Tenants feeling the benefits as council improves energy efficiency of housing stock

As winter draws in, Shropshire Council’s housing stock is well on the way to becoming more energy efficient – meaning benefits for the environment as well as the tenants.

The council’s housing services team invested £1.8 million installing 600 new heating systems last year, which are 94% efficient, compared to the old ones which have an efficiency of about 70%.

Engineers are working hard to convert more heating systems in council-owned houses, with another 600 planned to be done this financial year.

Innovative ways of saving energy are also moving forward, with air source heat pumps being installed in a small number of houses in Pant and Knockin near Oswestry.  If these prove successful, the idea is to roll them out to other homes where the system may be suitable, such as those not connected to a mains gas supply.

Councillor Malcolm Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for housing, said:

“We are working very hard to make our council houses more energy efficient, which will save the tenants money on their heating bills, as well as reducing the carbon emissions produced by our 4,200 homes.  We are also looking at more innovative ways of saving energy, such as air source heat pumps and solar panels, which could save tenants even more in the future.  The more efficient our homes are, the more value for money they provide for the tenant and the council, which is good news for everyone.”