Energy efficiency work needs resident engagement

A report from the London School of Economics and Political Science, High rise hope, has found retrofit energy efficiency schemes can reduce energy use by two thirds, but only if residents change their behaviour.

The report, which was commissioned by insulation supplier Rockwool, looked at a £16.3 million regeneration project improving the efficiency of three high-rise blocks on the Edward Woods Estate in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

The council-led project includes fitting the blocks with external insulation, and installing solar panels on the towers to power lifts and lighting in the communal areas.

The LSE report is based on interviews with 48 residents of the blocks, where work has been ongoing since 2009.

It found high levels of satisfaction with the homes, and tolerance of the disruption caused by the improvement works. However the energy efficiency element of the regeneration scheme had gone largely unnoticed.

The report states: ‘The delivery of the thermal insulation objectives of the project may be undermined by the fact that only a minority of residents are aware of these works.

‘Residents need consistent and reiterated information about why the work is being done, and their part in exploiting the opportunities that follow.’

The LSE is going to repeat its study next year once the works have been completed to gain a more complete picture of the results.

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