The Wates Group has entered the social housing retrofit market with the launch of its dedicated retrofit arm.
The construction firm says Wates Retrofit “signals the group’s commitment to net-zero carbon and to supporting those facing fuel poverty from unprecedented rising energy costs”.
The launch of Wates Retrofit comes two years after Wates Living Space – the group’s dedicated social housing maintenance business – began working with social landlords and housing associations to retrofit ageing housing stock.
The service was launched in response to government targets, which demand all social housing properties have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least C by 2030.
Wates Retrofit is set to be rolled out across the group’s energy-efficiency retrofit work, “bolstering” its commitment to the wider sustainability of the built environment.
Last year, Wates partnered with architects and engineers to launch a retrofit service aimed exclusively at the NHS in England to help decarbonise the existing hospital and healthcare estate.
In addition, Wates Residential – the group’s housing development business – has a wider strategy to ensure energy efficiency is integrated into its new-build projects.
‘Significant challenge’
Commenting on the move, David Morgan, executive managing director of Wates Property Services, said: “We embarked on our retrofit journey two years ago, and we proudly became a leader in what was a relatively new and undoubtedly significant challenge for our industry.
“There are approximately five million social housing properties in the UK; some are new and inherently efficient, but the majority are decades old.
“Every single one requires an individual design with necessary property changes, and appropriate and cost-effective energy-efficiency measures for that individual property.
“The task at hand is vast, but the knowledge and best practice we have built up positions us as the perfect partner for our customers, many of whom are themselves navigating new challenges when it comes to carbon reduction.”
He continued: “With the launch of Wates Retrofit, we make a pledge to elevate our retrofit service for both domestic and non-domestic clients.
“We will continue to work collaboratively with them to navigate grant and funding streams, ensure compliance and connect them with our specialist supply chain partners.
“Our aim is to help our clients reduce their carbon emissions, but within this vital objective is another pressing issue; families are facing rising energy costs.
“Helping to address this makes our retrofit work even more important to our business.”
Image credit: Irene Miller/Shutterstock
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