Residents in three Salford tower blocks are set to see lower energy bills after a social housing provider secured £1.2m in Government funding to upgrade heating systems in the buildings.
Communal heating systems at Magnolia Court, Sycamore Court and Mulberry Court in Pendleton will be modernised after Salix Homes was granted a share of a £15.6 million funding pot aimed at improving old and inefficient heat networks across the country.
The cash will make the three 1960s high-rise blocks more energy efficient by upgrading old Eco-pod heating systems to newer alternatives.
Salix Homes says these improvements will tackle fuel poverty by ” helping to reduce energy bills and improving comfort in people’s homes.”
The not-for-profit housing association, which owns more than 8,000 homes across Salford, was one of the recipients in the latest round of funding via the Government’s Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES), which provides financial support to improve the performance and efficiency of existing heating systems.
“This £1.2 million HNES funding will enable Salix Homes to make important improvements to the heating systems at three of our tower blocks, supporting our wider commitment to modernising homes and making them more comfortable, sustainable and affordable for our customers,” said Glenn Martin, Director of Investment, Development and Sustainability at Salix Homes.
He added: “These upgrades will reduce energy use and cut carbon emissions, while also helping to ease pressure on household energy costs at a time when many people continue to feel the impact of rising bills. They will also help ensure our homes are fit for the future and meet emerging standards for low-carbon housing.”
The planned upgrades will include the replacement of heat interface units (HIUs) within individual flats, upgrades to heating controls and better insulated pipework.
Louise Singleton, HNES Programme Manager, added: “HNES places special focus on reducing customer detriment, and HNES support to Salix Homes is a great example of how improving existing heating systems can help to reduce energy bills for consumers and lift residents out of fuel poverty.
“We are delighted to be awarding this vital funding for residents in Salford and look forward to seeing the progress Salix Homes makes to create more efficient homes while reducing their impact on the environment in the process.”
Work on the tower block upgrades is expected to begin next year.
Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey pointed to conflict overseas when explaining the decision to award the funding.
He said: “The conflict in the Middle East has shown once again why we must get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster and onto clean, homegrown power we control.
“Heat networks will play a crucial role in that shift, lowering bills for whole communities while strengthening our energy security.
“That’s why we’re upgrading old and inefficient systems and investing in modern, low-cost networks fit for the future.”
The funding announced today (20 May) is part of the government’s mission to upgrade the nation’s homes through the Warm Homes Plan, helping families to cut energy bills and tackle fuel poverty.”
