WCHG awarded more than £2m in government funding to make local homes more energy efficient and cut carbon
Hundreds of households in Wythenshawe are set to see energy bills reduced by an annual average of £276.78 over the next couple of years, as efforts to make homes in the area more energy efficient gathers pace.
Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG) has been awarded more than £2m in new funding, as part of the second wave of the UK Governments Social Housing Decarbonation fund (SHDF).
The funding is part of £37m awarded to a consortium of 18 social housing providers in Greater Manchester that will see 5,482 homes upgraded across the city region, making them more energy efficient and helping to cut fuel bills for customers as well as reducing carbon emissions.
Paul Butterworth, Executive Director of Assets for WCHG, said: “WCHG is committed to reducing our carbon footprint in line with our promise to support Manchester’s carbon reduction targets.
“Some 61% of all our carbon emissions come from existing homes, and to tackle this we’re investing in improving the quality of our current housing stock. So, we’re absolutely delighted to have been awarded this new funding, and it’s not only fantastic news for WCHG, but also for many of our customers, who will really benefit from this big new investment.
“WCHG will be using the money to implement a range of improvements, including carrying out thermal improvements to 229 of our mansard type properties, which in energy efficiency terms are some of our worst performing properties.
“This investment will focus on improving homes currently below SAP C up to Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) band C, achieving significant bill and carbon savings and reducing the risk of mould and condensation.
“In addition to this we have further funding to retrofit four empty properties, where we will take the opportunity to try new, different insulation measures, alongside the installation of new, renewable heating PV solar panels.
“By doing this we’re not only progressing the cities low carbon agenda, we’re also optimising the performance of our homes for future generations.”
The work being carried out by WCHG is set to be completed by September 2025, and is forecast to produce a total annual energy saving of 1,127,000 kWh in Wythenshawe.
