Work has begun this week on a £1.5 million upgrade of the four-in-a-block sandstone flats at the town’s Sandside Estate, which were constructed in the 1930s.

Over the next four months, Union Technical will work to install internal wall insulation, ventilation systems and heating controls to improve thermal efficiency and help tenants make substantial savings on their energy bills.

The properties are managed by social housing provider Riverside Scotland.

Union Technical is an accredited installer of energy efficiency services throughout the UK. It was successful in securing significant grant funding towards the cost of this project.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the energy sector, Union Technical has helped thousands of customers throughout Scotland, England and Wales to make significant savings on their energy bills.

The retrofit marks Union Technical’s first significant project in Dumfries & Galloway and follows a period of substantial growth for the firm.

The first phase of energy efficiency upgrades at Sandhill Estate is due to be completed in September, with a second phase to replace windows throughout the properties scheduled for later this year.

Owen Coyle, director at Union Technical, said: “The Riverside Group is a progressive housing association which sees value in the services we provide and ultimately, how our work benefits residents. Sandside Estate is a major development for us, and the work carried out is a significant step in helping to tackle fuel poverty in the area.

“At Union Technical we’re committed to social responsibility, and we understand how important it is to keep an open dialogue with residents in the areas in which we work.

“We’re a family-owned and run business, and over the past 10 years, we have developed a reputation for building long-term, successful relationships with our customers. All of our installs are completed by our own in-house teams, to ensure that the standard of work we carry out is the same high standard as we would expect in our own homes.”

The retrofit follows a successful open day held at Summerhill Community Centre on Tuesday 25th April, which was attended by more than 80 residents and provided an opportunity for Union Technical to discuss the project in more detail.