A MAJOR housing upgrade scheme is helping residents keep warmer while cutting down on energy use.
Energy efficiency work carried out at Blackthorn Court, a retirement living scheme in Redditch, is part of a wider round of improvements funded by £6.7 million of government money from Wave Three of the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund.
Homes have received external wall insulation, new windows and doors, new kitchen and bathroom fans, and a new roof.
Susan Tyler, one of the residents, said: "My home is so much warmer now– I don’t put the heating on all day or throughout the night like I did before.
"It looks far, far better now – we are very pleased with it.
"With the cold snap we really felt the benefit of the works.
"It’s drastically different to before, it’s brilliant.
"I would 110 percent recommend having the works done."
Robert Hodgetts, another resident, also noticed a positive change.
He said: "It’s made quite a difference, I don’t have to put the heating on as often as I used to.
"It looks a lot better than it did before and we have new lights outside too which are on a sensor, and these are so useful especially at night."
The scheme was delivered by housing association Citizen and contractor Westdale West Midlands.
Bridget Guilfoyle, director of asset management at Citizen, said: "We’re delighted to have completed the works at Blackthorn Court as part of Wave Three of the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund – and it’s fantastic to hear how much of a difference this has made to customers like Susan and Robert."
The improvements are designed to help keep homes warmer while using less energy.
They also reduce the potential for mould growth.
Citizen is planning similar upgrades at properties in Worcester, Gloucester and Herefordshire over the next couple of years.
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