Technology; Roofi ng Maintenance & Refurbishment; Safety & Security


Technology Feature


Implementing home energy-efficient measures is critical and the impact far-reaching, making the effort and investment well worth it


In fact, according to Citizens Advice, a large-scale drive to improve the


energy efficiency of the homes of 31 million people to a C rating by 2030 will not only cut consumers’ bills by £24bn, but will also save the NHS £2bn, reduce new cases of childhood asthma by 650,000, and prevent 570,000 children and adults developing mental health conditions associated with cold homes. Considering this, implementing home energy-efficient measures is critical and the impact far-reaching, making the effort and investment well worth it.


Additionally, the technology offers advice on financing and can ensure that any grant funding local authorities are entitled to is highlighted – a lack of funding remains a key obstacle to retrofit execution – and it recommends vetted and reliable installers. What’s more, it offers a powerful solution to promote sustainability and


engage with local communities as it can be seamlessly integrated into any existing outreach strategies, fostering stronger connections with residents and encouraging active participation in energy-saving initiatives.


COMBATTING THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS By using cleantech to drive retrofitting, local authorities can make meaningful progress in the battle against climate change. However, aside from helping them meet regulatory expectations, retrofits are an excellent way to support tenants amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis – as well as soſtening the impact of ever-rising utility bills, improving the energy efficiency of homes will improve residents’ standard of living.


Green Innovations


Bond It is using its expertise to meet the need for greater sustainability. “In line with our focus on increased sustainability,


our product range


also continues to evolve” comments Kirstie Cooper, marketing manager at Bond It. T eir approach has led to the introduction of Bond It Breeze Block Foam – a multi‐purpose polyurethane foam which is ideally suited for use as a gap-fi ller on joints where movement is likely. It can accommodate this movement whilst maintaining an airtight seal around the components, reducing heat loss and subsequently heating and energy requirements.


sales@bond-it.co.uk www.bond-it.co.uk MM10_BondIt_PR.indd 1 Gilberts raises the bar with fi re rated ventilation solutions 22/10/2024 13:30 HMM PR Edit.indd 1


Gilberts has risen to the challenge of ensuring the balance of ventilation and safety with the development of its fi re rated connection box (plenum). T e Fire Rated Connection Box (available in both top and side entry versions) achieves 60 minutes’ fi re and thermal rating to EN1366-3-2021. It means that fi re integrity of ventilation between internal compartments has never been easier to achieve. T e new plenum maintains performance integrity when tested at temperatures up to 1,000°C. It ensures that the fi re barrier through a masonry or plasterboard wall or ceiling or concrete fl oor will be retained, maintaining compartmentation. Gilberts believes it is the only plenum of its kind in the UK tested to deliver such high performance. It gives assurance that the two relevant layers of fi re safety – compartmentation and structural safety – are addressed. “T ere is no harmonised European standard for fi re testing of plenum boxes. However, it is the crucial element in retaining the fi re compartment. T e lack of a defi nitive Standard makes it diffi cult for fi re offi cers to sign off a detail. By providing them with a tested one- hour fi re and thermal rated plenum box they have the peace of mind that they have a sensible choice,” explains Gilberts’ technical director Roy Jones. “We believe it will be the ‘go to’ solution for consultants and contractors to achieve building compliance in non-domestic or multi-occupancy settings.”


01253 766911 info@gilbertsblackpool.com 42 | HMM October/November 2024 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk HMM10_Gilberts_Safety & Security - Smoke & Fire Protection_DPR.indd 1 24/10/2024 12:03


EFFECTING TANGIBLE CHANGE Improving domestic energy efficiency and decarbonisation is mission-critical to delivering on the UK’s net zero commitments, making the retrofitting challenge considerable. Overcoming it will depend on ensuring that the right improvements take place in the right properties. Realistically, considering that the UK has the most inefficient, energy-hungry,


and wasteful properties in Europe, there are very few houses in the UK that wouldn’t benefit from some form of retrofit and, while some measures may be more costly than others, there are a host of cost-effective and minimally disruptive options available today. Cleantech can help streamline the entire process by accurately showing which


property-specific energy efficiency measures can produce the biggest gains, what the cost of installation is, as well as what savings can be realised if the suggested improvements are implemented, offering local authorities the opportunity to effect tangible change and progress by drastically improving energy efficiency and making a real difference to their communities and the environment.


Nicola Kennedy is the CEO of Heero Technologies. Housing Management & Maintenance


T e Housing Management & Maintenance (HMM) website is an online provider of past and present news items dedicated to keep professionals within this sector updated with a wide range of topics including legislation, projects, products and more. housingmmonline.co.uk is a one-stop source for all the latest press releases providing any visitor with access to information about products and services that they may require. From the website, you can fi nd links to digital issues that have live links to advertisers’ sites, as well as email alerts to keep you as informed as possible.


www.housingmmonline.co.uk


15/02/2022 11:28


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