The successful delivery of a multi-measure retrofit project to Hyde Group residents

Dyson Energy Services was proud to be selected as the approved contractor to deliver energy saving measures for client, Hyde, a provider of social housing in London and the South East, as they embarked on a pilot retrofit aimed at improving the energy efficiency and comfort of 22 homes at Maurice Close, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

The project, funded entirely by Hyde Group, aimed to address residents’ concerns regarding high heating costs and living in cold homes.

Project scope and objectives

The primary objective of the project was to enhance energy efficiency and increase the overall comfort level for residents. To achieve this, each of the 22 homes in the pilot underwent energy efficiency improvements, with the goal of raising the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating to at least Band C, with many homes achieving Band B status.

Energy efficiency measures implemented

• Loft Insulation top-up: seven homes received loft insulation top-ups to meet the recommended 300mm level, helping to minimise heat loss through the roof and improving thermal comfort.
• Solar panel installation: all 22 homes in Maurice Close had renewable solar PV systems installed, consequently reducing dependency on electricity from the grid and lowering residents’ energy bills.
• Air source heat pump installation: nineteen homes were retrofitted with air source heat pumps, offering residents an efficient heating solution, whilst reducing carbon emissions.

Resident engagement and collaboration

Ensuring effective communication between Dyson Energy Services, our client Hyde, and the residents, was crucial for the success of this retrofit project.

Together, we held two resident engagement events in the local area, close to where the work was being carried out at Maurice Close.

The first resident engagement event was held at Little Staughton Village Hall at the beginning of the retrofit pilot project. It was a fantastic opportunity for residents to speak with representatives from Dyson Energy Services, Daikin – the air source heat pump manufacturer, and our client Hyde, about the planned energy efficiency improvements. Representatives gave out general energy efficiency advice on the green measures and were at hand to answer any questions from residents.

In collaboration with a client Hyde, we held a second resident engagement event at Mandeville Hall in Kimbolton which aimed to gather feedback from residents following the completion of the project.

 

This event was designed to give residents the opportunity to ask any post-installation aftercare support questions and a great platform to hear about the benefits residents were already feeling because of the energy improvements. 

Jeanette Carter, Project Manager at Dyson Energy Services:

“We are delighted to have been the preferred contractor, working in partnership with Hyde, to deliver this multi-measure retrofit energy efficiency project.  The strong relationship we’ve developed with both our client Hyde and the residents in the local community, has made the project a delight to work on.  We are confident that residents will start reaping the benefits of this work and will see savings on their energy bills.”

Diana Lock, Energy and Sustainability Manager at Hyde:

“Upgrading the energy efficiency of our properties, to achieve an EPC rating of C and to support our residents in saving money on their energy bills, is a priority for Hyde. We listened to the residents in Maurice Close and acted by putting this pilot retrofit programme in place. Working together with the contractor Dyson Energy Services, we have installed low-carbon technologies such as Solar PV and air source heat pumps, as well as fabric measures such as loft insulation.  We are delighted with the quality of workmanship from Dyson Energy Services, from initial assessment through to installation and their efforts to communicate with our residents at local engagement events.”