Energy efficient homes
We are addressing the climate change emergency by assisting the Welsh Government to achieve their plans for Wales to become net zero. We are supporting this aim by delivering the optimised retrofit programme (ORP). This programme will help reduce carbon emissions in our homes.
What is the Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP) and what does it mean for Newydd tenants?
It is a Welsh Government project that is designed to make your home more environmentally friendly. The project involves over 68 organisations including 26 social housing providers. It is widely known as the ‘Optimised Retrofit Programme’.
The ORP will ensure homes in Wales are at the lowest achievable carbon footprint. This could mean building fabric improvements and installing low and zero-carbon technologies to heat your home more efficiently.
Why are we part of this programme?
We want to become a more sustainably run organisation aligning with our 2022-2027 corporate plan vision and values. We want to reduce our carbon footprint and one way we can achieve this is by making homes more energy efficient.
There are enormous environmental benefits by taking part in this programme that could change the way our tenants use energy in their home.
What’s in it for you?
By prioritising the decarbonisation of Newydd homes we can help tackle fuel poverty. We want to continue to improve living conditions, creating better, more comfortable environments for our tenants.
How will we be obtaining information about our properties?
We will use a retrofit assessment. It is a specialist survey undertaken on your home looking at factors, such as how many people live in the property, the energy you use and condition to establish its current level of energy efficiency. The assessment also indicates the improvements needed to help reduce fuel bills, carbon emissions and improve your comfort and health. A member of staff from the Assets Team will call you to arrange a time convenient with you to complete a retrofit assessment within your home.
How long does the survey take?
Please be aware this assessment can take between one and two hours depending on the size of your home.
What is the surveyor looking for?
The surveyor will pay particular attention to aspects of your home including insulation, air sealing, heating and cooling systems, ventilation and lighting. They will need to take photographs and different measurements.
Will the survey cause any damage or disruption to my home?
The surveyor will do their very best not to disturb your home and should always leave your home in the same condition they entered it.
Environmental sensors
As part of the optimised retrofit program, we will need to install environmental sensors in your property. We will contact you to schedule a convenient time for an electrician to visit your home and install the sensors. The data collected from these sensors will assist us in determining the necessary steps to make your home more energy-efficient. We will not be sharing the data with anyone, and we will only receive the relevant data.
Gateway hub
The Gateway is a device that collects the required data and transfers it automatically to us. The gateway will generally be placed near your fuse box, assuming there is a good signal. If not, the electrician will search for the best signal within your home and install it there.
What do the sensors do?
You will have two sensors which are discreet and secure. One will be placed in the living room and the other one in your bathroom. The one in the bathroom monitors CO2 levels, temperature, and humidity, while the one in your living room only monitors temperature and humidity. They will be placed at least 2 meters above the ground.
How long will the installation take? Will they work immediately?
The installation can take up to an hour and a half. They will start working once the electrician has activated them.
Do I need to do anything?
No, the sensors will work automatically, and they will transfer the data we require. Before we can do any work to your property, we need to gather some data from the sensors therefore there will be a period of time to allow us to collect the relevant data before any work begins.
What kind of work may I have done in my property to make it more energy efficient?
- Solar panels
- Loft insulation
- Windows
- External doors
- Wall insulation
- New heating system
How will I know what work is being undertaken and when?
Samantha our Tenant Liaison Officer will be in contact with you when you are due to have any ORP works undertaken on your property. You will be given plenty of notice and Samantha will discuss in detail the works that Newydd or our external contractors will be completing.
Feedback and surveys
We actively encourage our tenants to feedback to us on how they have found the works and if there were any issues that we need to be made aware of. Feedback and completed surveys from tenants is an important way we can learn and they can help us rectify any changes that may need to be altered to offer a better service to our tenants.
Samantha is looking for case studies to show the differences before and after the works have been completed. If you are interested in being part of a case study, please let her know.
If you would like any further information please feel free to contact Samantha on samantha.craig@newydd.co.uk
