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The United Nations climate change summit, COP26 (Conference of the Parties) started on Sunday 31 October and will be running for two weeks. World leaders, negotiators and journalists from over 200 countries are meeting in Glasgow, with the aim of bringing climate change under control.
As you know climate change is causing more extreme weather conditions – we’ve recently experienced heavy rainfall and floods, as well as the past decade being the warmest on record. All governments agree urgent change is needed and during the conference, each country will showcase their plans on how they’ll cut emissions by 2030.
How will this impact you? Decisions at COP26 could change all our lives. From a housing perspective, how we heat and power our homes, as well as remaining safe against the challenging weather conditions, it’s all up for discussion.
We published a report in 2019 which highlighted that:
- 51% of the borough’s carbon emissions were generated by residential homes
- 14.6% of homes in the area were fuel poor households
- 70% of Waltham Forest’s 107,216 homes pre-date 1944
New-build properties with energy-efficient technology are only part of the solution, so it’s vital to find a way to reduce carbon emissions from existing homes, through retrofitting.
Over the next ten years we are investing £50 million in specific energy projects, as part of the council climate emergency for a zero-carbon future. A lot of projects will also be grant funded and invest in new technology to improve our housing stocks’ carbon footprint. We are concentrating on works by keeping homes warm through wall, roof and floor insulation, and new forms of heating, solar PV panels, air pumps as well as using recycled or reclaimed materials.
We will also continue our capital works investment programme, where we are investing £1 million per year in the replacement of windows and roofs, this will improve the energy efficiency of our current social housing stock and help reduce these carbon emissions.
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We have been working in partnership with Aston Group to transform a Victorian four-bedroom property, 47 Greenleaf Road, E17 6QN, into an exciting and innovative show home using energy efficient technology.
The improvements have cut the property’s fuel bills by two thirds, raised the Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) rating from an “E” to an “A”, and provided the property with a source of carbon neutral heating.
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Several free open days have been arranged up until February 2022. These days will showcase the dynamic approach to retrofitting where residents, homeowners, landlords and housing associations can learn about the improvement options available (including costs) and understand how these works can help the energy efficiency of their own home and reduce their fuel bills.
If you have ever suffered flood damage before, you will know how utterly devastating it is. If you haven’t but your home is at risk of flooding, it can be difficult to weigh up the costs of flood protection against the clean-up and insurance costs if the floodwater rises.
Working in partnership with Servicestore we are looking at demonstrating a range of flood prevention measures that are quick and easy to install and cover a wide range of budgets at our eco home. Watch this space for updates of when you can go and view them.
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We are recruiting for volunteer property tour guides. This is a great opportunity if you’re passionate about tackling climate change and want to learn more. It would involve working with a close-knit and dynamic team, sparing one or two days over the next six months, and engaging with the public.
If you have any questions, please get in touch by emailing housingstrategy@walthamforest.gov.uk.
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Southfield Court is a 1970s hostel with 40 self-contained units. We have planned retrofit work consisting of fabric improvements to the building and mechanical and electrical upgrades. A package of complementary measures has been designed which seek to reduce carbon emissions, energy use and save on fuel costs. |
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The project follows a ‘fabric first’ approach, reducing the heating demand of the building by installing wall insulation, flat roof insulation and window and external fire door upgrades. This will be followed by mechanical and electrical measures including a communal air source heat pump system, which will supply all the heating and hot water, solar PV and LED lighting to the building. All these improvements will enhance the thermal comfort for the residents whilst reducing annual emissions from 97 tCO2 to 23 tCO2.
We will be converting three existing drying areas at Sansom and Acacia Road into six new two bed maisonettes. As these will be built to high insulation standards to meet current requirements, we will be trailing the installation of air source heat pumps and hot water as well as gas boilers. |
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This will allow us to monitor and gain real data insights on air source systems being used and have a direct comparison with gas. This will provide information on their effectiveness and the costs to run the systems. But also, any implications on how they need to be run and controlled. This will provide valuable data for a longer-term installation strategy.
In 2019 the Government committed to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, we have committed to achieve this by 2030. Housing accounts for over 50% of local carbon emissions in Waltham Forest. To make an impact on these emissions we need to look at more energy efficient options. By 2030 our aim is for all our social housing to have an EPC rated B, this is in line with London Council’s targets.
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To do this, the council is investing in:
- External wall insulation
- Loft, roof and underfloor insulation
- Solar PV and glazing upgrades
- Air source heat pumps – solar assisted pumps are currently being researched
- Mechanical ventilation
- LED lighting upgrades
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Last month the Government announced the publication of the Heat and Buildings Strategy, it includes an extra £800m of funding for the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. We have put a bid in for the current round of funding to retrofit 140 of our least energy efficient properties.
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From April 2022 the government will make grants of £5,000 available to help homeowners upgrade gas boilers with clean heating sources such as heat pumps. To help showcase this new heating systems, our eco show home has been fitted with a carbon neutral heating system including an air source heat pump – learn more at one of our open days!
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 With energy prices on the rise, our contractor, Morgan Sindall can offer support through their free energy advice cafés. They run virtually on the first Friday of every month. So, if you know of someone who is struggling to pay their bills and needs advice on switching tariffs, then contact the Morgan Sindall Social Value team who can support. Drop them a line at CSR@morgansindall.com
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Why not join Morgan Sindall Property Services Green Youth Forum. The forum is for young local residents to have their say on environmental issues and help bring together their ideas on how to make Waltham Forest greener and more sustainable. You will work as a team on projects important to the forum.
For more information get in touch CSRbox@morgansindall.com.
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Small changes can make a BIG difference and there is lots of advice and free resources for residents who want to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Here are our top free tips.
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Turn down your thermostat by even a couple of degrees could save you money over time.
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Never leave appliances on standby, only turn them on when you need them.
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Turn off the lights when they're not in use. Lighting accounts for about 12% of a typical residential utility bill.
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Set your refrigerator temperature to the manufacturer's recommendation to avoid excessive cooling and wasting energy.
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Washing clothes at a lower temperature uses roughly 40% less energy, also when doing your washing make sure it’s a full load.
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Dress for the weather. When you're at home, dress in warm clothing in the winter and cooler clothing in the summer to stay comfortable without using excessive heating.
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Avoid wasting water such as showering instead of taking a bath, turning the taps off while brushing your teeth, only filling the kettle with what you need will all make a difference.
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