After securing a further funding award from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) following the success of the first phase, Procast Group is rolling out the second wave of a partnership project with Home Group.

The project will see it working in partnership with Home Group and Cumberland Council.

After retrofitting 96 properties since January 2023, a further 102 properties are due to be complete by March 2025.

The £12.5m SHDF-funded project will see Procast Group carry out full retrofit work to properties across Cumbria.

With the aim of lifting tenants out of fuel poverty, properties will be fully upgraded to the latest PAS2035 standard and fitted with an External Wall Insulation (EWI) system, new tripled-glazed windows, insulated external doors, roof renewals, air-source heat pumps, new loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and underfloor insulation, upgraded ventilation systems, battery storage, and photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.

Once completed, the project will have a hugely positive impact on living conditions for tenants as well as help to reduce their energy bills.

These old solid fuel properties are currently being powered by coal, oil or electric storage heaters, but new installations should improve energy efficiency, provide tenants with savings and lead to better-insulated homes, as well as being better for the planet.

The improvements have taken the properties from an EPC D rating to an EPC B rating and will save each property, on average, £920 per year.

The company, which currently employs more than 130 staff is a market leader in retrofitting work and innovative multi-trade contracting projects across Scotland and the North of England.

Derek Innes, owner and managing director of Procast Group, said: “As always with the work we do, it was a quality over quantity approach with the Home Group retrofit project, always looking at the whole home and fabric first to maximise the output of the collective measures installed.

“We are delighted with the end product as residents enjoy warmer and more energy efficient homes, thanks to the work of our brilliant team. We are anticipating the same outcome for wave two and can’t wait to continue our work in the Cumbria area over the next year.”

Jessica Scott, sustainability coordinator, formerly of Home Group, added: “Working with Procast Group on our first whole-house retrofit programme has been a credit to Home Group as we start to embark on our retrofit journey. They have continued to support Home Group’s project team in learning and best practice throughout the project.

“Procast go over and above to provide their valuable knowledge of quality whole house retrofit.”