Comprehensive SHDF Wave 1 Retrofit for Enhanced Energy Efficiency – South Derbyshire District Council

South Derbyshire District Council, located in the centre of England, covers an area of 112 square miles, adjoining the City of Derby to the north, Burton on Trent to the west, and Ashby-de-la-Zouch to the east. The Council manages approximately 2,945 properties, and their vision is to “Work together to shape our environment, drive our economy, and support our communities”.

Novus has partnered with South Derbyshire District Council for several years, delivering a broad range of void refurbishment works. In 2021, to expand on our partnership, we started to engage with the Council to work in partnership to deliver an end-to-end SHDF Wave 1 retrofit project, supporting them through the SHDF funding application, followed by full retrofit coordination, assessments, design, and installation.

The project was to 110 occupied properties, with 95% consisting of one and two-bedroom bungalows, and 5% being three-bedroom semi-detached and end-terraced houses.

We appointed Energy Specific Limited, who provided PAS 2035 compliant Retrofit Coordinator and Assessor roles, and Constructive Thinking Limited who provided the PAS 2035 Complaint Retrofit Designer role. We undertook detailed assessments and designs to clearly identify the requirements upfront, using digital energy modelling and thermal imaging to identify specific work requirements. The team created retrofit packs for each property, detailing intended outcomes, risk assessments, recommended measures, a medium-term improvement plan, and property improvement record. Our design partners completed a BIM model and digital twin of each property and a complete specification. This 3D CAD energy model ensured the EPC rating for each property was accurate. The benefit of this was a lower starting EPC rating, meaning that most properties were eligible for more funding. Constructive Thinking also provided design packs for each individual property detailing the required measures, sequencing, materials, and all elements for installation.

We also undertook all Pre-Installation Building Inspections (PIBIs) as required under PAS 2035 and 2030 requirements, per measure and per property, which included structural assessments. This ensured that all building repairs were completed prior to installation of energy efficiency measures. This additional enabling was therefore fed into our programme upfront, with set delivery timescales and cost allowances.

The PAS 2030 compliant installation works included:

External enabling work where there was failed pointing to brickwork or failed damp proof courses. We undertook an injection process to form new damp-proof courses, and to prevent impact on the resin beads being inserted, created a new barrier between the low barrier brickwork and the beads,

Extraction of old cavity wall insulation, ensuring we minimised disruption to residents associated by reducing noise and reducing/containing any dust that was created throughout the process

Loft insulation top-ups, renewal of loft-hatches, and associated roof ventilation (at eaves level or insertion of vented tiles, or a combination of both). We worked with SDDC to communicate to residents that loft clearance was required in a timely manner, and identify support mechanisms,

Window and door replacements, after completion of a void property to confirm required quality standards. We undertook adequate preparation and worked at pace

Associated ventilation and general draught proofing, with the solution dependent on the specific property and design

Alongside South Derbyshire District Council and our retrofit partners, we devised a bespoke contract resident engagement plan. 97% of residents who had work completed on their property said they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the service they had received from Novus. One resident said: “Everyone was prompt and friendly. The lads kept my property tidy”, whilst another said, “Thank you for all your help in keeping me comfortable and my home tidy”. We received excellent verbal feedback on the impact of the works, with one resident stating they had saved £39 on their first gas bill since the installation of the works.