Cheaper bills, warmer homes - good for the planet
Our Warmer, Greener Living scheme is helping make our homes warmer, more comfortable and more energy efficient. By improving the way homes use and retain energy, we're helping customers enjoy a better living environment while reducing energy use and supporting a more sustainable future.
These improvements are part of our commitment to ensure all our homes achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least C by 2030. This supports both upcoming government energy efficiency requirements and the goals set out in our Sustainability Strategy.
What are retrofit improvements?
Retrofit is the process of improving existing homes to make them more energy efficient. This can help keep your home warmer in winter, reduce energy waste and lower the amount of energy needed to heat your home.
We’re working with our trusted energy partners, Sureserve Energy Services South West, to deliver a range of energy-saving improvements. The images below show some of the upgrades that may be installed as part of the programme.
Efficiency measures being installed
Our team take great care installing the the retrofit efficiency measures.
External wall insulation involves placing insulation on the outside face of your exterior walls and placing a smart render on top. The process helps to keep your home warmer in the winter months and give it a smart exterior look.
Cavity wall insulation involves blowing insulation into outside walls of your home, helping keep more warmth inside. The process can also involve the removal older insulation.
Loft insulation can be fitted simply and quickly to create a make your home warmer.
Solar panels provide free electricity for your home. You can find out how to get the best from Solar Panels on our dedicated solar panel web page.
Helping to lower Cecilia's bills
Cecilia Brookman, who lives in Worle, told us what how much she'd benefitted from the new solar panels, loft and cavity wall insulation that we fitted to her home.
“The difference has been enormous! The house is much warmer and more comfortable, especially upstairs.
The solar panels have made a big impact on my electricity bills. It’s really satisfying to see how little energy I’m using now.
“The workers were fantastic — professional, respectful and kept me informed every step of the way.”
Cecilia Brookman, Alliance Homes Customer
Our process
Our team will respect you and your home during the improvements. Here's how the process will work.
Several surveys will need to be carried out on your home, these will be arranged and completed by Sureserve. When we have the results, we will inform you whether your home will receive the upgrades and if so, what the next steps are.
Before we can start installing insulation at your home, we will carry out essential repairs and alterations, this may include repairing brickwork, completing ground works, installing or upgrading ventilation and altering doors and windows.
This will require a number of visits over a few weeks.
Sureserve will notify you when your installation will begin. They will provide installation dates and an estimated date of completion.
Some works may take a day or two, larger installations such as cavity wall or external wall insulation may take three weeks or more. Sureserve will keep you informed.
Once your upgrades are complete, we’ll carry out a final inspection and provide you with a helpful pack full of guidance and tips on getting the most of your home’s new features. guidance and tips on getting the most of your home’s new features.
FAQs
There is no cost to you for these improvements and your rent won’t be affected. The upgrades should save you money on energy bills. The Warmer Greener Living scheme is jointly funded by Alliance Homes and the government, through the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Scaffolding may be required to carry out works to your home. We aim to minimise the length of time scaffolding is in place. It will be removed as soon as the work is completed.
Most of the work will be to the outside of your home, though some essential work will need to be done inside.
Please let us know if you have any concerns or need extra support.
It depends on which upgrades are being done to your home - some take longer than others.
We’ll keep you updated as the work moves along, so you’ll always know what to expect.
Home energy advice
Any of our customers who'd like to get advice about their home energy use including efficiency tips, managing bills getting the most from solar panels or benefits advice can contact our Home Energy Advice Team homeenergyadviceteam@alliancehomes.org.uk.