RESIDENTS living in late-Victorian terraced homes in Walton and Kirkdale, Liverpool, are sharing the real-life impact of a major retrofit programme. Customers have already reported a range of positive outcomes, from considerably warmer rooms and lower heating use through to draughts that have completely disappeared.

The feedback comes as Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd continues improvement works across 343 properties managed by housing association Onward Homes, by , supported by funding through Wave 3 of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund. The £9.5 million programme, procured via the Fusion21 Decarbonisation Framework, focuses on some of Onward’s oldest homes – energy-inefficient late-Victorian terraces in Liverpool that were built between 100 and 150 years ago.

Samuel, who has lived in his property for 16 years, described the immediate difference: “We can feel the heat in the house now. We had cold draughts throughout the property before, but since we’ve had the thermal insulation installed, we don’t feel these as much – and the curtains certainly don’t move any more. When we put the heating on now, as soon as the house is warmed up, the boiler won’t come on for two or three hours.”

All 343 homes are currently being elevated to an EPC C rating or better, through works including cavity, external and internal wall insulation, replacement windows and doors and roof alterations. Given the age and architectural character of the homes, the team is taking a tailored approach to the front elevations – applying insulation selectively to window reveals to preserve the original brick facades while still improving thermal performance.

The scheme has also generated wider benefits for the local community. SBS recruited labourers through Everton in the Community, a local employment hub, with further roles expected to be filled as the programme progresses. The team has also made improvements to the garden spaces at the Our House Walton Community Hub.

Ross Bagnall, retrofit assistant project manager at Onward Homes, said: “As well as making our customers’ homes more affordable to run, we know that our investment can have broader benefits. Our partnership with Liverpool City Council and SBS is ensuring that a positive legacy is left that extends beyond our customers’ homes – with improvements for local waste management services and opportunities for owner-occupiers to be involved in a whole neighbourhood approach to retrofit – so it’s not only our tenants that will benefit. “

The ongoing programme is expected to be completed in March 2028. For more information about the work SBS is doing in communities, please visit https://www.sustainablebuildinguk.com/