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Feeling the benefits of upgrades

About me and my home  

I’ve lived in my Karbon bungalow for 10 years and I absolutely love it. Everyone knows me around here and I like to have a bit chat with my neighbours. My home must be about 70 years old – I can remember these houses when I was a kid. As it’s getting old, it really needed modernising so it could be warmer and stronger.  

The improvements  

My home has had a total overhaul! It’s incredible really. The work has included more insulation as well as improvements to the roof. The work is almost finished – just the rendering to be done on top of the insulation and then the house will have had a complete makeover.  

The experience  

There were bits and pieces of mess along the way, but that’s to be expected when it’s such a big job. Regen, the team handing the works were excellent. They kept me informed of what was going on and helped me with anything I couldn’t manage myself. It’s well worth a little bit of inconvenience for years of future benefits.  

The results  

The difference it makes to the warmth of the house was immediate and really noticeable. My sister really feels the cold and even she is lovely and warm now! I just pop the heating on for 20 minutes at a time because the house stays warm for so long. A few people have stopped to ask me about the results because they want to do the same to their own homes.  

 The lowdown  

Craig Lonsdale, Asset and Sustainability Manager at Karbon, answers our questions on the scheme.  

Q What are the upgrades all about?  

A. We’re really excited to be able to carry out these efficiency improvements thanks to funding released from the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.  

The works are designed to upgrade homes to reduce energy demand, by reducing the amount of heat lost from our properties.  

The works are designed to upgrade homes to reduce energy demand, by reducing the amount of heat lost from our properties.  

Q What kind of improvements are you planning?  

A. Works may include:

  • Loft insulation - increasing the thickness of current insulation if necessary. 
  • Underfloor insulation - if a ground floor is suspended, then we can also look to install underfloor insulation. 
  • External wall insulation - this is a layer of insulation attached to the wall and finished with a render. 
  • Solar panels - we will install solar panels on the roof, producing electricity which can be used for free. You can also be paid for any electricity you don’t use. 
  • Air source heat pumps – these systems work by absorbing heat from the outside air, boosting it to a higher temperature and transferring it to the heating system when needed. 
  • Infrared panels – these heating panels offer a low cost and low maintenance option. They work by emitting heat as infrared radiation which heats objects and people in its path in a radiant way. This is different to more traditional convective heat transfer which relies on heating the air in the room. 

Q What are the benefits to having the work done?

A. There are big benefits for you and the environment:  

  • Reduced energy demand and lower energy bills 
  • Reduced carbon footprint meaning your home is more environmentally friendly 
  • A warmer and more comfortable home 

 Q Will my home receive an upgrade?  

A. We’re currently planning to make these upgrades to any of our homes that have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) below C. These certificates indicate the energy efficiency of a building and the improvements help  to upgrade any homes that are underperforming.  

If your home is due to receive an upgrade, we’ll be in touch to give you more information about when this will take place and to arrange a survey of your home. In the meantime, if you would like to find out more about energy saving measures and our commitment to creating a sustainable environment, visit www.karbonhomes.co.uk/net.zero-at-karbon  

Here for you  

If you’re struggling to heat your home or manage your bills, we are here to help. For free, independent support on benefits and money advice, please call the Money Matters Team on  
0808 164 0111 or email moneymatters@karbonhomes.co.uk 

 

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