Support for Park Homes ‘Energy saving solutions for the most vulnerable’

The trouble with Park Homes Low levels of insulation Many are off the mains gas network Old and inefficient heating systems (LPG, electric room heaters, etc) Poor SAP ratings and low EPC bands Elderly, low income householders with little or no means to invest in energy saving home improvements Park homes are some of the least energy efficient housing stock in the UK.

A hotspot for fuel poverty A recent survey showed that there are around 160,000 people living in 84,000 Park Homes in England. Vs In 2015 YES Energy Solutions completed energy saving assessment on 32 park homes and found that 78% were defined as living in fuel poverty based on the criteria set under the Fuel Poverty Network Extension Scheme (FPNES). High fuel costs Low incomes Fuel poor residents =

So why haven't these people received more support?

The forgotten residents Historically grant aid support for Park Homes has been few and far between. Residents are typically on lower incomes and fall out of ‘able to pay’ schemes. Site owners can prevent access to sites. Installers avoid Park Homes due to unfavourable funding rates. Planning permission can sometimes be a barrier for home improvements. Low profit margins to be made on Park Home projects due to the size of the properties.

Opportunities for intervention The Technical Innovation Fund In 2015 a new funding pot, managed by the national fuel poverty charity – NEA, was released. The fund enables community-level trials of innovative solutions using measures that are not traditionally used within the scope of current fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes. £26.2 million has been invested in projects to bring affordable warmth to over 6000 fuel poor and vulnerable households in England, Wales and Scotland.

Proactive Partnership Since 2015 YES Energy Solutions has been working with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to help a group of Park Home owners save energy and money. Attwood Close Park Uneconomical gas connection project Home insulation grants withdrawn under GDHIF scheme Householders left frustrated by policy changes and lack of income to invest in home improvements Finally a way forward… We secured funding through the Technical Innovation Fund to launch an innovative renewable energy scheme designed to revamp home heating facilities.

Heat pumps for Park Homes Air to air heat pumps An innovative unit that works like a refrigerator in reverse. It transforms air from outside the property into heat. Ideal for properties off the mains gas network Perfect for Park Homes as heats areas up to 100m2 Economic to run – up to 5 times more heat produced for every unit of electricity it uses Can be used as an air conditioning unit in the summer

Resident engagement We secured funding for up to 30 heat pumps at Attwood Close Park. Duel branded marketing communications with the Council for added validity. Community event to showcase the Heat Pumps in action Added value – energy advice from NEA Surveys scheduled and planning application submitted First installations coordinated in April 2016

Monitoring Success As part of the funding criteria, a sample of Park Homes will be monitored for the next 12 months. NEA has installed remote data loggers to monitor energy usage and average temperatures. Fuel bills will also be compared throughout the year to show the savings that are being achieved. We hope that the project will be used as a blue print to influence future policy and establish other Park Home schemes that promote energy efficiency and low carbon technology.

Customer feedback So far feedback from residents has been very positive. People have been complimentary of the project, process and the technology. ‘Its fantastic – it has changed my life’ ‘The installers were very efficient and everything was in place in a matter of days’ ‘I’ve set it on a lower setting and it’s heating the house nicely’

Our role YES Energy Solutions is responsible for the customer journey. We secured the funding, coordinated the marketing activities and are now managing an industry approved contractor to carry out the installations. We’re working with NEA and the Council to gather feedback from residents, install monitoring equipment and source new customers. 9 installations have been carried out and the second batch are currently being booked in for installation with a total of 26 customers identified so far.

So what have we achieved? The Heat Pumps for Park Homes scheme has wide benefits: Helped local residents embrace low carbon technology Saved energy, reduced CO 2 and given residents the means to reduce their fuel bills Educated householders of ‘the need to be green’ Made vulnerable people feel valued Provided a case study to influence other Park Home projects Helped combat fuel poverty in the area

Award Winners Our Heat Pumps for Park Homes scheme won ‘Collaboration of the Year’ at the Worchester Bosch Environment 2020 Awards. Industry chiefs congratulated us on our partnership approach to reducing fuel poverty and promoting renewable energy alternatives.

Say ‘YES’ to lower energy bills YES Energy Solutions is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that specialises in working with Local Authorities. We have managed some of the largest Council backed energy efficiency programmes including: the South Kesteven Insulation Scheme, the West Yorkshire Green Deal Demonstrators, Insulate Hampshire, Wrap Up Leeds and the award winning Kirklees Warm Zone project. With no shareholders to satisfy, all of our profits are invested into community schemes that support our social mission - to reduce CO 2 and alleviate fuel poverty in the UK.

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