MOST SUSTAINABLE PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATION
MODern Housing Solutions WINNER
I
n November 2005, Carillion plc and Enterprise plc formed MODern Housing Solutions (MHS) to work in partnership with Defence Estates to maintain approximately 43,000 houses across England and Wales. These properties, which vary in size, age and condition, house MOD service personnel and their families.
The work that MHS carries out has a significant impact on the quality of life for our customers and for the communities in which we live and work. We recognise that our corporate social responsibility extends beyond environmental issues and we respect the rights of the people we serve and look to invest in both the economic and social structure of their communities. MHS takes an integrated approach to
sustainability, from design, through to the Supply Chain and ongoing maintenance. We deliver strategic support to improve the use of existing facilities and under our Core Works projects, we provide upgraded buildings that are efficient in construction and operation and improve the experience of those living in them. Our approach maximises benefits to both the environment and community in the following ways:
1. Community engagement Being at the front end of service
delivery, MHS are not only in the unique position of liaising directly with its customers – the occupants of these homes – but also to instigate and co-ordinate projects that bring about much needed improvements to their communities. These successful projects are communicated in a bi-annual newsletter ‘MHS In the Community’. In addition, MHS has recently implemented a Volunteer Policy that allows staff to take up to 2 days special leave to work on community based projects.
2. Design/ Innovation
Where projects and funding allow, both Defence Estates and MHS are keen to explore the effectiveness of sustainable
solutions such as energy usage and CO2 emissions. To this end, we are currently undergoing a trial of installing ground source heat pumps in 20 properties at Chicksands in Bedfordshire. Since the ground is a very good source of heat energy, the heat can be harnessed and
used to warm the properties and in some cases, help provide hot water. The ground has a high thermal mass and because of this, the earth in the UK stays at a constant 11 - 12 degrees Celsius at a depth of 1-2m. Ground Source Heat Pumps will drive this heat from the ground in order that it can be used in the home or workplace.
At Chicksands, there will be a 110m deep borehole which will include a ground loop. This is filled with a mixture of water and antifreeze which is then pumped around the pipe and allows the heat to be absorbed by the ground. The heat pump works by using the evaporation and condensing of a refrigerant to move heat from one place to another by using the same technology as a fridge, freezer or air conditioning unit.
There are many benefits in utilising this system; high reliability, low maintenance, low noise, no local emissions and high efficiency. Although the heat pump does require electricity to work, it is extremely efficient.
3. Energy Improvements
Between November 2005 and April 2010 around 8,450 Service Family homes benefited from improved loft insulation. These homes now meet the current Building Regulations requirement of 270mm thickness for loft insulation. Loft insulation works by stopping the upwards movement of heated air, reducing the loss of heat from rooms underneath which will in turn require less heating. Around 25% of heat in a poorly- insulated house is lost through the roof. So not only are Service families able to save money on their energy bills, but as a result of better loft insulation, their carbon emissions are also reduced. From April through to June 2010, 672 properties and their occupants have already benefited from the installation of new A-Rated boilers - a result of both maintenance and upgrade works across the housing estate. This has provided the occupants with an average annual cost saving of around £400. Similar numbers over similar timescales have been delivered over the last 5 years.
4. Conservation Bat surveys undertaken by consultant
ecologists have identified bat roosts located in a number of properties across the Housing Estate, including a roost of Brown Long-Eared bats at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire. Since these types of bats are considered fairly rare in this part of the country, the roost has been recognised as one of national importance. All roosts identified on the estate are notified to the local Bat Conservation Trust to help inform their national bat roost library. As part of the refurbishment/upgrade programme, and wherever viable and possible, bat access points are being built into roofs and bat boxes are being installed on nearby trees to help enhance the local environment and encourage bats into the area.
STAFF INVOLVEMENT
MHS has always tried to raise the profile of environmental and sustainability issues within the business, both on a business and personal level. World Environment Day (WED) has been used as a catalyst for involving staff in various activities to promote the importance of key issues using the WED theme as the main focus. Everybody’s efforts are recognised in a WED Newsletter promoting further all the good work that was achieved on the day.
THE FUTURE
Both MHS and Defence Estates recognise that more can be done to make the Housing Estate more sustainable and meet future challenges and demands on energy, water and raw materials. To this end a ‘Roadmap’ is being developed, to highlight key areas for improvement. This is supported by an annual Departmental Action Plan with ownership for delivery lying with key business Directors.
CONCLUSION
Whilst we recognise the importance of the local environment and the effect that this has on communities, we will also do our utmost to support its improvement to a high standard. We realise that we must make every effort not to squander resources, which means helping households across the defence estate to be more energy efficient. We look forward to thriving communities and we will provide support to those communities in areas that are not flourishing as they should. We will not digress from playing our part in tackling global environmental challenges, in caring for our environment and in placing sustainability at the heart of our strategy for improved communities and environmental issues.
SUSTAINABLE FM AWARDS 2010 |3
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