New Housing Retrofit Division Launched in Sustainability Push
Esh Construction has launched a brand-new retrofit solutions division to help registered housing providers decarbonise their housing stock. Quadrant Smart looks at how this will help improve the energy efficiency of social housing.
The new retrofit solutions division by Esh Construction, named Esh Retrofit Solutions, will specialise in delivering essential works to improve the sustainability and energy efficiency of existing homes and enable providers to achieve an EPC banding of C or above across its portfolio.
Esh Retrofit Solutions Aims To Improve Tenants’ Living Conditions
Retrofitting measures focus on a fabric-first approach, including window and door upgrades, secondary glazing installation, internal or external wall insulation, and loft, underfloor or cavity wall insulation.
Following these works, it is said that the focus will move to install decarbonisation measures such as air-source heat pumps, ground-source heat pumps, and solar photovoltaic panels.
It will be overseen by the Head of Retrofit Solutions, Lisa Stafford, who will build on 27 years of experience in the construction industry. Lisa revealed that the development of the specialist retrofit division has been a long time in the making and has taken extensive work from everyone involved.
However, as a TrustMark-accredited contractor, Esh has acquired the knowledge and processes of the PAS2030 and PAS2035 standards as part of the accreditation process – both of these are required by the UK Government to be an eligible installer.
She explained that it is essential to continue working collaboratively going forward: “We will build on our extensive experience of working with housing associations and local authorities to refurbish and upgrade homes for more than two decades by working collaboratively with our clients to improve living conditions for tenants while meeting the government’s energy efficiency and decarbonisation targets.”
Combatting The Number Of Households In Fuel Poverty Is Crucial
Esh Retrofit Solutions is set to offer an all-inclusive approach to retrofit delivery, starting with an initial assessment to design and then installation, all of which will be supported by a full retrofit coordination service and a PAS2030-accredited supply chain.
Andy Radcliffe, Chief Executive of Esh Group, expressed that unveiling Esh Retrofit Solutions has been a key part of Esh’s business strategy for several reasons: “Firstly, to ensure we continue to meet the evolving needs of our clients and the wider industry, and secondly as we take steps within our business toward a more sustainable future.”
Combatting the number of households in fuel poverty in the long term can only happen if their homes become more energy-efficient.
Through the knowledge and experience gained through Esh’s delivery of social housing refurbishment projects, Andy said that the company is in an excellent place to develop the new division: “We are a privately-owned, local contractor with a strong financial position, this, combined with our extensive knowledge and experience gained through our delivery of social housing refurbishment projects, gives us solid foundations to develop our new division and importantly, support our clients and their tenants through the whole retrofit process.”
It follows the SHDF that the UK Government announced in 2019 in a bid to improve the energy performance of social rented homes and support the UK’s target to reach net zero by 2050. A further £800 million was earmarked by the SHDF Wave 2 fund within the 2021 spending review, and the successful applicants will be announced early in 2023.
