Victorian terrace gets makeover

A Victorian property in Stoke-on-Trent has been given an innovative retrofit by housing and care provider, Sanctuary Group.


The eco-refurbishment was funded by the government’s £17 million Retrofit for the Future programme.

Sanctuary secured funding of £150,000 to retrofit the two-bed Victorian terrace with energy saving features.

The features include triple glazing, roof solar panels, an air-tightness strategy where existing vents and chimneys have been blocked, floors and ceilings insulated, and walls coated with modified plaster.

Internal insulation upgrades have been used with materials to help control moisture levels within the existing structure of the building.

An innovative heating system has also been installed that will learn residents’ living patterns.

It is hoped the measures will reduce energy usage by around 78% in heating demand, 84% in energy demand and 88% in CO2 emissions.

Sanctuary will now work with the Energy Saving Trust and the residents moving into the home to collect data from the property over a two-year period, including internal and external temperature, humidity and CO2 levels.

The data will be used to form a database, along with other such projects, for researchers, social landlords and energy companies for future retrofit projects.

Sanctuary Group Property Services director, Ian McDermott, said: “The homes we live in make a significant contribution to the UK’s carbon emissions so we are delighted to be taking part in this exciting national programme.

“We have implemented a range of home energy efficiency solutions that will demonstrate we can make a positive contribution to climate change, reduce money on fuel bills for tenants and increase peoples comfort in their own home.”

Alison Brown

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