Whole House Retrofit Project

We are delighted to offer the first stages of the Northampton Whole House Retrofit project to residents in Kingsthorpe and Kingsley. 

The project is targeting homes which are expensive to heat and energy inefficient due to the way they are built. We have written to residents in eligible homes to encourage them to take part in this exciting new scheme. 

The project is completely free of charge to residents, who will benefit from: 

  • Added or improved insultation;
  • Improved windows and doors;
  • Solar panels;
  • Upgraded central heating systems; and
  • Improved ventilation. 

These improvements mean residents will see a significant reduction in their energy bills, find their homes easier to heat, and issues with damp and condensation will be improved. 

Have you received a letter from us? 

We have written to residents living in homes eligible for this project. If you have received a letter but haven't signed up yet, it's important you get in touch with us as soon as possible. 

There are a limited number of homes we can sign up to this project. If you've read through the options available but aren't sure which to choose, don't worry - we're here to talk everything through with you and work out which is right for you. 

Just get in touch with us by calling 01604 838718 or sending us an email and we'll get back to you right away! 

Read the frequently asked questions below for more information on this exciting new project!

Will the project be offered in other areas of Northampton?

Although the project is currently being offered to residents in Kingsthorpe and Kingsley, we aim to expand the offer out to all areas of Northampton.  We hope the Northampton Whole House Retrofit Project will be around for many years to come.

Why is this work needed?

Houses in the UK currently contribute around 27% of the overall UK carbon emissions - 80% of today’s houses will still be here in 2050, so we need to find solutions now to make them zero-carbon ready and this fund lets us take the first steps towards that goal.

How will the work benefit me?

Following the work, your home will be warmer for longer meaning you will use less energy and save money in the long term. You could save hundreds of pounds a year by having much lower energy bills! 

Thanks to improved circulation within your home, you should also see a reduction in damp and condensation.

The Switchee smart thermostat will improve your heating controls, helping to save you money on your bills, and will provide you with information to monitor your energy use.

Who will carry out the work?

We have partnered with energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE to carry out the work in Kingsthorpe.

ENGIE is a trusted partner of ours and has a vast amount of experience in housing refurbishment and low carbon housing solutions.

What improvements will be made to my home?

All the work completed to your home has the same aim - to keep the heat in and the cold out.

The work involves energy saving solutions including insulation of the external walls and loft, new windows and doors, draught proofing work, new central heating and solar panels.

What are the timescales for the work?

The first step in the process is to contact us to register your interest. Our contractors will then come out to survey your home - this will take around two hours to complete. The survey will calculate your home’s heat loss. Our contractors will need access to every room and no damage will be caused as part of the survey. The surveying process will take place in March and April 2021.

If your home is suitable for the work, it will be added in to the programme and scheduled to start anytime from May until December 2021. We will write to you with an estimated start date.

How long will the work take to complete?

The work will take up to six weeks to complete.

Will there be much disruption to me and my family during the work?

There will be some disruption to your home but most of it will be to the outside of your property. We will try and keep disruption to a minimum and we will tell you what needs to be done in preparation of the work.

Will there be help available during the work?

Yes. There will be a dedicated resident liaison officer available to help guide you through every step of the way.

Your letter mentioned an air source heat pump. What is this?

An air source heat pump provides heating and hot water to your home. It is usually placed outdoors at the side or back of a property. It takes heat from the air and boosts it to a higher temperature using a heat pump. The pump needs electricity to run, but it should use less electrical energy than the heat it produces. It is very efficient! 

What differences will I notice by replacing my gas boiler with an air source heat pump?

Gas boilers work most efficiently at high intesity, they give an intense burst of heat when the heating comes on, giving that familiar hot radiator feeling. They are effective at heating homes which aren't well insulated, as they replace the heat that is lost through the walls, floor, roof, windows and doors. 

Air source heat pumps work most efficiently at low intensity, working at a lower temperature over a longer period of time to provide a constant, comfortable temperature. You will notice that your radiators aren't as hot as before, but your home will feel warmer all the time. This is the most efficient and effective way of heating your home when combined with all the insulation and other improvements you will receive. 

We'll offer support and guidance to help set up your new heating system properly. 

Do air source heat pumps provide hot water?

Yes. We will need to install a hot water tank to go alongside the air source heat pump. When we come to survey your home, we will talk to you about an appropriate and convenient place to put the hot water tank, which ideally will be on the adjacent wall to the external heat pump unit.

Will the air source heat pump be connected to my radiators?

The air source heat pump will replace your gas boiler, but apart from that your heating system will look the same; you will have radiators throughout your home, and you will control the heating with a timer and thermostat.

We will install new radiators as part of the air source heat pump installation, and these may need to be sized differently.

Sounds great! How do I sign up and what happens next?

Give us a call on 01604 838718 or send us an email. We'll be able to talk through any questions you have and register your interest in the project.

Once you have registered interest in the project, we'll arrange an assessment of your home. This will involve taking measurements, assessing the current condition of your home and planning out where everything will go. We will be in touch tto arrange an appointment to fit around your plans. 

We will always call ahead of appointments and show ID when we arrive. All assessments will follow government guidelines on Covid-19 precautions.

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