Smart product specification can ensure local authorities and social housing providers maximise opportunities provided by new phases of the UK Government’s decarbonisation funding schemes.

The government’s stated commitment to net zero by 2050 involves a clear focus on improving the energy efficiency performance of the nation’s housing stock and cutting carbon emissions. Poorly constructed and insulated homes let energy escape, can increase energy consumption and, in the current climate, further escalate living costs for hard-pressed consumers.

Decarbonisation Funding Schemes
In March 2023, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero released details about the next phases of three funding awards: the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, the Home Upgrade Grant, and the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. They have a combined allocation of £1.8billion.

Local authorities and social housing providers can now bid for much needed financial help to underpin energy efficiency home improvements, such as better insulation and new windows, for the housing stock under their control. Gov.UK estimates that because of the new money available in the total fund, over 115,000 homes could be assisted with essential upgrades that will help cut emissions and help tenants save money on their energy bills.

In particular, the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is designed to help public sector buildings such as schools and hospitals drive down their carbon emissions. Enhanced heating systems, powered by cleaner, cheaper, renewable energy, will help reduce the use of fossil fuels exposed to volatile global energy prices.

While the availability of such funding is welcome, it is just part of the story. It also needs to be backed with a smart specification partnership so the collective ambition to radically enhance housing stock is realised.

Window performance is viewed by many as a vital element when it comes to effective energy efficiency measures. Ill-fitting, technically deficient, and poor-quality windows only provide an inferior thermal outcome, which will negate efficiency efforts elsewhere in the home. It is therefore imperative as part of a holistic building fabric improvement strategy, that product specification focuses on how to deliver the absolute best result.

Enhancing Energy Efficiency with Innovative Window Solutions
Eurocell already collaborates with many local authorities and social housing providers to help them achieve their energy efficiency aims for tenants. Central to success so far has been the positive contribution and list of benefits from their range of high performing and innovative PVC-U window solutions, including the marketing-leading Logik System.

The advanced multi-chambered design of Logik and innovative PVC-U Thermal Inserts work together to lock in heat. This means the ‘A+’-rated windows, with u-values as low as 1.2 for double glazed units offer market leading performance and value for local authority and social housing specifiers.

Logik also supports sustainability objectives and features post-consumer recycled PVC-U in the central core of the profile with virgin PVC-U on visible faces. This ensures the same aesthetics and technical performance, but with more environmentally responsible benefits. Maximising the thermal performance of windows is vital to meet rising regulatory and customer demands.

As the new phases of the funding schemes open fresh opportunities for housing association and local authorities, enabling them to upgrade housing energy efficiency and reduce consumption, emissions and costs, the Logik window system is a prime example of how smart specification can lead to significant benefits on the ground and help to make a real difference to the lives of many.

For more information about the support the Eurocell Commercial Team can offer, get in touch:

• Kelly Hibbert, Head of Commercial
 Kelly.Hibbert@eurocell.co.uk
 07909 233921