19 October 2009

The winners of the Energy Efficiency Design Awards 2009 have been announced and it's good news for the social housing sector - four of the winning bids were led by a local authority or housing association!

The Energy Efficiency Design Awards is a £1 million fund to bring together designers, construction and manufacturing, housing associations, councils or community groups to create the best energy efficiency solutions for Scotland. The aim is to drive innovation, research and development of new low carbon products and services for the retrofit market, as well as developing skills and capabilities of business and supporting local supply chains.

The winning projects are:

West Bridge Mill - Kirkcaldy - Link Group Housing Association

This project is in a B listed former rope mill in Kirkcaldy which has been converted in 16 separate flats housing vulnerable young people. The mill has large windows, vaulted ceilings and solid walls. Link Group Housing Association will install more insulation in the voids above the flats and install a combined heat and power system connected to wet radiators, cutting emissions by 65 per cent and reducing fuel costs. Link Group Housing Association have been awarded £103,423.

Moray Street Insulation Project - Macduff - Aberdeenshire Council

The Moray Street Insulation Project in Macduff consists of 20 solid granite flats. Aberdeenshire Council will re-point the buildings, install internal wall insulation, insulate the floors and upgrade the heating systems with energy efficient boilers, resulting in a 40 per cent reduction in emissions. Aberdeenshire Council have been awarded £168,580.

John Wood House - Upper Largo - Kingdom Housing Association

John Wood House in Upper Largo is a B listed former hospital which has been converted into eight flats for social rent. Kingdom Housing Association will install a gas fired district combined heat and power system which will provide warmth and electricity to residents, preserve the character of the building reduce emissions by 70 per cent and cut fuel bills by up to 50 per cent. Kingdom Housing Association have been awarded £99,850.

Hard to treat heating & insulation - Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association

This project covers 14 semi-detached timber framed bungalows on the Isles of Skye and Raasay which are located in extremely exposed, off gas areas. Many of the tenants are in fuel poverty. Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association will install insulated membranes, internal insulating plasterboard, upgrade loft insulation and double glazing and draught proofing. They also plan to install new air source heat pumps and distribution systems and expect this to cut emissions by around 50 per cent and eradicate fuel poverty in these properties. Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association will receive £163,315.

Westray Development Trust - Westray

This project covers nine properties which represent the varied nature of the housing stock on the Island. The residents are all owner occupiers in fuel poverty. Westray Development Trust will insulate the lofts and hot water cylinders in all of the properties as well as draught proof and install ground source heat pumps. They also plan to treat the external walls of the properties with new insulating paint technology. The project will cut emissions by around 70 per cent and expect residents to be lifted out of fuel poverty. Westray Development Trust have been awarded £140,241.

To find out more about the winning projects and to find out how you can apply for the next round of funding visit the EST webpages on the Energy Efficiency Design Awards.

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