300 Exeter homes get energy-efficient upgrade

Still 3,700 to go

Around 300 of Exeter's 4,000 or so council homes have now been upgraded with energy efficient measures that reduce carbon emissions and help residents lower their fuel bills by 4o to 70 per cent.

The 'retrofitting' involves external wall insulation, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, new double glazed windows and doors, solar panels, smart meters and upgraded central heating systems.

The council is planning to retrofit all of its properties as part of a plan to become a Net Zero Carbon city.

The work is part of a project jointly funded by the council and the government. The council is putting in £1.3 million and central government £1.1 million.

Cllr Laura Wright, deputy leader of Exeter City Council, said the retrofit programme could not have come at a better time, with fuel bill rising rapidly for households.

She said: “For each property that has been retrofitted there will be an average reduction of 3.2 tonnes of carbon every year.

“By the end of the year we will have retrofitted about 360 – that’s a carbon reduction of 1,152 tonnes at least, and that’s an amazing figure.”

“I am immensely proud of what we are doing. We have done it with financial modelling against out maintenance costs, which means that we don’t have to charge the tenants any money towards it. There’s no charge to our tenants – just savings for then and a more comfortable home.

Resident Rebecca Merrett said the work on her home in Wonford had made a big difference and said she uses a lot less energy since the refit. The house is also warmer and more comfortable.

She said: “Through the winter for us the insulation has made a big difference. We've had solar panels put on, new double glazing and doors and cavity wall insulation.”

Ms Merrett said she now only puts her heating on for about an hour-and-a-half in the morning and the same in the evening if needed.

She added: “It has made a huge difference to our energy bills. Anything that can be saved at the moment – whoever you are – is something you are grateful for so as long as I am lowering my bills I’m happy.

“We used to find that we needed the house really hot but now we don’t, it feels more self-sufficient. We are really proud of our house, we love where we live and we are proud to be here.”