Over the last three years the Association has expended over £4 million and insulated 707 homes working with Scottish Government HEEPS ABS and HEEPS Loan Scheme funding in conjunction with the City of Edinburgh Council and Changeworks.

On this third phase Manor Estates undertook energy efficiency improvement works, working through the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) framework with SERS Energy Solutions (Scotland) Ltd, to erect insulation to 189 mixed tenure “no fines” concrete properties, at Muirhouse Place East and West, Sighthill, Ratho and South Queensferry.

As well as significantly improving the energy efficiency of the properties, the external wall insulation has given the properties an exterior facelift, benefitting 124 tenants and 65 owner occupiers

Amanda Hay, Manor Estates’ technical services manager (strategy), welcomed the funding stating: “It would have been impossible to install this scale of energy efficiency measures to mixed tenure properties without it. The insulation panels will give increased comfort levels to the properties, reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption, and help alleviate the householder’s susceptibility to fuel poverty, bringing the majority of these properties up to EESSH standards well ahead of the December 2020 deadline.”

Marion Gracie, SERS Scotland director, thanked the residents for their co-operation during the installations.

She said: “Our primary concern is the safe delivery of the contract – we rely on co-operation of all our delivery partners, especially the residents – we welcome their positive feedback - with a recognised improvement in area amenity and warmer homes.”

Paul Thom, Changeworks’ programme manager, added: “Changeworks was delighted to work with the City of Edinburgh Council and Manor Estates to deliver this project for the residents of Muirhouse. It shows the importance of collaborative working to deliver a high quality project, on time and on budget, to achieve such an important outcome of helping people to stay warmer in their homes.

“We’re now working with our partners in Home Energy Scotland to provide householders with valuable energy advice, so they can feel the full benefit of their new external wall insulation.”

Working alongside Changeworks, Manor Estates will continue to pursue funding opportunities for its remaining uninsulated No Fines housing stock at South Queensferry.