this work on 1,000 homes, and by the end of 2030, we'll have upgraded all 2,295 Citizen homes in Coventry and Birmingham.
As well as making your homes warmer, greener and more affordable to run, this work is also protecting the environment, with over 4.38 million kWh of energy savings expected and 1.19 million kg of CO2 saved.
We're receiving very positive feedback from our customers, and have welcomed government visitors who've said they're impressed by the quality of the work. Together, we're building a better, more sustainable future, one home at a time.
We're taking a 'fabric first' approach to this work, which means prioritising the building's insulation before we carry out more technical work, helping save energy from the start.
This includes:
- external wall insulation
- loft or cavity wall insulation
- new windows and doors
- installing or upgrading mechanical fans in kitchens and bathrooms
Work is being carried out in stages, with customers being kept updated every step of the way.
We know upgrades can be invasive and disruptive, so we're working closely with customers, listening to their feedback and engaging through initiatives such as drop-in sessions, door-to-door conversations, and a mobile display van showcasing what the improvements will look like.
This decarbonisation upgrade project is funded by £23.8m awarded by the government's Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund: Wave 2.1, plus our own investment, and support from Coventry City Council.
It's managed by our new decarbonisation team, which has already won awards for innovation and been recognised by the government as a leading example of industry best practice.
We plan to continue our decarbonisation upgrade work across our other properties.
- In Hereford, Worcester and Worcestershire, we’ve just secured a bid for £6.8m to upgrade 712 homes
- In Coventry and Birmingham, we’ve secured an additional £82m to improve more homes
On top of the above funding, we’re also committing to match funding and will be investing £15m over the next three years.
If your home is part of the next stage or due for a decarbonisation upgrade, we’ll be in touch with everything you need to know.
As well as making homes more energy-efficient and giving our communities a greener future, were using this opportunity to provide retrofitting training for students from local colleges and partner organisations.
This includes setting up a dedicated training academy where students can attend bootcamps in external wall insulation and other key retrofitting skills.