What was the Challenge
The Government has set an ambitious target to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. Housing contributes around a fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions, largely from the oil and gas used for heating and hot water. Around 10% of these emissions come from the social housing sector.
Building new homes to higher environmental standards is obviously part of the solution, but 80% of the homes we will live in in 2050 have already been built. This means that making social housing more energy efficient, and decarbonising existing homes will be critical if the sector is to cut its carbon footprint and the UK is to achieve its net zero goal.
As a provider of housing management and maintenance services, Mears is a source of positive influence in our sector with landlords, tenants and supply chain partners. The UK has set ambitious targets around carbon reduction and housing is at the forefront of this. Social Housing stock specifically has to achieve a stepped change in its energy efficiency by 2030.
The implications for local authorities and housing associations, sees a requirement to retrofit existing social housing stock to ensure it meets new carbon reduction standards.
Mears is working in partnership with Aberdeen City Council to deliver its Housing Improvement Programme (HIP) which is part of the Council’s 30-year business plan to reduce carbon emissions and improve council houses and flats.
What did we do?
Mears started working on the Housing Improvement Programme (HIP) with Aberdeen City Council in 2019, with a target on doubling in-year revenues to circa £14m with over 75% of the work focussed on energy saving measures.
The programme strategy aims to address Scotland’s ambitious Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) and required Mears to install Photovoltaic systems (PV systems) on around 900 roofs, along with External Wall Insulation, energy efficient electric heating systems and high specification window and door replacements.
Mears integrated carbon reduction measures with ongoing maintenance activities across the contract to ensure changes are made efficiently. Advice and guidance have also been delivered to tenants to help ensure the most benefits can be gained.
What were the outcomes?
In the first two years of the contract Mears installed over 780 energy efficient heating systems including over 400 photovoltaic and quantum systems.
Since the contract began Mears have surpassed the KPIs in the following areas:
- Tenant satisfaction rate target is 80%, Mears rates remain above 90%
- 100% cost accuracy
- Waste recycled is above 87% against a target of 77%
- Consultant team’s drawing and information packages above 95%
- Zero reportable accidents on site at 100%
- 100% completion rate of operation and maintenance manuals
