New energy targets for zero-carbon council homes

Croydon has some of the most energy-efficient housing in the whole of London but the borough has now set out its aspirations to achieve zero-carbon council homes.

A new environmental and sustainability strategy addresses how the council will work towards that target over the coming years.

Tenants are already saving money on their heating bills and helping to reduce environmental damage through a number of energy efficiency improvements that the council has made to their homes in recent years.

Croydon's drive to cut the energy wastage of its housing stock started with its first energy strategy in 1995.

As a result, all suitable homes now have cavity wall insulation and at least 100mm of loft insulation, 98% have a modern form of space heating, and 87% have double glazing.

These investments have boosted the council housing stock's energy ratings and seen carbon dioxide emissions cut by 30%, a saving of more than 14,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum. Tenants have also benefited from a 40% reduction in heating costs, saving them over £5 a week.

The new strategy for 2008-2012 builds on past achievements and outlines the ways in which the council will help to improve the environment through continued investment in its housing stock. This includes:

• improving the energy ratings of council homes, starting with the least efficient, through a programme of loft insulation, double glazing and high-efficiency boilers
• using new sustainable energy technologies, such as including solar water heating systems and sustainable materials in major refurbishment work and new-build schemes
• installing water saving devices in refurbished homes and creating mini recycling centres on estates across the borough for paper, card and glass
• working with residents, members, officers and contractors to help the council achieve its environmental aims
• making sure all new-build stock meets eco-homes excellence standards.

A programme of building new council homes is under way and the first phase of 32 eco-friendly homes will be built to high-quality sustainable standards, with wind turbines and solar panels, and will set an example of the green building practices the council wants to encourage on a wider scale.

Cllr Dudley Mead, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, said: "We all know that the issue of creating a more sustainable environment is a local as well as a world-wide issue and we, as a council, must ensure we play our part by setting an example in our own practices and taking energy efficiency into account in the decisions we make.

"We've worked hard over the past few years to ensure our tenants benefit from cheaper bills and our houses have as little adverse impact on the environment as possible. Our aspirations for the future are clear and this new strategy addresses how we will work towards developing a carbon-neutral Croydon by continuing to invest in council housing stock and enlisting the help of residents and our partners to help us achieve more environmentally sustainable communities."

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