Smart insulation makes greener Barnet homes

Published by Philippa Hancock for Barnet Homes in Housing and also in Environment

Older and vulnerable residents will benefit in a new energy saving project by Barnet Homes to make communal heating systems greener and more environmentally friendly.

The new insulation project will save energy equivalent to lighting 1,200,000 million 60 watt light bulbs, as well as saving residents up to £17,000 a year on their communal fuel bill.

The savings will be made by installing insulation jackets on the pipework of 19 communal heating systems in the borough which supply warmth to more than 400 residents living in sheltered accommodation.

Tracey Lees, Chief Executive of Barnet Homes, said: “We are determined at a local level to support the nation’s challenge of tackling climate change. This project will also reduce the heating costs for our elderly residents.

“We’re already successfully cut CO2 emissions from its council properties in the last four years by an estimated 1.2 tonnes for each home through our Decent Homes modernisation programme.

“We’ll continue to look at measures to reduce energy consumption and reduce fuel bills for residents.”

The work, starting before October, will be carried out by Sustain as part of the SmartHeat programme. It aims to prevent heat loss from each central heating system saving an estimated 720,260 kWh of energy on behalf of its residents.

In addition to this communal heating project, more than 1,500 individual households are to benefit from improved insulation and lower fuel bills after Barnet Homes successfully bid for almost £2million funding.

The £1.992m from the Homes and Communities Agency will enable Barnet Homes to install cavity wall insulation in 1,569 properties across the borough.

The insulation projects are being accompanied by increased information on how Barnet Homes residents can save energy and money at home. A range of advice was sent out in the organisation’s September newsletter for residents, athome.