Retrofit upgrades see Rochdale residents make significant energy bill savings
How energy efficiency upgrades have seen electrical bills drop from £147 to £48 a month for one household in Greater Manchester
A street in Greater Manchester has been described as "the model for what we're doing across the borough" after multiple homes in the street received retrofit upgrades through a government scheme.
48 homes across Rochdale have received energy efficiency upgrades such as solar panels and loft insulation, provided by funding from the Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2).
We visited Mulberry Close to hear the difference the improvements have been making to the lives of residents.
Rochdale Borough Council, who support residents across the borough, is striving towards a net zero 2038 target.
Stuart Morris, council head of strategic housing (property) said: “Through the programme, we’ve been able to target low-income households and maximise available funding for our residents.
"Over 50 per cent of properties upgraded through the scheme were able to benefit from three or more retrofit measures, which led to energy bill reductions of 50 to 60 per cent."
Over 50 per cent of properties upgraded through the scheme were able to benefit from three or more retrofit measures, which led to energy bill reductions of 50 to 60 per cent.
Through the Home Upgrade Grant, Rochdale Borough Council was able to provide upgrades to a total of 48 homes.
Funding for the scheme is delivered on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Babatunde Ajani, council housing supply officer, said: "There are occasions where it’s too good not to speak about it – and this is one of those occasions where we are really, really proud.
"This Close is the model for what we’re doing across the borough.
"These properties here are actually the example of where we want to be.
“We want to ensure that we’re driving people’s energy expenses to the barest minimum.
“In doing that we’re not just saving the environment, but we’re also saving people quite a lot of money.”
During our visit, Groundwork contractors spoke with Mulberry Close residents Paul and Sue.
Their home, which was previously heated by storage heaters, is now kept warm with an air source heat pump.
The couple also received loft insulation, ventilation and solar panels.
In a video interview with Groundwork, Sue said the previous heating system was “one step down from useless” whereas the new system “has completely and utterly changed [their] lives”.
Watch Groundwork’s short video below to hear more about Paul and Sue’s experience.
Shammy Walton, green homes project manager at Groundwork said: “We would love to see this happen again.
"You can see after one person on the street has had this life-changing install through the funding, then a knock-on effect to most of the rest of the street.
“I’d like that to happen on other streets.”
Rochdale is continuing to prioritise projects that support its trajectory towards net zero and improve the homes and lives for its residents.
You can see after one person on the street has had this life-changing install through the funding, then a knock-on effect to most of the rest of the street.
About the Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2:
- funding for the scheme is provided on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- the Home Upgrade Grant aimed to provide energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating via local authority funding, to households in England that are low income, off the gas grid or have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) between D and G
- funding is exclusively reserved for off-gas grid homes
- you can read more about the scheme via our website
