Lowering heating costs for DGHP tenants

Around 800 tenants of Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership (DGHP) will soon benefit from better energy efficiency and lower heating costs thanks to investment of around £4 million, over the next year, to insulate and render their homes.

The insulation and rendering works are part of a two-year £8 million contract with SERS Energy Solutions (Scotland), carried out on behalf of DGHP.

Margaret Reid, of Annan, is one of those already benefitting, and she said this week that she was delighted with the work carried out to her home. Margaret, who lives in the three-bedroom property with her daughter, said: “The house looks so much better, the new rendering has made such a difference. I’m looking forward to noticing the benefits in terms of warmth in the winter months.”

As well as new insulation in the walls of Margaret’s property, new A-rated PVC windows have also been fitted to replace the old timber style windows.

Margaret, who has lived in her home for 32 years, said: “It’s really good to see the properties being invested in.”

The programme of works for rendering means DGHP tenants will benefit from new external wall insulation, cavity wall insulation as well as new rendering and roofing to some properties.

Margaret also said that she would encourage everyone who is offered the chance to have the works done to have this carried out. She said: “The contractors couldn’t have been better, they were very considerate and worked around the family, and everything went smoothly. We also have dogs and they took great care with them and with the gates when they were working outside.”

Jim Preston, DGHP’s Interim Director of Investment and Regeneration, said: “It was lovely to meet Miss Reid and hear of the benefits she is already seeing in her home. We are really pleased that the house now meets the energy efficiency standards.”

“For her to know that her home will be warmer and more energy efficient is what these investment works are all about. We want to ensure our tenants have lower energy bills and are more comfortable in their homes.

“The work we have carried out has brought Miss Reid’s home up to the new Energy Efficiency Standard introduced by the Scottish Government.”

Robert Laurie, a private owner living along the road from Miss Reid, added: “I have opted to get rendering works carried out to my house at the same time, and I can’t wait until it looks like the ones that are complete. The workers were first class, tidy and very respectful to the neighbourhood.”

Marion Gracie, Managing Director with SERS, added: “SERS are delighted to be working closely with DGHP to deliver the identified energy efficiency measures and improve the amenity of the community.

“We look forward to increasing our work rate in the better weather and thank all of the residents and neighbours for their understanding and patience during the works.”

The render and insulation works, which began in January, will take around two years and will include properties across the region, from Stranraer to Langholm. Tenants will be informed in due course if works are being carried out to their property.

Pictured: From left to right – Margaret Reid with Jim Preston, Interim Director of Investment and Regeneration with DGHP; Sandy McMillan, Senior Site Manager with SERS; Jessica Rae, Tenant Liaison Officer with SERS; and Errol Ross, Clerk of Works Investment with DGHP.