Did you know that between 20–30% of total UK carbon emissions come from our homes through the way we live by burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil? When burned, fossil fuels release carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere. These gases are known as greenhouse gas emissions. Scientific research pinpoints greenhouse gas emissions as the fundamental factor for climate change.
At Hafod we are trying to help reduce these emissions from our homes using our Footprint Programme, which has been part funded by the Welsh Government. This programme sets out the steps we will take between now and 2036, the year we aim to be a net zero organisation. This means reducing the carbon emissions we have control over, to be as close to zero as possible.
What does decarbonising existing homes mean?
This is where an improvement or several improvements are made to a building that already exists, so for you, the home you live in. We are trying to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat our homes. By improving your home’s energy efficiency, it will reduce the amount of carbon needed, which will help us tackle climate change.
The changes we plan to make to your home will also benefit you too, by ensuring it's more energy efficient. Your home will be a healthier place for you and your family to live, plus it should also save you money by reducing your energy consumption. With rising energy costs that we have all seen in recent years, we see this as a positive step forward for you and your family.
Our plans
Our most recent funding from the Welsh Government will help us on our journey to achieve the new 2023 Welsh Housing Quality Standard by 2030 and will enable us to carry out our Footprint Programme across three Hafod locations in South Wales in 2024.
The installation of renewable energy sources such as solar panels and possibly low carbon heat sources such as ground source heat pumps (where energy comes from a natural source that has a low or zero carbon footprint) are options that may be fitted at our three sites. At the same time, we will also look to install external wall insulation, and fit new roofs and windows as highlighted by specific surveys called 'Retrofit Assessments'.
All these positive steps will help reduce our carbon emissions, tackle climate change and most importantly benefit you through reduced energy costs in the future.
Steps to complete the energy efficiency improvements to your home.
Steps to complete the energy efficiency improvements to your home.
1. Conduct a retrofit assessment.
Our contractor will carry out the first stage of this process and we will let you know who that contractor is in advance of them contacting you. We do this assessment to find out what work can be done to make your home more energy efficient.
The assessor who visits your home will ask you questions about how you use your heating and how many people live there. This is so we can calculate your homes energy use.
The assessment will take between one and a half to two hours to complete.
Along with the answers to the questions we ask you, the assessment collects information on:
Room dimensions
Details of what your home is built of
Window and door types
Heating system type
How your home is ventilated
What appliances (boiler) you have
2. Review the retrofit assessment data
The information collected from the Retrofit Assessment is then looked at in greater detail and based on what we find, it is then decided if energy efficiency upgrade works will happen. At this stage we will send you another letter letting you know the outcome.
3. Pre-Installation Building Inspection
Our contractors will visit your home once again to do more detailed checks. This is to ensure everything is ready for the installers.
This appointment normally takes from an hour to an hour and a half to complete.
4. Fit environmental sensors and a gateway hub
The sensors are small devices and will be fitted in your bathroom, kitchen and lounge. They are wireless so there are no cables leading to each sensor.
These sensors check the inside of your home and measure carbon dioxide levels, temperature, and humidity which can lead to problems such as condensation, damp and mould.
We will also need to fit a Gateway Hub in your home. This should be situated close to your fuse box, and it will be directly wired in. The Gateway Hub collects information from your alarms and environmental sensors to provide Hafod with insights that will help to keep your home healthy and safe. The Gateway hub is the size of a shoe box.
The installation of the environmental sensors and gateway hub can take from 30 minutes to an hour to install.
Please note: These monitors must be fitted before we can continue with any energy efficiency upgrade works, such as installing solar panels and/or cavity wall insulation.
5. The installation of the energy efficiency measures.
Our contractors once again will make an appointment with you to come and fit what is needed. We may need to put up scaffolding.
It is difficult to say a timescale here as it is dependent on what works we are doing. Please be assured the contractors will be working to Hafod’s code of conduct for contractors and will always leave your home clean and tidy.
6. Final stage
Our contractors do a further check to ensure everything is how it should be and safe to use. They will also help you to understand how to use any new installations to your home. We will also ask you for feedback on the process and whether you are happy with it.
Sean, one of our tenants, spoke to us about his positive experience of getting his solar panels and gateway hub fitted in his home.
Click here to read some FAQ's for solar panels and the Aico device.
Footprint community engagement days
It's been all sunshine and smiles at our most recent community engagement events, where we have met with residents at our sites and discussed our upcoming Footprint Programme.
