A Social Housing Game Changer for D-Rated Properties : The UK’s social housing stock has been in need of an energy efficiency upgrade for many years; this need has only become more urgent. 

According to a Chartered Institute of Housing Review, the number of D-rated social properties in the UK is estimated to be 1.2 million, with approximately 23.1% of these residents living in fuel poverty. State-funded schemes like the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) aim to support energy upgrades, but they are not sufficient on their own.

ECO4 to date has not offered a significant level of supply to the social housing sector. The fabric-led obligation is largely tailored toward the private sector and the lower performing E-G rated properties.

ECO4 Fabric Innovation Measures, however, change the landscape of ECO4 for providers of social housing. Ofgem registered innovation measures can be applied to D-rated properties and consequently are a catalyst for ECO4 upgrades at scale. These innovation measures promote community-wide, place-based thinking and offer beneficiaries a 25% or 45% funding uplift compared to standard measures. 

Soltherm are currently leading the way in this area, with two Ofgem recognised solid wall insulation Innovation Measures, the Soltherm 75 system being widely adopted by RP’s under ECO4 thanks to its 75 year life expectancy. This system can be installed on D rated, hard to treat, system-build and solid wall properties, making the 22,000 installs per annum solid wall minima more deliverable than ever before.

“We’re thrilled to be able to help make a difference through our innovation systems,” said Steve Gapik, Managing Director at Soltherm, “Social housing must be at the core of ECO4 for it to deliver its ambition and contribute to the decarbonisation of the UK’s housing stock. It’s great that we can use our technology to help improve people’s lives while also taking meaningful steps towards decarbonising our homes.” 

ECO4 Fabric Innovation Measures are a much needed solution that will revolutionise how we approach energy efficiency upgrades in social housing. With these measures available for installation on D rated properties, we can finally start tackling fuel poverty and making positive changes in vulnerable communities throughout the UK.

A Social Housing Game Changer for D-Rated Properties

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