yhn shift review 2014

Your Homes Newcastle SHIFT Report 2014


Introduction to SHIFT

SHIFT members are making gradual improvements to their

environmental performance. However, we must not lose

sight of the fact that the challenges we face as a society are

exceptional. The Climate Change Act 2010 sets a target of

34% less carbon emissions by 2020. The latest analysis

shows that wildlife populations worldwide have declined by

52 per cent since 1970. Water is being used at

unsustainable rates. Climate change projections show that

winter precipitation will increase as much as 20%,

increasing the likelihood of flooding.

This report celebrates those organisations that have

stepped forward to assess their environmental impacts and

are actively working to reduce them. Since its inception in

2008 with 16 founder members, the Sustainable Homes

Index For Tomorrow (SHIFT)1 membership has soared to

65 social landlords. This is making a real difference

Members are transforming around 1 million homes into

sustainable places to live. For residents this means lower

bills, more comfortable homes and a chance to contribute to

sustainable communities. For the environment this means

lower carbon emissions, sustainable use of the world’s

resources and better biodiversity. We all live in our

environment so we will all benefit.

How are they doing this? Members are independently

verified on their environmental impacts and benchmarked

against each other, the subject of this report. Members

though are also taking a number of other steps:

Influencing for greater change – members feed ideas and

policy issues to the Sustainable Homes Head of External Affairs, who works to influence

Government policies, argue for funding and circulates case studies that can help registered

1 SHIFT is operated by Sustainable Homes. Please see www.sustainablehomes.co.uk to see our other

services that we offer to make social homes more sustainable.

http://www.sustainablehomes.co.uk/


providers do more. There have been some great ideas and policy issues discussed. Keep

contacting him on policy matters you want addressing.

Demonstrating their credentials – SHIFT members are demonstrating their SHIFT

membership on line, in their foyers, in social media, in tenders, in discussions with funders or

planners, when communicating with staff or residents, when using social media and via other

avenues. Some people have recently suggested that it may also be of use to outline

membership and work going on to reduce environmental impacts and fuel poverty in value for

money reports.

Strategy – using the SHIFT guidance to help create a framework for managing sustainability

strategically. Contact your SHIFT assessor if you need more help on long term objectives or key

performance indicators.

Sharing best practice – members tell us about the good work they are doing throughout the

year. This helps the sector to learn and improve. Ideas and progress are shared either through

events, John’s Jottings or providing advice to others. It also means Sustainable Homes has

developed a wealth of knowledge on these issues.

Questions – members are asking their SHIFT contact for help on a number of issues. This has

ranged from asking thorny sustainability questions or simply asking to be put in contact with

others who may be able to solve sustainability issues.

Changing SHIFT – SHIFT was developed with social housing providers. Each year they have a

say on how the methodology of the assessment, including the questions, weightings and

guidance, operates.

Discounts – SHIFT members benefit from significant discounts on Sustainable Homes’ other

services. Talk to us about e-learning, stock energy analysis, training, resident engagement and

other consultancy work.

We trust you will find your SHIFT report useful. Our aim is for you to use it to plan your future

work in making your stock and offices sustainable and even more enjoyable places to live and

work.

Andrew Eagles and the Sustainable Homes Team


Contents

Executive summary ..................................................................................................... 6

Background ................................................................................................................. 7

Overall performance .................................................................................................... 8

Strategy and management ........................................................................................ 11

Office practices .......................................................................................................... 16

Existing buildings ....................................................................................................... 24

New build ................................................................................................................... 40

Concluding remarks ................................................................................................... 49

Appendix 1 – SHIFT corporate partners .................................................................... 53


Executive summary

All SHIFT members are to be commended. They have stepped forward to be independently

assessed. SHIFT includes analysis of some of the harder to treat environmental issues.

Baselining and measuring our impact now is crucial to achieving effective change in the future.

Baselining and measuring alone are not enough, we need to take action, constantly monitor the

impact of that action and make improvements.

SHIFT members are leading the sector in being assessed against these challenging criteria and

signing up to this agenda.

The questions and weightings were agreed with SHIFT members, the supply chain and

Government. This report provides an overview your performance against these criteria. YHN

scored 50.71 putting you in the Silver band.

The report provides a comparison of an individual organisation’s environmental impact against

all other SHIFT members in 2014. This will allow members to set realistic goals. The report also

includes examples of how best practice has been achieved, thus allowing members to learn

from each other. The report summarises the areas of YHN’s operations that are perceived to be

strengths, allowing strengths to be built upon. There are also areas that need more attention.

Focusing on these areas will ensure that sustainability progresses consistently across the whole

of Your Homes Newcastle and that all environmental impacts are addressed.


Background

YHN is an ALMO acting on behalf of Newcastle City Council. They manage approximately

30,000 properties for the City Council, Byker Trust and Leazes Homes.

The SHIFT assessment is divided into the following four sections:

strategy and management;

office practices;

existing buildings;

new build.

In each section questions are asked, each of which assesses a criterion that if fully met would

represent being on the right track to achieve or exceed minimum standards set by regulation,

voluntary standards and best practice.


Overall performance

The overall score represents how Your Homes Newcastle performed out of a scale of 100,

where 100 represents best practice in all areas. Your Homes Newcastle scored 50.71 (Silver)2.

Comparison with peers can spur competition and motivate organisations to do better. The

following graph shows performance against other SHIFT members.

Each section is weighted to reflect its importance following discussion and feedback from

members, Government officials and others. Weightings represent the impact of specific issues.

So existing homes, with the significant environmental impact from each building and the

cumulative impact of many properties, have a higher weighting than other areas. Weightings are

as follows:

2 For members who monitor their year on year SHIFT score, please note that because of slight changes

to the scoring scheme we expect a 5 point decrease against the 2012 version of SHIFT. The thresholds to bronze, silver, gold and platinum, have been reduced accordingly.

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Section Weighting

Strategy and management 15%

Office practices 15%

Existing building 45%

New build 25%

Banding is assigned according to the following categories:

Bands Total score thresholds

Bronze >= 15% and <40%

Silver >= 40% and <60%

Gold >= 60% and <80%

Platinum >= 80% and <=100%

The following graphs break down performance by size of organisation, according to the

following groupings.

Size of organisation Number of homes owned

Smaller <10,000

Medium 10,000 – 20,000

Larger >20,000

The graph below shows how YHN scored compared to its peers:

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Processes can assist in driving improvements. In particular, the following methodology can

ensure progress is tracked and real change made. It is recommended that the following process

be used to make improvements:

The remainder of this report outlines your performance in relation to each question in the

assessment. Guidance from Sustainable Homes and best practice from other SHIFT members

provide further ideas for reducing environmental impacts even further.


Strategy and management

Q 1.1 Is a sustainability strategy formally adopted by the Board/Senior Management Team?

YHN's current Environmental Sustainability Strategy is under clear document control and has a

strong supporting foreword by the Chief Executive. In addition, the new strategy was approved

19/8/14. Yes has been recorded for SHIFT purposes.

In general, most SHIFT members have some form of written strategy relating to sustainability.

The best examples of strategies include a foreword by the relevant Chief Executive which

demonstrates the full support of the executive team and the Board. Other good practice was to

embed the strategy in a formal document control system.

Q 1.2 Is the sustainability strategy regularly reviewed?

YHN's current Environmental Sustainability Strategy has a clear review date for January 2012.

This review has been delayed until 2014. "Yes" has been recorded for SHIFT purposes.

Most SHIFT members review

their overall strategy tri-annually.

This enabled consideration of

longer term objectives. However,

the action plans attached to the

strategies were reviewed more

frequently, typically every

quarter. The clearest

demonstration of an active review

process is when the review date

is stated on the strategy and also

when the SHIFT member has a

formal process which adopts

strategies within an organisation.


Q 1.3 Does the sustainability strategy cover the following areas?

Adaptation to climate change

Energy efficiency

Sustainable materials

Water efficiency

Hazardous materials

Municipal waste management

Construction waste management

Flytipping

Ecology

Green transport

Resident engagement

Staff engagement

YHN’s environmental sustainability policy addresses all the items in the SHIFT guidance.

All SHIFT members cover energy issues to one extent or another in their sustainability

strategies. Many cover resident and staff engagement. Hazardous materials and fly-tipping are

commonly covered elsewhere, for example in asbestos management strategies and estate

inspection regimes.

SHIFT members scoring well in this area have strategies covering a wide range of sustainability

issues, clearly stating the environmental context in which social landlords operate. Often

adaptation to climate change (flooding, overheating and water stress) and ecological

enhancement are omitted from strategies and it is suggested that all SHIFT members, who have

not done so already, address this issue when they next review their sustainability strategy.

Water efficiency is sometimes omitted from strategies. People in the UK are using water at an

unsustainable rate. SHIFT members, who have not done so already, may like to address this

issue when they next review their sustainability strategy.

Q 1.4 Is your strategy available in the public domain?

YHN's current Environmental Sustainability Strategy is

freely available from their website at

http://www.yhn.org.uk/about_us/strategies,_plans_and_re

ports.aspx

The most common way of making the strategy publically

available was by placing it on the landlord’s website and

most SHIFT members scored well in this category. When

this was not done there was generally a considered

reason for not doing so, and an intention to comply before long.


Q 1.5 Do the executive management team have objectives in their appraisals related to

the achievement of the organisation's sustainability objectives?

An email on 14/7/14 from the Director Property Services clearly states that they have

responsibility for delivering a defined score in SHIFT. Achieving this score requires

environmental action so "yes" has been recorded.

SHIFT members scoring well for this question tended to have corporate sustainability objectives

which were allocated to the relevant executive team member. Extracts from appraisals, job

descriptions, action plans and 1-2-1 meetings helped to demonstrate this. The objectives were

clearly linked to strategic sustainability aims.

Q 1.6 Do functional employees have objectives in their appraisals related to the

achievement of the organisation's sustainability objectives?

YHN employ two Environmental Sustainability Co-ordinators whose roles include reducing

YHN's environmental impacts e.g. reduce energy usage in the offices. Yes has been recorded

for SHIFT.

SHIFT members scoring well for this question tended to have dedicated sustainability or energy

efficiency officers, or other staff with clear objectives in these areas. That said, there is growing

recognition that sustainability must be the responsibility of all staff in an organisation and not

just a few individuals. Many SHIFT members are building sustainability objectives into the

standard staff appraisal system and/or staff inductions across the organisation.

Q 1.7 Does the action plan have clear outcome targets covering the areas highlighted in Q1.3?

The 2014-2016 action plan submitted for SHIFT

clearly showed a range of outcome targets for all of

the issues in SHIFT. A number of these were to

maintain current levels and YHN may consider

improving them in the future. However, yes has

been recorded.

It was pleasing to see that members scoring well in

this question had adopted the outcome targets promoted in previous SHIFT reports and

guidance, or a variation of them.

SHIFT members report that having clearly defined outcome targets helps them plan and

resource environmental improvements.

However, many SHIFT members still need to establish firmer outcome targets for environmental

issues. From this assessment, where SHIFT members had set outcome targets, targets relating

** Gain a presentation from a

SHIFT expert **

Ask your SHIFT contact to present

the SHIFT outcomes to your staff and

stakeholders.


to energy efficiency were the most common. Examples of clear time-bound outcome targets set

included:

achieving a minimum SAP level by a specific date;

achieving an average SAP level by a specific date;

a specific percentage reduction in stock, office and vehicle carbon emissions by a specific date;

a specific percentage of waste diversion from landfill by a specific date;

a specific target for overall waste reduction by a specific date.

For SHIFT members who need to identify them, the following list of possible outcome targets

may be of use. They are derived from a combination of government targets and scientific

evidence. It is suggested that they choose targets between their current performance and 2030

or 2050 targets.

Environmental issue Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time-bound (SMART) target

Adaptation to climate

change

100% of stock to be at low risk of flood, water stress and overheating by 2050

100% of offices to be at low risk of flood, water stress and overheating by 2050

Energy efficiency Average stock SAP of 86 by 2050

Office emissions of 25 g/m2/year by 2050

Sustainable materials 67% of office purchases to be sustainably sourced by 2050

100% of refurbishments with A+ rated windows (according to BRE Green Guide )by 2050

New build - 100% of windows, doors, roofs and walls to be A+ rated (according to BRE Green Guide) by 2050.

Water-efficiency Average household water use 130 litres per person per day by 2030.

Office water usage to be 3m3/ employee or less by 2030

Hazardous materials

100% of asbestos inspections carried out each year

Municipal waste

management

100% of homes fitted with internal recycling bins by 2050.


Office waste reduced to zero kgs/employee by 2050.

Construction waste management

Contractors to achieve 100% diversion of waste from landfill by 2050.

Fly tipping

Zero flytipping by 2050 as monitored by internal estate inspection regimes.

Ecology

67% of existing stock to have ecological enhancement by 2050

Green Transport Business vehicle emissions reduced to 2.6 kg CO2/home managed /year by 2050

Resident/staff awareness raising

65% of residents and staff actively communicated to sustainability objectives by 2050

Q 1.8 Do you monitor and report environmental impacts to board for the environmental

topics highlighted in Q1.3?

Progress reports on the new strategy are yet to be issued. The Customer and Service Delivery

Committee report from 15th July 2013 did identify progress on resident engagement. It was

understood that fly-tipping and asbestos were monitored elsewhere in YHN.

In general more targets are being set. However, monitoring progress towards them still needs

work.

SHIFT members scoring well in this section have some form of consistent monitoring system,

commonly a scorecard, which compared actual performance against established outcome

targets (see Q1.7).

Some SHIFT members use KPI management software to report on their environmental

objectives which has the advantage of showing the trends of chosen KPIs. It was noted that

some SHIFT members had ISO14001 accreditation. Often the ISO14001 accreditation was for a

limited area of the organisation and not all the environmental impacts addressed by SHIFT will

be addressed with this accreditation.


Office practices

Q 2.1 Do you have a plan, with assigned responsibilities, for reducing the environmental

impact of your office(s)?

The current and draft action plans contain actions to reduce environmental impacts of offices.

Yes has been recorded for SHIFT.

Many SHIFT members had included office environmental action plans in their overall action

plans. Best examples from this assessment included SHIFT members who had drawn up

dedicated action plans to address a wide range of office environmental issues.

Best plans also save money as well as carbon emissions and physical resources.

Q 2.2 What percentage of your staff are actively informed about sustainable behaviours in the workplace?

YHN's corporate induction programme has a section which covers environmental sustainability.

It was not clear how many staff had used the new environmental learning module. An 2013

employee survey showed that 80% of staff thought YHN was environmental.

It was clear from the assessment that most SHIFT members had been very active in pro-

actively engaged staff on sustainability issues. Examples of the types of initiatives include:

climate change week activities;

regular competitions;

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green inductions for new starters;

a “virtual pub quiz”;

Fair Trade pledges;

balloons on computers (to signify carbon from PCs left on overnight);

dress up as nuns to get out of the “habit”;

chocolate rewards for turning off monitors;

Eco-driving training;

A temporary eco-Kasbah in the office to showcase environmental items;

blind paper testing between FSC and non-FSC paper.

Where 100% of staff had been actively engaged, this had been achieved through cascading

sustainability information using monthly management team briefs. This had the advantage of

sustainability being constantly communicated

throughout the organisation on a regular basis.

Several SHIFT members had used e-learning

training software to train staff on environmental

issues. Each staff member had the responsibility to

undertake the web-based training each year and

this activity was monitored and progressed by the

HR department.

Q 2.3 Which of the following issues does your

communication on sustainable behaviours at work cover?

Energy efficiency

Water efficiency

Office waste and recycling

Transport

Responsible product sourcing

YHN uses various means, eg Efficiency Forum posters, Team Brief (April 2012, Investment Plan

May 2013), Power of Ten (all staff, April-May 2014) and internal targets (Make the Money

Deliver). Supporting detail for these was seen on the SHIFT visit.

SHIFT members doing well in this category communicate across the full range of environmental

issues. Examples of communications included posters encouraging environmental behaviours,

“Switch Off” stickers, reminders about turning off taps and reducing water use, articles in staff

newsletters, intranet information and articles and occasional environmental staff e-bulletins.

One SHIFT Member used SHIFT guidance to help inform their communications.

** Sustainable Homes Academy **

Members may benefit from the

Sustainable Homes e-learning

academy. It covers fuel poverty,

renewable, funding and other topics.

Ask your SHIFT contact for details.


Q 2.4 What are the CO2 emissions from ALL your offices (kgCO2/m2/yr)?

Data from the environmental co-ordinator showed that 400 tonnes of carbon a year is emitted

from the offices. This equates to 129 kg CO2/m2/yr. This has been recorded as 125 kg CO2/m

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due to software constraints. YHN ought to address this high figure.

Most SHIFT members continue to monitor the carbon emissions from their offices. SHIFT

members achieving low carbon emissions do so through a range of measures. These include:

disposing or moving out of energy inefficient buildings; installing LED lighting; installing highly

efficient air-conditioning with variable air handling fans and accurate temperature controls; using

run-cool computers; re-using warm air from computer server rooms; installing photo-voltaic

panels and solar thermal panels; replacing kettles with hot water urns with timers; using Building

Energy Management Systems (BEMS).

Some members had Display Energy Certificates which helped monitor the energy efficiency of

their offices. Rented and/or shared offices still presents a problem for some members. Some

had contacted their landlords to find out what could be done to improve the energy efficiency.

One SHIFT member, with multiple offices, had set up a benchmarking league table to compare

and contrast carbon emissions from each office. Energy efficiency objectives set for locally

based staff resulted in reduced emissions and reduced energy bills across the organisation.

Another member had surveyed staff to agree a comfortable temperature. This temperature was

used as the setting for heating controls.

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An interesting approach came from a couple of SHIFT members who installed dummy heating

controls in the offices. Staff were free to adjust these controls as much as they pleased. They

were not connected to the heating system but the placebo effect seemed to keep staff happy

with the thermal comfort in their offices.

Q 2.5 Are your offices at low risk of overheating?

Air-conditioning was noted at the SHIFT visit so yes has been recorded. This will reduce

overheating but increase energy costs. It is suggested that YHN look into upgrading to more

efficient models which other SHIFT members have done.

SHIFT members doing well here tended to be in new or newly refurbished offices which had had

overheating reduction measures fitted as a result of the build process, or had had older offices

with specific problems that they had addressed. Low energy examples included brise soleils,

using shading plants and reflective windows. Some SHIFT members did have air-conditioning

installed but they recognised that this would contribute to office carbon emissions. Overall it

appeared that overheating issues were addressed either as part of major office refurbishment

exercises, or as an individual action, but mostly not due to comprehensive risk assessments of

overheating. It is recommended that all SHIFT members undertake such assessments to ensure

they are ready to meet further changes to our climate.

Q 2.6 What is the water usage from ALL your offices (m3/employee)?

Monitoring data from the environmental co-ordinator showed that the office water usage was 5

m3 of water per employee per year. A low figure but still some scope for improvement. Saving

hot water also saves energy in the offices.

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Best examples of reducing water use included the installation of low flow showers and taps.

Toilets with low capacity cisterns were also installed. Some members identified water leakages

by regular monitoring and were able to challenge the supplier over utility bills. Again

shared/rented offices still present a problem for some SHIFT members.Q 2.7 How much waste

have you diverted from landfill (compared to your baseline, 0%= none diverted, 100%= all

diverted)?

Detail supplied by the environmental co-ordinator showed that an incredible 99% of office waste

had been diverted from landfill. This was mainly due to recycling activities. YHN may consider

reducing waste generation next which will also cut costs.

Most SHIFT members are achieving high diversion rates by:

using waste contractors with good waste management credentials;

having recycling schemes set up in their offices;

re-using furniture in other offices;

recycling toners and cartridges (see also notes on “solid ink” in Q2.10);

switching to centralised photocopiers and printers which led to reduced generation of waste in the first place.

Some SHIFT members had reported significant cost savings when

adopting “follow me” printing. “Follow me” printing is a system where

the person printing has to be physically present at the printer in order

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"Grime scene" investigation - checking recycling is in order. Permission from A2Dominion


to receive the printed sheet. Other reported advantages of centralised printers were more room

on desks and less overheating in offices.

Although diversion rates tended to be high, it was noticed that actual generation of waste was

still high. It is good that it is diverted from landfill, but reducing the waste generated in the first

place is better. It saves resources and saves costs.

Q 2.8 How many actions from the "transport plan" action list in the guidance notes do

you implement within your office(s)?

The environmental co-ordinator reported nine initiatives that YHN carried out to encourage staff

green transport. These included showers (seen on visit), public transport discounts for staff, car

share scheme and energy efficient company cars.

The most common actions carried out by SHIFT members in the transport area included: office

showers, cycle storage or offering cycle to work schemes. Some members offered pool bicycles

for staff.

Q 2.9 What are your carbon emissions for business mileage, per home managed?

Details based on finance mileage claims and environmental co-ordinator showed that 104

tonnes of carbon were emitted due to business mileage. This equates to 4 kg CO2/home

managed and has been recorded for SHIFT.

This is a new question in SHIFT and an area that has not been regularly monitored, despite the

high carbon emissions arising from business travel. The chart shows a wide range of emissions

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per home managed. Actions that members are taking to reduce carbon emissions from

business mileage include:

using waste contractors with good waste management credentials;

having recycling schemes set up in their offices;

re-using furniture in other offices;

recycling toners and cartridges (see also notes on “solid ink” in Q2.10);

switching to centralised photocopiers and printers which led to reduced generation of waste in the first place.

Q 2.10 What percentage of your office consumables are responsibly sourced?

The SHIFT visit identified 28% of responsibly sourced products including all janitorial supplies.

Only 50% of paper had been assumed to be green, as none was found on the SHIFT visit, but it

was understood that this had later been resolved.

SHIFT members scoring well in this question had done

so by using “Green Switch” options from office suppliers,

using FSC paper, envelopes and Fair Trade products. It

was encouraging to note that many SHIFT members

were now asking their suppliers about this issue and it is

hoped that this is having an effect.

Although most members sent used printer and copier

toner cartridges for recycling there seemed not to be

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many suppliers who could demonstrate that new cartridges were refurbished or contained

recycled content.

New “solid ink” technology for printers and copiers has been installed by one SHIFT member

alleviating the need to buy cartridges altogether. The member is happy with the print quality.

Q 2.11 Are your offices at low risk of flooding?

Environment Agency maps show that YHN House is located in an area of low risk of flooding.

YHN should be aware that EA surface water flooding maps are now also available. Yes has

been recorded for SHIFT purposes.

Where SHIFT members had identified a risk, corrective actions included registering with the

Environment Agency for early flood warnings or installing flood protection measures. Some

SHIFT members report that their insurance companies require additional flood risk assessment

beyond that given in the Environment Agency flood map. One SHIFT member had identified a

risk of flooding in one of their offices and as a result had raised the level of their utility meters in

one office and installed a non-return valve in a soil pipe. There has been no flood damage

reported since this action was taken.

Another SHIFT member had in fact experienced surface water flooding in their relatively new

office. As a result they installed flood protection, but only after a lengthy and disruptive

refurbishment process.

Most members had identified that the Environment Agency flood maps now include surface

water run-off risk.


Existing buildings

Q 3.1 What is the average SAP rating of your existing stock?

Extensive data originating from the Apex database showed that the average SAP rating for YHN

properties was 71. This figure had been adjusted to take account of different rdSAP

methodologies. Further data updating is expected to increase this figure.

SHIFT members with particularly high average SAP ratings had

achieved this by making energy efficiency improvements as a

result of schemes such as Decent Homes and various funding

arrangements, including Feed In Tariffs for photovoltaic systems.

It was clear from the assessment that SHIFT members are

actively aiming to improve their SAP levels. In some cases,

members were prioritising those properties with the lowest SAP

ratings in order to tackle fuel poverty risk throughout their stock. A

minimum SAP of 60 or 65 was often cited as a target for

members.

In one case a “SAP80” project had been initiated. The aim was to

improve each home as it became void to a SAP rating of 80

where economically viable.

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Photo with permission from Sanctuary and Ed Maynard Photography


Q 3.2 What is the lowest SAP in your stock?

Data from the Information Team showed 16 F-band properties and 2,266 E-band. Using band

mid-range SAP ratings this gave the average of the lowest performing homes as 47. It is

suggested that YHN tackle these homes as a priority to reduce fuel poverty.

This is a new question for 2014. We know that average SAP is a good environmental indicator

but it does not allow focus on homes with low SAP which may well house people in fuel poverty.

Improving homes with low SAP will also raise the average SAP. Most members reported the

average SAP of the lowest 10% of

homes. This was to exclude

outliers such as homes where

residents had refused upgrade

works.

The CROHM chart shows the

range of minimum SAP scores.

The main barrier to improving

these homes was lack of funding.

The recent reductions in ECO

funding had halted many

refurbishment plans.

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A typical output from CROHM analysis showing costs to achieve specific SAP targets


There was a growing recognition that a strategic approach to energy efficiency improvements

was far better than an ad hoc approach, responding to various funding streams.

Q 3.3 What % of your stock is covered by valid EPCs?

Data provided by the environmental co-ordinator and based on Apex data from the Information

Team showed that there was 33% EPC coverage for YHN stock.

EPCs are required at re-let as part of legal obligations. Some members had made considerable

efforts to gain high EPC coverage to inform their asset management plans.

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** CROHM **

Many SHIFT members have found the

independent and flexible CROHM

strategic appraisal tool useful. A typical

(but far from only) output shows the

costs of achieving a minimum SAP level

for all properties. Ask your SHIFT

contact for more details.


Q 3.4 What percentage of your residents have been actively engaged to help them reduce

energy use in the home?

Nine per cent of YHN's residents had benefited from active engagement on energy issues.

Initiatives included, Energy For The Future, Energy SLA events, Energy Best Deal and

Business Strategy Consultation event 29th April 2013.

SHIFT members achieving high levels of active resident engagement use a variety of means.

These include:

contracting gas servicing engineers to give out energy efficiency advice on the same visit as the annual gas service ;

wide scale door knocking programmes to pass on energy saving advice;

identifying residents most at risk of fuel poverty and arranging visits with “energy doctors”, energy advisers and financial inclusion officers;

community engagement events where energy efficiency advice was handed out at the same time;

training front facing staff in energy awareness so that they could relay advice to residents;

having residents included in energy research e.g. National Energy Study;

providing an interactive house to show residents how to reduce energy.

Savings of up to £170 on average per customer were reported.

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Q 3.5 What percentage of your residents have you given the following information:

to help them reduce energy use in the home?

water saving measures?

on adapting to the effects of climate change?

The April issues of Homes & People has energy tips and went to 100% of residents. Uniquely,

the December 2012 issue had flood advice. 100% of residents have access to YHN internet

energy and water saving tips.

Generally SHIFT members achieved high levels of passive engagement on energy efficiency by

covering it regularly in residents’ newsletters. Articles which covered energy and water saving

tips were common practice. High scoring SHIFT members circulate information about adapting

to the effects of climate change.

It is notable that digital inclusion is developing this year, compared to previous years. Some

SHIFT members are starting to use electronic media to communicate energy efficiency advice

to tenants, with some members offering energy efficiency advice to their residents on their

websites. The advice is dedicated to saving energy in the home and of good quality. One

member was phasing out residents newsletters as they have found that residents did not read

them. Another member offered residents the opportunity to opt-in to an email version of the

newsletter and found that there was considerable take-up for this as an alternative, allowing

them to monitor whether the newsletter was actually opened, and also to reduce print and

delivery costs.

Q 3.6 What percentage of your front line staff are trained to advise residents on energy

efficiency?

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Extensive data compiled by the Environmental

Sustainability Co-ordinator showed that 6.3% of

frontline staff had received training to enable

them to advise residents on sustainability

matters. Examples included DEA training and

Energy Best Deal training.

Where high levels of relevant training were

achieved, SHIFT members’ staff had received

training to help residents with energy bill

reduction and, in several cases, staff had been

trained to help residents with water reduction

measures as well.

The standard of training varied throughout the

membership. Some had staff with dedicated Domestic Energy Assessor training and others

relied on internal training to educate front facing staff on sustainability issues. These included

“tool box” and “twilight talks”.

Q 3.7 Do you have a policy of sourcing maintenance contractors/subcontractors on the

basis of their environmental credentials e.g. the sustainability of their practices/material

use?

A recent example of a kitchen replacement specification showed that the contractor, as part of

the procurement process, had been required to provide method statements on recycling and

carbon emission reductions. Yes has been recorded for SHIFT.

Most SHIFT members had a policy of exploring the environmental credentials of potential

contractors. SHIFT members performing well in this area had sections in their PQQs and had

clauses in their contract documents requiring contractors to have good environmental

credentials, such as diverting waste from landfill. This enabled them to extract environmental

information from the contractors, such as recycling rates on maintenance contracts. In turn, this

went some way to encourage higher levels of recycling.

Q3.8 Do your maintenance staff use sustainable alternatives to the following materials?

Pesticides

Herbicides

Cleaning products

Fittings

Other sustainable

** Sustainable Homes training **

Clients give us excellent feedback on

our training. This means that your staff

will gain an excellent understanding of

energy efficiency, fuel poverty and other

sustainable housing issues. Please

contact us about our courses and in-

house options.


YHN's procurement officer confirmed that horticultural suppliers used no peat and that cleaning

service providers used environmentally friendly products. Heat-savers are fitted on new boilers.

YHN also have non-pesticide areas clearly marked. 4 items have been recorded.

SHIFT members that performed well for this question had:

reduced herbicide usage and shredded prunings to be used as mulch;

saved £17,000 a year by composting their own green waste;

used sustainable alternatives to pesticide;

fitted LED lights in communal areas;

ensured that cleaning contractors used eco-friendly cleaning products;

used de-ionised water for window cleaning which negated the need for detergents and made the surfaces stay cleaner for longer;

used electric vans in their maintenance fleet;

installed roof tiles which absorb NOx gases (gases causing low level smog).

SHIFT members were able to obtain supporting information for this question by requesting

information from their sub-contractors.

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Q 3.9 Water efficiency

Data from the asset management team showed that 152 lpd was the water efficiency of YHN's

stock. 99% of homes with low flush WCs, 1% with low flow taps, 41% flats/water butts and 6%

of properties with water meters contributed to this figure.

The majority of SHIFT members were able to estimate

the average water usage rate using the SHIFT water

usage calculator. In many cases, exact information

about the amount and type of water fittings installed in

properties were not known and the default values given

in the SHIFT guidance was used. This was based on

typical water fittings installed in build years.

Best practice amongst members was to specify water

efficient devices in the refurbishment specification for

kitchens and bathrooms. They were able to use this

information to feed into the water calculator. Members

with high water efficiency had high levels of water

meters and newer properties.

In addition, properties built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 or above, and now in asset

management, had contributed to lower average water usage rates.

In some parts of the country, some members had worked with local water authorities on retro-fit

water meter programmes, and on fitting low-flow devices. These were carried out together with

120

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Wate

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/da

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Combismart hot water saving device. Permission from Save Water Save Money


intensive resident liaison and were reported to have been accepted by residents. One outcome

is lower costs for residents.

The Environment Agency has stated that, with growing water stress as a result of climate

change, an average water usage rate of 130 litres per person per day was required by 2030.

The current UK average is down from 160 to 150 litres per person per day. So, whereas SHIFT

members have worked well to ensure lower than average water usage rates, they are

encouraged to change refurbishment specifications such that water efficient devices are

automatically installed, to both move toward the Environment Agency target for water use, and

also to help reduce costs for their residents.

Some members had retrofitted water saving devices on boilers, which also saves water heating

costs.

Q 3.10 What percentage of waste generated by refurbishing existing stock is recycled or reused?

Recycling reports from YHN's contractor Straightline Construction shows that recycling rates

were 96%.

By selecting contractors with good environmental credentials, SHIFT members were able to

obtain detailed recycling rate information. Detailed reports from contractors were generally

available which provided a detailed breakdown of diversion from landfill rates, often on a

monthly basis. In some cases, SHIFT members had made recycling targets a contractual

obligation.

One notable scheme was where furniture taken from a void was offered to other residents.

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Re

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div

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(%)



Q 3.11 What percentage of your total existing stock are provided with the following waste

management facilities?:

Designated internal space for recycling bins/bags

Composting facilities (where applicable)

14% of YHN's stock has composting facilities. YHN's interesting Garden Care scheme meant

that waste from these clients was composted. In addition brown wheelie bins were positively

identified in 2669 properties. 0% of homes had internal recycling bins.

In most cases, SHIFT members reported homes built to sustainability standards such as Code

for Sustainable Homes or Ecohomes as having dedicated internal waste recycling bins.

One member is actively looking for a retrofit solution. We will report when it has been trialled.

Some SHIFT members with care homes were able to demonstrate dedicated recycling facilities

at these premises.

More is now known about compost bin installation. In some cases SHIFT members were able to

take advantage of local authority kitchen waste collection scheme and 100% of kitchens had

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ins (

%)


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composters. In other cases, SHIFT members were able to demonstrate that compost bins were

installed as standard for homes built to high sustainability standards. Additionally, compost

facilities had been installed on estates, and residents seemed to enjoy using them, and then re-

using the compost on the flower and vegetable gardens also established.

Some members had even trained residents on using wormeries.

Q 3.12 What percentage of existing residents have received information on the following

environmental issues?:

Bulky waste collection service

Domestic waste and recycling

100% of YHN's residents are within the Newcastle City Council boundary and received the

Spring 2014 newsletter. Page 17 gave tips on recycling and bulky waste collection services.

Similar information is given in tenants handbooks for new sign-ups.

Many SHIFT members felt that local authorities were promoting recycling, but some SHIFT

members did write additional articles in their residents newsletters, aimed at encouraging

residents to participate in local recycling schemes. Some members had tenancy agreements

which specifically stated that tenants were to contribute to local authority recycling schemes. In

addition, more members are putting details on their websites.

SHIFT members scoring highly in this section also have newsletter and website articles detailing

procedures for residents for bulky waste removal. Some SHIFT members are providing leaflets

with new tenancies, or including the information in their new tenancy packs, which informed

residents about bulky waste removal procedures.

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Q 3.13 What percentage of your total existing stock have been provided with the

following?:

Address specific sustainable transport options

Cycle storage facilities

YHN do not currently give address specific information to residents to encourage them to use sustainable transport. It is suggested to provide links on their website and communicate these to residents.

The most common way of demonstrating how sustainable transport has been communicated to

residents is by providing a Home User Guide (HUG) for homes built to the Code for Sustainable

Homes standard. Intrinsic in the guide is detailed information about local sustainable transport

options. Introducing this into the HUG or new tenancy packs issued to new tenants of all

properties is highly recommended.

The HUGs were only given with new build. High scoring members who were also promoting

digital inclusion had Sustrans information on their website which allowed residents to find local

sustainable transport options. Some members are producing neighbourhood specific

sustainable transport advice.

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Q 3.14 What are the vehicle carbon emissions from homes maintenance activities?

Detailed calculations from the Environmental co-ordinator showed that the maintenance fleets

emitted 952 tonnes of carbon. This equates to 36 kgs CO2/home managed and has been

recorded as 30 kgs CO2/home managed as it is higher than the maximum.

This is a new question in 2014. Sometimes,

but not always, SHIFT members with stock in

small concentrated areas had low

maintenance emissions per home managed.

However, some members actively pursue

measures to reduce fuel costs for their

maintenance fleet, and hence reduce carbon

emissions. Measures include:

smaller maintenance vans;

vehicle tracking software;

trialling electric vehicles.

ensuring that many repairs could be achieved in one home visit, rather than respond to each repair individually which cuts mileage and hence carbon emissions;

mopeds for smaller jobs.

Members also ask contracted maintenance firms to disclose their carbon emissions. It is hoped

that this will prompt contractors to reduce emissions too.

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Q 3.15 What percentage of your total existing stock has been positively identified at low

risk of:

Flood (surface water, fluvial and tidal)?

Overheating?

A detailed flood risk assessment showed that over 99% of YHN's properties were at low risk of flooding. A similar internal report based on Newcastle City Council work showed that 98% of homes were at low risk of overheating.

Increasingly, more SHIFT members are addressing the flooding effects of climate change. This

has arisen due to flooding incidents within their stock areas. As a result, some SHIFT members

have had comprehensive flood risk assessments carried out and many other SHIFT members

are assessing parts of their stock and taking corrective action. The corrective actions are often

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100 99

Ho

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s a

sse

sse

d a

t lo

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f flo

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ing

(%

)


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100 98

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%)



to inform residents of the danger and advising that appropriate insurance is taken out. SHIFT

members who do well in this section carry out full risk assessments of all their stock, using

external expert consultants, or the Environment Agency flood maps. As a result they have been

able to identify those properties that require urgent works, and to complete these works, and

also to identify which are in low risk areas and as a consequence do not need to prioritise works

for those properties.

One member has a responsive action arrangement with their maintenance contractors.

Properties that have been built to the Code for Sustainable Homes standard have automatically

been adapted to climate change as a result of the design and build process. Flooding,

overheating and water stress are addressed in this standard.

In addition to assessing the overheating risk of new build properties, some SHIFT members

have retrospectively assessed the overheating risk in care homes, to ensure that excess

summer deaths are avoided amongst their older residents. Overheating studies tend to have

been conducted with local universities.

Water stress is the other main risk from climate change that social housing faces. The water

calculator in Q 3.9 shows members how much their stock is contributing to water stress. This

can be done by comparing their stock’s water usage with the 130 litres per person per day

objective stated by the Environment Agency.

Some SHIFT members present information to residents to raise awareness of climate change

issues. Examples of good practice include providing this information in welcome packs issued to

all new tenants, or an extra section in the Home User Guide for new build homes providing

information over and above that required by the Code for Sustainable Homes. It is highly

recommended that all SHIFT members start to include information on adapting to climate

change in all new tenancy packs.

Q 3.16 What percentage of your total existing stock have ecological enhancements?

Approximately 3% of YHN's homes had ecological enhancements. Detail from the "Edible

Elswick" project, Jesmond Dene bird boxes project and herb growing in the sheltered housing

stock contributed to this level of enhancement.


Ecological enhancement of properties remains a difficult area in which to establish a metric

which is readily available to SHIFT members and also reflect enhancements that have taken

place. Nevertheless, many SHIFT members have carried out a variety of actions and others are

considering further work.

Common actions include:

conversion of amenity land into food growing areas and allotments;

requiring contractors to build new homes with ecology points in the Code for Sustainable Homes;

having dedicated planting schemes in care homes with herb and food gardens;

tree surveys;

green roofs, living walls;

turning garage areas into communal gardens.

One SHIFT member operating in an entirely urban environment has installed ecological

enhancements to 75% of its estates, increasing satisfaction in the process and proving that high

levels of enhancement can be achieved. At least one SHIFT member has changed grounds

maintenance contracts to ensure that a wildlife area is included. An additional benefit of this

approach is reduced maintenance costs.

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New build

Q 4.1 What percentage of new builds completed since April 2012 have achieved the

following levels (include Section 106 and bought in)?

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Information provided by YHN's Head of Development and Procurement showed that 100% of

recent new builds were to Code level 3. The CSH certificate for 1 Lemington Court supported

this information.

The charts show that the majority of new build in the

last two years has been to Code level 3. In contrast to

previous years, fewer homes are being built to higher

sustainability standards.

SHIFT members scoring highly in this category have

internal policies which require them to build to high

code levels. They view this as a long term strategy

with benefits such as lower rent arrears and ease of

subsequent planning applications in the local area.

It should also be noted that there are still a number of

homes built to lower than code level 3 standards.

These are often Section 106 homes or other homes

bought “off the shelf”. They have been bought without

HCA funding and hence do not necessarily meet the

HCA sustainability standards. This is a worrying trend

because these homes, when handed over to asset

management, will not necessarily improve the

sustainability of the whole stock.

Architectural PV also used as external shading. Permission from Catalyst.


Q 4.2 What percentage of your new builds designed or currently on site are aiming to reach the following levels?

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future builds will be to Code level 3. It is suggested that YHN develop homes to higher code

levels in advance of future building regulations.

Current HCA policy still requires Code Level 3 standard as a minimum and this is reflected in

many future build programmes. There are however some exceptions. SHIFT members building

in London now often build to Code level 4 and other SHIFT members have decided to have

internal policies to build to higher code levels to reflect their commitment to sustainability.

The Housing Standards Review is causing concern for many members. Many wish to build to

affordable sustainability standards but there is a lack of certainty about what future standards

may be. We would advise members to work with asset teams to ensure that new homes help

achieve existing homes sustainability performance. We advise that new homes are built with a

specified minimum SAP rating, good water efficiency and other environmental features. Once

these homes are handed over they will improve the overall sustainability of existing stock.

Q 4.3 Do you have a policy of only sourcing contractors/subcontractors with a proven

track record of abiding by Considerate Constructors Scheme requirements?

YHN's standards prelims document (Standard Ncle Prelims - 2011) showed that contractors are

required to register sites with the Considerate Constructors Scheme. Yes has been recorded for

SHIFT.

Most SHIFT members required their construction contractors to register the sites with the

Considerate Constructors Scheme. As well as resulting in a smoother build process for people

living next to the building sites, scores on the Code for Sustainable Homes are increased.


Q 4.4 What percentage of your new builds completed since April 2012 are on brownfield

sites?


homes were built on brownfield sites. It is suggested that YHN try to compensate with ecological

enhancements when building on greenfield sites.

As described above, availability of land was the main driver which determined whether or not

development took place on green- or brownfield land. In rural locations SHIFT members

reported that finding brownfield sites was a problem, but they compensated by improving the

sustainability of their new build.

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De

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(%

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Q 4.5 What percentage of your new builds completed since April 2012 incorporate a

green travel plan for residents according to the circumstances of the residential area?


new builds were supplied with a code compliant Home User Guide which informs residents on

local sustainable transport options. The HUG for Cypress Avenue was provided.

Most SHIFT members opted to provide residents in all new build properties that were built to the

Code for Sustainable Homes standard, with a Home User Guide. The guide, which is rewarded

in the Code for Sustainable Homes, has a dedicated section on sustainable transport options

that are applicable to a particular address.

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s)



Q 4.6 What percentage of residents in new builds completed since April 2012 were

provided with a Home User Guide which incorporated information about measures to

reduce their personal environmental impact?

As in Q4.5 100% of residents in new builds were supplied with a code compliant HUG. This also

gives information on how residents can lead more sustainable lives.

As with sustainable transport, most SHIFT members opted to provide residents in all new build

properties with a Home User Guide. The Guide, which is rewarded in the Code for Sustainable

Homes, has a dedicated section on encouraging residents to reduce their personal

environmental impact.

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pa

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(%

)



Q 4.7 What percentage of residents in new builds completed since April 2012 were

provided with information about measures to adapt to and cope with the effects of

extreme weather events relating to climate change?

0% of homes were supplied with information about adapting to climate change. It is suggested

that YHN do this in future.

Only a few SHIFT members scored well in this section. They had done so by including a new

section in the Home User Guide which advised residents on how to cope with climate change

impacts. This is not a standard clause in a Home User Guide.

Other SHIFT members had provided residents of new build properties with leaflets on climate

change impacts as a part of new tenancy packs and via their website.

Some members are considering re-explaining environmental features after 6 weeks. The reason

is that on sign-up they feel that there are already too many other things for the resident to take

in. They find it more effective to re-visit after 6 weeks and then explain the heating controls.

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clim

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ch

an

ge

imp

acts

(%

)



Q 4.8 What percentage of your new builds completed since April 2012 are located in flood

risk areas according to Planning Policy Statement 25 "Development and Flood Risk"?


new builds were in low flood risk zones.

The chart above shows that most new build is in low flood risk zones. This does however mean

that some stock is still being built in medium and high flood risk areas. This is often at the

request of the local authority to meet local housing needs, and substantial flood mitigation

measures are also put in place. It was noted however, that one of the mandatory requirements

of the Code for Sustainable Homes is to reduce surface water run-off caused by the new build.

For Section 106 properties this requirement is not mandatory and tends to be at the discretion of

the local planning authority.

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Concluding remarks

SHIFT members continue to increase the sustainability of their housing stock in the UK, creating

better homes for their residents and creating a better environment for us all to thrive in. There

are more SHIFT members and each of those members is making a significant contribution to

reducing environmental impacts in their homes and in their offices.

We have some reflections on this year’s assessment.

1. Building on the results of the 2012 SHIFT assessment, more SHIFT members are

focussing on actual environmental outcome targets. So now there are better defined

SMART3 targets to make environmental improvements. For example members are

stating objectives of the type “100% of homes will be SAP 65 by 2016” as opposed to

“we will make our homes as energy efficient as possible”. Clear objectives provide focus

for achieving objectives and are more likely to gain acceptance.

2. Although more SMART targets are being set, regular reporting on those targets still

needs improving. We have changed the SHIFT scoring to encourage this and we hope

to see improvement in future SHIFT assessments.

3. More SHIFT members’ staff are now empowered to make sustainability improvements to

their stock and offices. They are trained and have environmental objectives in their job

descriptions.

4. More members are taking a strategic approach to energy efficiency improvements. In the

past there has often been an ad hoc approach, where landlords have responded to

various government funding initiatives. Now, more members are stating an aim and

working to that and then seizing funding opportunities if they help with achieving those

aims.

5. Relaxation of government environmental funding is a barrier to achieving a more

sustainable housing stock. Ambitious retrofit programmes relying on Feed in Tariff (FITs)

and Energy Company Obligations (ECO) were cancelled after government intervention

meant less funding is available. (However it should be noted that as the price of PV

panels has reduced, solar power is looking attractive again to many members).

6. On a positive note Renewable Heat Incentive will help fund some appropriate retrofit

schemes.

3 Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound


7. In addition, government has announced winding down of the Code for Sustainable

Homes and has watered down the definition of Zero Carbon Homes standard. We

speculate that this has led to some members not building to high sustainability levels.

When handed over to asset management, these homes will affect the overall

sustainability of existing homes for years to come.

SHIFT is primarily for SHIFT members. The assessment questions and processes have been

refined over the years to make the outcome report as useful as possible to members. After each

public assessment we seek feedback from members on to make the process even better. This

year will be no exception and we look forward to hearing improvement suggestions.

Finally, it is worth re-iterating that SHIFT members are working hard to reduce environmental

impacts. The SHIFT assessment is an ideal opportunity to take stock and plan for further

improvements, such as pro-actively addressing fuel poverty. In addition, SHIFT membership

also entitles members to attend SHIFT events so that they can learn from other members who

have performed particularly well.

This is not an overnight process and improvements can take a long time to mature. However

with action now, we can all expect to live in a future where social housing stock is sustainable

and affordable and this will be due in large part by the actions and exemplar work carried out by

SHIFT members.


Appendix 1 – SHIFT corporate partners

SHIFT corporate partners are committed to making homes more sustainable. Please consider

them when looking for partners in your works.

Principal Partners

Inside Housing is the leading weekly magazine for housing professionals in the UK and the first choice for job seeking within the housing sector. Inside Housing’s quarterly magazine, Sustainable Housing focuses on sustainability for the sector.

The specials featured within the magazine can be anything from housing finance to development or leadership to education and training. With a total readership of 80,000 and a growing online community of more than 100,000 the magazine and website provide unrivalled access to housing professionals.

www.insidehousing.co.uk

With ever increasing energy costs and the pressing need for more eco-friendly solutions, LED Hut can provide high quality and cost effective LED lighting products that use 90% less energy than traditional forms of lighting. Not only will you save on your lighting bill s but will also see huge savings on your maintenance costs as you LEDs offer a hugely extended bulb life – up to 25 years.

From the outset, LED Hut has invested heavily to ensure we achieve the highest product quality together with the best possible customer service. There is a dedicated call centre with knowledgeable staff to help customers where needed, together with a UK distribution centre holding unrivalled levels of stock to ensure speedy and efficient delivery.

www.ledhut.co.uk


ROCKWOOL® is the world’s largest producer of stone wool insulation and the second largest insulation producer globally. The insulation is 97% recyclable and can be used to create new stone wool insulation rolls and panels.

ROCKWOOL® provides a four-in-one solution that is made of sustainable materials with unmatched durability, fire protection and excellent acoustic properties. ROCKWOOL® insulation produced and installed worldwide this year alone will, in its lifetime, save more than 200 million tonnes of CO2.

www.rockwool.co.uk

We are a UK software company offering a cloud based business platform, Refurbify, for the domestic refurbishment and energy efficiency upgrade market. Refurbify streamlines the complicated quotations process for home energy efficiency upgrades; uniquely enabling accurate quotations to be produced from a single visit.

www.vrmtechnology.co.uk

Wienerberger, the leading provider of wall, roof and landscaping solutions, is committed to innovation and thought leadership in sustainable construction. As a corporate partner of Sustainable Homes, Wienerberger is able to further communicate its work towards a genuine, cost effective and sustainable solution to the UK’s affordable housing shortage. The unique Wienerberger e4 brick house is a new, modern, sustainable house concept that has been designed to create an archetype for the future of UK housing. It has been designed according to four founding principles – economy, energy, environment and emotion. It is perfect for housing associations and local authorities looking to minimise revenue loss on empty larger houses by providing a fully designed, budgeted and sustainable two/three bedroom alternative. The result is that dysfunctional existing housing stock can be transformed into the practical, affordable and environmentally conscious housing that the country really needs.

www.wienerberger.com

Associate Partners

SHIFT Corporate Partners


Climate Energy is the UK's largest independent energy efficiency company.

This impartiality gives us unrivalled access to technologies and funding streams, enabling us to secure finance to support energy saving initiatives for homes, businesses and the public sector.

We span all aspects of energy efficiency, from consultancy and project management through to delivery at a local level via our national network of accredited assessors and installers.

www.climateenergy.org.uk

H+H UK have been manufacturing leaders in aerated concrete technology and its various masonry applications since the 1950’s.

They have demonstrated year on year reductions in carbon emissions and were 9th in the 2010 Sunday Times Best Green Companies Awards. They were one of the first manufacturers in the construction industry to achieve BSI accreditation for an Integrated Management System, which pulls together three individual management systems for environment (ISO 14001), quality (ISO 9001) and health and safety (OHSAS 18001).

www.hhcelcon.co.uk

SolarTech are one of the country's biggest solar panel installers with expertise in all forms of renewable energy. The company has experience of providing solar energy solutions to the public and commercial sector. SolarTech were the first organization to gain registered provider status under the Government approved Low Carbons Buildings Programme. SolarTech won the NHIC Best Renewable Energy Practice in 2009.

www.solartech.org.uk


These organisations are helping the drive toward a low carbon future. To be in touch with them

do contact us on 0208 93 0429 or [email protected]

Launched in 2012, The Sustainable Communities Partnership is a pioneering initiative for those in social housing tenanted properties to save money on their utility bills, by reducing water wastage principally through the patented CombiSmart. This simple device reftrofits to combination boilers and works by holding back the hot water to a lower flow of c.3 litres per minute while the water is heated to the right temperature, delivering hot water quicker without the waste.

With every purchase of CombiSmart, a number of water and energy saving devices are provided free of charge by participating Water Companies and underwritten by founder SaveWaterSaveMoney for installation at the same time. The success of the Sustainable Communities Partnership has led to the introduction of a second lead product, energy saving EndoTherm, a liquid surfactant that saves up to 15% on heating bills by accelerating the heating process in central heating systems.

www.sustainablecommunitiespartnership.org.uk

The Chopping Company is an innovative British Energy Efficiency company. It is all about Chopping. Chopping is the control approach for heating and cooling that uses Chops. A Chop is a thermostatically independent period of off-time in an hour of on-time of a heating or cooling system. Done right, Chopping makes absolutely no difference to comfort, but a big difference in saved energy and reduced costs. The first product from The Chopping Company is the Chop-Cloc.

www.thechoppingcompany.com

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