Nearly 350 homes in Merseyside, specifically in the areas of Kirkdale and Walton, are scheduled for retrofit work that will upgrade their energy performance certificates and reduce energy bills.

Onward Homes, in partnership with Sustainable Building Services (SBS), has completed the first phase of the retrofit project and is starting phase two, which is expected to be completed by 2028.

The £9.5 million project aims to improve nearly 350 older terrace properties built between 50 and 100 years ago. Funding has come from the Government’s Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 scheme.

The retrofit work will include cavity wall insulation, replacement windows and doors and improved ventilation. Residents of the properties who have had the upgrade are reportedly already feeling a difference, describing improved thermal comfort and better soundproofing.
After the work is completed, each house will have an EPC band rating of C or higher and cost less to run.

Onward Homes has been working with SBS since 2022. Ross Bagnall, retrofit assistant project manager at Onward Homes, said:

“Having SBS to lean on and maintaining a working relationship with them has been brilliant so far. I’m looking forward to working with them through the next phase of this project.”

Onward Homes is one of the largest providers of social housing to rent or buy in North West England. The company views its role as extending beyond their customers’ homes to benefit local communities through a whole-neighbourhood approach. Staff members are improving local waste management and want owners of other sites to be involved in such retrofit energy improvement work.