9. Arun District Council Housing Stock

The Council strives to be an exemplar in terms of energy efficient housing. Through new construction and retrofitting existing housing the Council’s own housing stock will inspire private residents to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.

New developments and retrofit of existing stock have incorporated innovative renewable technologies such as air source heat pumps.

The council submitted a successful funding bid in 2018 to support off-gas properties. It is planned that over 200 council properties will be connected to gas and have new energy efficient boilers installed over the next year. Following this renewables will be investigated further.

EPC (energy performance certificate) data is being reviewed and where possible any properties only achieving E, F or G ratings are being improved to ensure they achieve higher ratings and are therefore more energy efficient.

The council has a cyclical improvement programme for the replacement of any remaining timber single glazed units with double glazed systems. Consideration is given to properties with listed status or in conservation areas for double glazed timber units.

Over the next 12 months the Council plan to survey the entire housing stock and to install cavity wall and loft insulation where possible.

The council support renewables and are keen to install air source heat pumps and other innovative technologies to off-gas areas.

Council tenants are supported in council properties in terms of energy efficiency concerns, where requested new EPCs are carried out and support is provided through improvements and advice. The Arun District Council Home Energy Visitor Service offer telephone support to Arun council tenants regarding energy bills, switching energy provider and energy saving tips.

The Council have over 3000 council houses and are keen to enhance their energy efficiency and therefore their EPC ratings. We aim to raise, where practicable, all our own housing stock in line with the MEES target of all rental properties achieving EPC C or above by 2030.