Published March 11th, 2019
Cornish Units will be first to receive energy efficiency improvements
Ocean Housing is to upgrade 124 properties over three years, following a multi-million pound investment to enhance energy efficiency in its social housing portfolio.
Improvements will include the renewal of roofs and the addition of external insulation in a number of Cornish Units, typically difficult to heat due to their single-skin construction.
Erected as part of a strategy for housing regeneration after World War Two, Cornish Units were built as a temporary solution to the post-war housing crisis.
The buildings are instantly recognisable for their mansard roof, where the second story comprises a timber and tile construction. This can pose some challenges when it comes to improving insulation, because insulating from the inside causes considerable disruption to the homeowner or tenant.
Following a successful pilot scheme, £3.7 million is to be invested by Ocean Housing in improvements in properties deemed “hard to heat”, supplemented by an energy provider, which will improve the properties’ energy efficiency.
Hard to heat properties are specified as having uninsulated ground and first floor walls. They may also have electric night storage heaters or oil heating.
Frances Turner, managing director of Ocean Housing commented: “We will initially be focusing on those living in qualifying Cornish Units. Others who qualify will be contacted in phase two of the improvement works. Ocean Housing will work closely with tenants, meeting in the comfort of their home to explain the whole process from start to finish, and will undertake a survey of the property in its current condition.”
Work has already been carried out on a Cornish Unit in Foxhole for the Townsend family, one of two families selected as a pilot project. The roof and mansards were insulated and renewed, external wall insulation was installed to the ground floor elevations and the heating system was upgraded from night storage to an air source system.
Steven Townsend said: “We noticed immediately the difference the insulation made to the temperature of the property inside.”
Steven’s wife Rachel Townsend added: “We are absolutely delighted with the works, it’s like a new home.”
Further information and guidance can be found via Ocean Housing’s website, www.oceanhousing.com.
