Salix Homes net zero plans take shape for a cleaner and greener way of life

Salix Homes is committed to improving the energy and efficiency of our homes and buildings, which benefits tenants, the environment and helps to reduce bills.

The Government has set a target that all social housing should have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of a ‘C’ rating by 2030, which is part of the net zero ambitions to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions and energy bills.

EPCs are graded from A to G, the lower the rating the higher your energy bills will be and the worse your home is for the environment.

All our new builds are constructed to the highest energy efficiency ratings, however many of our older properties will require improvement work, which will make them warmer and cheaper to run.

Most recently, several terraced houses in Long Street, Swinton have had insulation work to improve energy efficiency and lower the cost of heating as part of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 1, funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

The project will result in over 900 social homes in Greater Manchester being retrofitted by the end of June 2023. The energy efficiency improvements and new low-carbon heating systems delivered through the project will reduce household energy bills and contribute towards Greater Manchester’s target to become a zero-carbon city by 2038.

Michael Ramsey project manager for Environment and Low Carbon at Greater Manchester Combined Authority said:

“Salix Homes is a member of Greater Manchester’s SHDF Wave 1 consortium. This collaboration of 10 Registered Providers has been convened by Greater Manchester Combined Authority to accelerate the delivery of social housing retrofits, by streamlining programme management and sharing best practice and lessons learned.

“There is still work to be done to improve energy efficiency. These improvements also known as ‘retrofitting’ could include, external wall and loft insulation, installing energy efficient doors and windows, the use of solar panels and adding more closed-loop heat pumps to high-rise buildings.”

David Malsom, sustainability manager at Salix Homes, said: “We have secured Government funding to install insulation at a number of our properties and we are continuing to focus on installing insulation across our housing stock, which will make people’s homes warmer and cheaper to heat.

“Climate change is amongst the most pressing issues facing the world as we know it and we all have a part to play. Improving the energy efficiency of all our properties and buildings will help in the fight against climate change, but in the short term, it will also bring real benefits to low-income households who are experiencing fuel poverty.

“Energy prices are at an all-time high, so we’re committed to helping our tenants cut their energy usage through our programme of ‘green’ home improvement work, which not only cuts carbon emissions but saves residents money on their heating bills.”

All residents who require energy efficiency improvements to their homes will be contacted directly to schedule the work required.