The property
The Watford Community Housing project was a collaborative initiative between Watford Community Housing, Cotswold Energy Group (as part of SCIS Group) and Kooka Developments, a long-established industry partner of SCIS Group. The project aimed to enhance energy efficiency across 250 properties through extensive improvements, including property ventilation, gas work, preparatory clearing of external materials and fencing, and external wall insulation installations.
Our approach
Funding was secured through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), a government initiative designed to raise the energy performance of 1.2 million social homes to at least Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C. With an initial investment of £3.2 million in completed works and a further £2 million in progress, the project focused on delivering sustainable, long-term benefits to residents.
From the initial planning phase in 2023 to implementation in early 2024, the project team maintained a customer-centric approach. This involved:
- Liaising with residents both online and in person to ensure clear communication.
- Managing customer enquiries and feedback with a commitment to high-quality service.
- Providing regular progress updates to Watford Community Housing to maintain transparency and efficiency.
- By integrating these customer-focused strategies with expert workmanship, the project was executed seamlessly, ensuring minimal disruption to residents while maximizing energy efficiency improvements.
The results
As of June 2024, all 250 properties have been upgraded to an EPC Band C, significantly improving energy efficiency. These upgrades are expected to provide social tenants with warmer homes and reduce household energy bills by approximately £400 per year, based on national averages – saving around £100,000 per year across the project, on top of carbon savings and reduction in maintenance costs from damp and mould issues.
In recognition of its impact, the project was awarded the 2024 ‘Regional Large-Scale Project’ title at the Energy Efficiency Awards. This prestigious award highlights large-scale projects exceeding £250,000 in value that exemplify innovation, quality workmanship, and outstanding customer service within the energy efficiency sector.
By successfully delivering on its objectives, this project stands as a benchmark for sustainable energy efficiency initiatives for social housing.
