We are pleased to announce that the work to improve the energy efficiency of 20 properties in Whinfell, Washington is now complete.
The work started in July 2022 following a successful bid to the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, submitted in partnership with Sunderland City Council.
The work which was delivered by RE:GEN Group cost around £1.24 million has improved each properties standard assessment procedure (SAP) score on average by 21 points. A SAP score is the methodology used to generate a properties energy performance certificate (EPC).
The work will also see tenants save on average around £455 a year on energy bills and reduce the amount of carbon each property produces by 2.5 tonnes. Each property has also benefited from external wall and roof insulation. This work follows each property having new PVC doors and double-glazed widows installed in 2021/22.
Following the completion of the work in Whinfell, Gentoo asked tenants to fill in a satisfaction survey. Out of all the tenants surveyed in January, 100% of them were satisfied with the work that had been carried out in their home.
Joyce has lived in her home in Whinfell for more 6 years. Her property is one of the 20 that has benefitted from the energy efficiency work. Joyce said:
“I’m over the moon with how my home looks now, the work has greatly improved the appearance of the whole street. It’s now a place I’m proud to call home.
“Since the work has been carried out, my home is a lot warmer.”
Marc Edwards, Director of Asset and Sustainability at Gentoo said:
“We’re delighted with the outcome of the energy efficiency work that we have recently carried out in Whinfell.
“The work has transformed the properties both aesthetically and thermally and we’re confident the work will see tenants benefit from reduced energy bills.
“This work is just another example of demonstrating our commitment to supporting Sunderland City Council to become carbon neutral by 2023.”
Brian Bedford, Head of Sustainability at RE:GEN Group said:
“The improvement works at Whinfell focussed on delivering a “whole-house” approach to enhance the energy efficiency of the properties. The homes benefitted from external wall insulation, roof insulation measures and window and door replacements to reduce the amount of energy tenants need to keep their homes warm as well as easing financial pressures of rising energy costs.
“We are absolutely delighted with the results which has seen the 20 properties transformed from EPC Band E/D to EPC Band C. Despite the challenges that deep retrofit projects can bring, the tenants have been incredibly engaged and receptive to the works carried out which has made our job a pleasure.
“We look forward to continuing to support Gentoo, Sunderland City Council and the SHDF with further rollouts of retrofit upgrades to the North East region.”
