Collective Works’ Post

With a little help from the government, can boomers accelerate the retrofit revolution? From tackling climate change to lowering bills, boomers are uniquely positioned to lead the charge on retrofitting Britain’s ageing housing stock – but government support is essential to unlock their full potential, says Joe Scragg of Collective Works #architecture

Cold weather gives perfect reminder to retrofit sooner rather than later With the recent cold snaps and icy weather becoming more and more common, the importance of energy efficient homes has been highlighted by Derek Horrocks, owner of leading retrofit decarbonisation provider Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd. He said: “Cold snaps arrive and it's been reported that as many as 1.7m households are choosing not to turn the heating on to combat the cost of living and the loss of winter fuel payments. “We can’t emphasise enough the positive impacts energy efficient homes can have on those living in them. It goes far beyond having a warm and comfortable home, reaching into spaces that tackle the four main crises being faced today. For example, energy efficiency improvements mean reduced bills that work towards battling the rising cost of energy. But they also mean reduced stress over bill affordability, and coupled with a warmer, comfortable environment people see improved levels of both physical and mental wellbeing. “Whether talking about privately owned homes or social homes managed by housing providers, the focus should be the same - everyone deserves a healthy home. There is now the ability to create mass change at an unprecedented scale. There are options available, with many measures able to be delivered much more quickly, efficiently, and affordably than is often understood. https://lnkd.in/eruYPmKE

One Plan: scaling up delivery was launched at the Future Homes Conference on 4th December, and sets context for scaling up housing delivery and delivery on sustainability simultaneously. The document takes stock of new homes progress in key areas: - Future Homes Standard and beyond  - Embodied carbon  - Water efficiency  - Nature recovery  - Sustainable places It underlines the importance of the whole new homes community collaborating to a single plan and of the 5Cs we need working in partnership with Government: - Certainty  - Consistency  - Coherence  - Customer and community-focus  - Collaboration One Plan: Scaling up delivery publishes the metrics to enable the new homes community to measure progress consistently at project, company and sector level, developed with the NextGeneration Initiative, Homes England and financial institutions and draws together the roadmap for future change. Read the full document here: https://lnkd.in/d2F7VQCT #FutureHomesHub #SustainableHomes #NetZero #ClimateAction #SustainableHomebuilding #Construction #RealEstate 

Big thanks to Derek Horrocks and Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd for shining a light on this important issue. With the recent cold snaps, it’s clear that energy-efficient homes are more critical than ever. Derek’s absolutely right—this isn’t just about staying warm. It’s about lowering energy bills, improving physical and mental health, and ensuring everyone, no matter where they live, has access to a safe and comfortable home. At EcoGiants, we’re particularly focused on helping hard-to-reach communities benefit from retrofit solutions. These areas are often the most in need and can gain the most from improved energy efficiency. Retrofitting isn’t just a fix—it’s a long-term solution that can transform lives while also helping tackle climate change. Let’s keep working together to make this change happen. If you’re looking to make your home or community more sustainable, we’re here to help. Check out Derek’s post below—it’s a great read. #Retrofit #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability #HealthyHomes #EcoGiants Miles Sharples Christian Gillibrand

Did you know that new homes built in the US in 2023 are a whopping 47% more energy efficient than those built in 2006? That's great news for the environment and our wallets! However, there's still a significant challenge to address. A staggering 82.77% of the nation's housing stock was built before 2006, making them 30% more inefficient than homes built in 2006. This means there's a huge opportunity for retrofitting and upgrading existing homes to make them more sustainable and energy efficient. Let's work together to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in the housing sector! Share your thoughts on how we can tackle this challenge and create a more sustainable future for all! #Sustainability #EnergyEfficiency #Housing #GreenBuilding #Retrofitting #Upgrade #RenewableEnergy #FutureOfHousing Source (Housing Affordability Institute, 2024)

Together Housing Group ’s work to decarbonise its properties will be used as a way for other businesses to mitigate against their own carbon footprint and support the decarbonisation of homes in the UK as well as helping people live in more comfortable homes. The Housing Executive Magazine shared the news that Patrick Berry, Director for Net Zero at Together Housing Group said: “At Together Housing, we’ve taken a progressive approach to retrofit works by tapping into cutting-edge technology and now, the revolutionary #RetrofitCredits programme supporting other businesses to offset their emissions. We’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come with our Carbon Reduction Strategy, but there is still essential work to be done, inside and outside our homes. Retrofit Credits drive carbon reduction further and increase the opportunities to re-invest in areas, so it’s not just our residents who benefit, but the wider communities we work closely with too.” Read the article via this link https://lnkd.in/eVwGt4KW The HACT and PNZ Carbon Retrofit Credits programme is an award-winning initiative that looks to lower carbon emissions from UK homes and at the same time improving the wellbeing of people living in these properties. To find out more contact us! #carboncredits #climateaction #decarbonisation

Your Monday reminder that renovating buildings in Europe must be the absolute priority in the new mandate: 💵 Renovating residential buildings in the EU will lead up to a 44% reduction in energy used for heating buildings. By putting worst-performing homes first, decision-makers will be able to lower energy bills and offer relief to low-income households faster. 😊 Increased comfort & health In 2023, 47.4 million EU citizens couldn’t afford proper heating. In aging, unfit housing, leaks and poor ventilation can allow for mould and other allergens to develop. Poor housing conditions directly impact health. 🏘 Decent affordable homes People shouldn’t stay locked into unfit homes because it’s the only thing they can afford. A variety of funding and financing options for renovations are necessary to ease the cost-of-living crisis, and provide affordable efficient housing for all. 🌎 Deal with climate change Buildings contribute 38% of EU emissions. If we can reduce these through better insulation, we can mitigate the impacts of climate change. And, at the same time, make our homes safer and climate-resilient. ❌ No lock-ins The most vulnerable people shouldn’t have to rely on energy sources that will harm their health and their wallet, like gas boilers. Leaving them last in the energy transition means they will be stuck with outdated infrastructure that is unaffordable. Keep reading ⬇ Dan Jørgensen #BuildBetterLives #HomeRenovations #EPBD

The Benefits of Energy-Efficient Homes: Why They’re a Smart Choice As energy costs rise and sustainability becomes a priority, energy-efficient homes are rapidly becoming the future of property investment. 🔑 Here are three key benefits: 1️⃣ Cost Savings: Energy-efficient features like triple glazing, solar panels, and smart meters can significantly reduce monthly bills. 2️⃣ Eco-Friendly Appeal: With reduced energy consumption, these homes are better for the environment—a key consideration for today’s eco-conscious buyers and tenants. 3️⃣ Higher Demand: Green homes are increasingly popular in Cambridge’s property market, offering strong rental appeal and long-term value. At Citystay Property Agents, we’re passionate about connecting buyers and renters with sustainable properties. Whether you’re looking to sell, let, or invest, our team can help you make the most of Cambridge’s growing trend for sustainable living. 📞 Contact us today to learn more! #SustainableLiving #EnergyEfficientHomes #GreenHomes #CambridgePropertyMarket #CitystayPropertyAgents

🌍✨ On this World Earth Day, let's reflect on the critical role of homes in our journey towards a sustainable future. Did you know that the UK's existing housing stock contributes significantly to our carbon footprint? Accounting for a substantial 23% of carbon emissions. With approximately 27 million homes standing today, the prospect of demolishing and rebuilding them all is neither practical nor environmentally sound. Yet, a staggering 80% of these buildings are projected to remain well into 2050, emphasising the urgent need for large-scale retrofitting efforts. Retrofitting offers a transformative solution. By making alterations to existing buildings, we can effectively reduce energy consumption and emissions. At VOR Group, we're committed to supporting the journey to a sustainable future. As innovators in the field, we're dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable retrofit solutions at scale. We believe that retrofitting homes isn't just about improving energy efficiency; it's about creating a more sustainable and resilient future for generations to come!🌱 #WorldEarthDay #Sustainability #Retrofitting

🌿 Empowering Social Housing Providers with Energy-Efficient Homes: A Win for Residents and the Environment At Preserve First, we are dedicated to transforming social housing into energy-efficient, sustainable communities. Our expertise in energy efficiency works helps social housing providers achieve two crucial goals: reducing heating bills for residents and minimising carbon emissions. 🏠 Key Benefits of Our Energy Efficiency Solutions: 1. Lower Heating Bills: By improving the thermal efficiency of homes, we help residents save significantly on their energy costs, making living more affordable.    2. Enhanced Comfort: Our upgrades ensure homes are warmer in winter and cooler in summer, enhancing overall comfort and quality of life. 3. Carbon Footprint Reduction: Through advanced energy-saving technologies, we contribute to a greener planet by reducing carbon emissions. 4. Improved EPC Ratings: Our efforts lead to better Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings, adding value to properties and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. At Preserve First, we believe that every resident deserves a warm, comfortable home without the burden of high energy costs. By partnering with social housing providers, we are making a tangible difference in communities, one home at a time. Join us in our mission to create sustainable, energy-efficient housing for all! 🌍💡 For more information please reach out to our Managing Director - Karl Wallace #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability #SocialHousing #PreserveFirst #CarbonReduction #EPCImprovement #AffordableLiving #GreenFuture