Residents in a block of council-owned flats in Perry Vale, south east London, are to benefit from newly installed insulation as part of an innovative multi-agency partnership, coordinated by Lewisham Council and the Green Homes Concierge Service.
Lewisham Council, Lewisham Homes, the London Development Agency (LDA) and the Green Homes Concierge Service came together to fund and fit cavity wall insulation in a block of 20 council-owned homes.
The project is part of the restructuring of the concierge service activities in order to trial different approaches in preparation for a London-wide scheme to make homes more energy efficient.
As a result of the newly-installed insulation, it is estimated that the residents there can look forward to a combined saving of around £1,750 a year on their heating bills. The scheme is also predicted to achieve a 30 year reduction in CO2 emissions of 460 tonnes for the entire block.
Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock, said: “This scheme not only contributes towards achieving our environmental targets but, crucially, it will also give residents benefiting from the new insulation real cash savings at a time when everyone is looking to cut their household costs. This project is a great example of partnership working making a real difference to people.”
Nelly McGhie, a resident in the block, said: “It’s very important to me to lower my bills because I am not well and I’m getting on in age and need to have the heating on more. I think these improvements will make a positive difference.”
The cost of the cavity wall insulation was funded by Lewisham Council, and installed in the Lewisham Homes managed properties by Green Homes Concierge Service.
Up to 35 per cent of the heat produced in a home is lost through walls if they are uninsulated. Insulation can reduce fuel bills and save, on average, around £160 per year. Cavity wall insulation can help to create an even temperature around the home, help prevent condensation on walls and ceilings and can also help to keep homes cooler during summer hot spells.
As well as the insulation, residents in the block have also received a free energy audit of their home and been given free water-saving devices.
As part of Lewisham Council’s ongoing commitment to reducing the Council’s impact on the environment, Sir Steve has just agreed to Lewisham’s Carbon Management Programme and has endorsed a target of a 50 per cent reduction in the Council’s carbon emissions by 2015. It has been estimated this could achieve a reduction of 75,000 tonnes of CO2, with the potential to deliver significant financial savings over the life of the programme.
Lewisham Council hopes to look at its other housing in the borough where it could make similar changes.
Lewisham Council, in association with the Green Homes Concierge Service, can provide a limited number of free energy audits for Lewisham residents who own their own homes. To claim one call 020 8314 6339.