Esh Retrofit Solutions will specialise in delivering essential works to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes and enable providers to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) banding of C and above across its portfolio - a government requirement for all social housing by 2030.
Retrofitting measures focus on a fabric first approach and can include window and door upgrades, installation of secondary glazing, internal or external wall insulation, loft, underfloor or cavity wall insulation. Following these works, focus will move to the installation of decarbonisation measures such as air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and solar photovoltaic panels.
The new division will be overseen by Head of Retrofit Solutions, Lisa Stafford, who will build on 27 years’ experience in the construction industry.
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Lisa said: "The development of our specialist retrofit division has been long in the making and has taken extensive work from everyone involved. We are delighted to mark this significant milestone for Esh with the official launch.
"We are a TrustMark-accredited contractor and have acquired the knowledge and processes of the PAS2030 and PAS2035 standards as part of the accreditation process, both of which are required by the Government to be an eligible installer.
"We will build on our extensive experience of working with housing associations and local authorities to refurbish and upgrade homes for more than two-decades by working collaboratively with our clients to improve living conditions for tenants while meeting the Government’s energy efficiency and decarbonisation targets."
Esh Retrofit Solutions is set to offer an all-inclusive approach to retrofit delivery, starting with initial assessment, to design and then installation, all of which will be supported by a full retrofit coordination service and a PAS2030-accredited supply chain. The division will be strengthened by the expertise of Esh’s established refurbishment team, which is headed up by Operations Director, Colin Ford.
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) was announced by the Government in 2019 in a bid to improve the energy performance of social rented homes and support the UK’s target to reach net zero by 2050. A further £800 million was earmarked for the SHDF ‘Wave 2’ fund within the 2021 spending review and successful applicants will be announced early in 2023.
