Orbit has partnered with Wates to improve the energy efficiency of 410 homes in the next two years.
- Wates will enhance 160 homes using funds from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund’s Wave 2.1.
- The remaining 250 properties will benefit from Orbit and the government’s ECO4 programme funding.
- The project includes extensive insulation and replacements for roofs, windows, and doors.
- Digital and renewable solutions like smart thermostats and solar panels will be explored for long-term benefits.
Orbit, a prominent housing group, has embarked on a significant retrofit initiative by appointing Wates to enhance the energy efficiency of 410 homes over the forthcoming two years. Through this partnership, both entities aim to contribute towards long-term sustainability goals, particularly focusing on decarbonisation efforts.
A pivotal part of the project involves upgrading 160 homes through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund’s (SHDF) Wave 2.1. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to improving energy efficiency within social housing. Meanwhile, the other 250 homes will receive improvements funded by Orbit and the government’s ECO4 programme.
The contract, compliant with PAS3025 standards, entails comprehensive building fabric improvements. This includes the installation of external, internal, cavity wall, and loft insulation. In addition to insulation upgrades, traditional capital works such as the replacement of roofs, windows, and doors will play a crucial role in enhancing the structural efficiency of these homes.
Moreover, Wates and Orbit are keen to explore digital and renewable solutions to reduce energy consumption further. The integration of smart thermostats, advanced ventilation systems, air and ground source heat pumps, and solar photovoltaic panels are among the key technologies being considered. These upgrades aim to bolster the homes’ energy performance while paving the way for future innovations.
The project is expected to reach completion by September 2025, with an option to extend the contract for an additional four years. This timeline is in line with Orbit’s broader strategy to elevate all its social housing stock to an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of C or above by 2030 as mandated by the government.
David Morgan, the executive managing director of Wates Property Services, articulated the importance of this endeavour, emphasising their extensive experience in social housing retrofit projects. He remarked, “Our collective journey towards net zero is reliant on working in partnership in this way, and enables us to efficiently design and deliver the best possible measures for each property, improving efficiency, supporting Orbit in its net zero strategy and helping to address fuel poverty for residents.”
This ambitious project represents a crucial step towards sustainable social housing and energy efficiency.
