Elderly residents in Cardiff are helping the Welsh Government with a Green Deal pilot scheme for new heating as a result of the work of Warm Wales Cymru Gynnes
THE RESIDENTS of Splott Baptist Court, many of whom are over 70, had old, inefficient heating systems which were expensive and ineffective to run, so they were delighted to be chosen to participate in the scheme.
The heating systems were difficult to maintain and repair. Residents complained the storage heaters couldn’t be regulated – they’d have to open windows in the morning but then the flats would be cold by the afternoon and they’d need electric fan heaters as a backup. Hot water was also an issue as there would only be a limited supply.
Warm Wales Cymru Gynnes has worked with Aelwyd Housing Association for a number of years and was able to identify the problem faced by residents in heating their homes, and used its knowledge and experience in this area to identify funding which would enable the necessary work to be undertaken.
The flats had already been connected to mains gas following a grant of around £45,000 secured by Warm Wales Cymru Gynnes from Wales & West Utilities. However, there were limited resources available to install energy efficient boilers into the properties, which meant this could be done over a period of time.
As a small organisation, Aelwyd Housing Association, which owns Baptist Court, normally has to phase such major works over several financial years, so working with Warm Wales Cymru Gynnes, Wales & West Utilities and the Welsh Government, it was able to secure funding totalling £200,000 to enable the works to go ahead.
With all the publicity and news on the Green Deal, the Welsh Government wanted a pilot scheme to see how the programme would work in practice. It needed a live project to test the rule, but the financing for the scheme, which would normally be added to residents’ meters under the Green Deal scheme, was provided by the Welsh Government, the housing associations and energy companies. As a result of this, all 24 flats at Splott Baptist Court were able to receive new heating systems and in return the Welsh Government would receive validated data to support the scheme.
Helen Perkins, assistant projects director at Warm Wales Cymru Gynnes explained: ‘As we’ve been working in partnership with Aelwyd HA for a number of years, we know the difficulties they face. We’ve been able to address the problems faced and secure a sizable amount of funding to assist their residents.’
Mrs Sylvia Browning is 97 and has lived in her flat for 29 years since it first opened. Her daughter Lesley visits every day and said: ‘The flat would be cold in the evenings, and I was always concerned when she used the electric heater as it was an obstacle in the room. The new heating is much better for her and I know the warmer communal areas make it easier for her to spend time with the other residents.’
Assisting the project, which will be monitored for 12 months, is the Welsh School of Architecture, which will be analysing energy consumption and the data gathered by the energy wardens. The BRE Green Deal pre-assessment tool will also be piloted on the scheme. Local companies were used to undertake the work, which also engaged young apprentices.
Not only is the accommodation warmer for residents, it is also encouraging involvement with the local community. Warden Amanda Barry and residents have been holding discussions with Communities First and Community Development Cymru to develop programmes enabling members of the community to use the facilities at Splott Baptist Court. Plans are also in place with a local doctors’ surgery to hold community flu programmes at the home.
Minister for natural resources and food, Alun Davies said: ‘Our Arbed energy efficiency scheme is all about helping to ensure that homes in some of the less wealthy parts of Wales are cheap and easy to heat. I am so pleased that our investment in Aelwyd Baptist Court is helping to ensure that residents of Aelwyd – the majority of whom are over 70 – are benefitting from warmer homes and more affordable fuel bills and that the scheme is making a real difference on the ground.’
For more information visit warmwales.org.uk or follow @warmwales on Twitter