42 PROJECT REPORT: SOCIAL HOUSING


THE REMOTE CONTROLLED ROBOT IS INSERTED INTO THE UNDERFLOOR VOID THROUGH A SMALL HOLE CUT IN THE FLOOR


their own energy supplier to install the necessary isolator switches in each property – this could not be done by the contractors, and the cost was down to the customers. In addition, the energy suppliers were not all swift in doing these installations; legislation has since changed meaning that a wide range of firms can now install them. The solution arrived at was the customer making the outlay but the housing association reimbursing them quickly, so they can start saving money from renewables quickly.


Further measures included reroofing some properties at Ouston, including aesthetically attractive integrated PVs, and adding wall ties where needed to structurally protect them. The Otterburn offgas scheme had a few more air source heat pumps installed, but some of the properties already had them.


ROBOT-INSTALLED INSULATION The hesterleStreet scheme had solid concrete oors, so underoor insulation wasnt an option, but the wooden oors at the more rural Otterburn scheme meant it was possible. However, to do it without disrupting tenants – many of whom were older residents in bungalows – meant a very innovative approach was needed. While lifting tenants out of fuel poverty is the most important aspect of the scheme, the most eyecatching is the fact that to make the installation of underoor insulation possible without the epense and upset of residents having to be decanted, the team called in the help of a robot.


rovided by bot, the remote controlled robot, which moves using tracks, is inserted into the underoor void through a small hole cut in the oor, and sprays insulation to the underside of the suspended oors  taking around half a day per property. Crucially, the robot then verifies that the work has been done correctly, thereby obviating any chance of a ‘performance gap,’ given that it is operating unseen by human eyes (although visible through the camera). As well as quickly stopping heat loss through properties oors, it also stops draughts, bringing greater comfort all round. According to Karbon, it is a “straightforward, no hassle and costeffective solution, despite the apparently futuristic nature of the approach. But moreover, it meant a full fabric insulation was possible


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in a retrofit scenario in many of the properties underoor space permitting, making them netero ready as the grid continues to decarbonise.


CONCLUSION


EPCC 2030 is a major challenge, but Karbon Homes and the projects’ stakeholders have taken a large step towards success, at least in these two initial schemes.


Karbon Homes is also pursuing modern methods of construction (MMC) including timber framed houses and full modular builds for its new home programme. With the predictable quality from factory construction, it hopes to produce even better energy performance for its residents. In addition, the housing association is looking to provide percentage estimates to customers on running costs through its software, which will be less prone to being sabotaged by volatile wholesale energy costs, and the vagaries of residents’ different tariffs and contracts.


In April 2023, Karbon Homes was given funding from the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2.1, a grant of over £580,000 to upgrade more homes. Added to the eisting money for the retrofits already underway, arbon is putting £3.6m into improving the energy efficiency of  of the most energy challenged homes in Northumberland and ounty urham over the net two years. This net proect contributes towards a wider m retrofit investment across the North East and Yorkshire, delivered by a consortium of 18 housing associations, councils and local authorityowned organisations (ALMOs), and led by the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub. Taken together, the consortium’s projects will see energy efficiency investments made to 5,525 homes across the region, supported by a total of £32.4m pledged by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.


This not only demonstrates the awareness and foresight of the housing association, but how the Government is finally tackling the largescale retrofit which is essential for the UK to have a chance of getting close to 2050 net zero targets. And with the cost of living crisis still biting hard for many social housing tenants, this innovative project as well others underway by Karbon will provide a huge relief longterm.


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