A new initiative is plugging the gaps of Bristol’s warm homes which are letting the heat out. Bristol City Leap is stepping up efforts to improve insulation and energy efficiency, helping residents keep warm without breaking the bank.
The partnership between Bristol City Council, Ameresco, and Vattenfall Heat UK has been working to decarbonise the city and cut heating bills for two years. Now, as energy costs rise and another cold winter bites, it is focusing on giving Bristolians the tools to help themselves.
James Sterling, communications and social value manager at Bristol City Leap, said: “We’re at an important point in our journey. We have bold plans to decarbonise Bristol, but the UK has some of the worst-insulated homes in Europe. Heat is slowly ebbing out, and those in poorer-quality housing feel this the most.”
British homes lose heat faster than their European counterparts, meaning residents must find new ways to conserve energy. James said: “A typical British home loses more heat faster than one in Germany or France. People have enough on their plate, without having to worry every time they turn the dial on their thermostats. That’s why we’re here – to provide people with the information and support they need to conserve heat and cut their energy bills and to help people across the city future-proof their homes.”
According to Bristol City Leap, the first step towards energy-efficient homes is understanding the problem. Mark Apsey, senior vice president at Ameresco, explained: “Much of the improvements we need to see rely upon know-how. The first step for anyone who wants to make their home more heat efficient should be getting the right information. Luckily, there are some great resources available that cater especially to the people of Bristol.”
One such resource is the Bristol City Leap-supported Centre for Sustainable Energy’s (CSE) energy advice helpline, which offers free assistance to residents struggling with cold and damp, using heating systems effectively, and reducing energy bills.
“Easy wins are out there, we just need to get more people to realise,” James added. “We’ve had great responses about initiatives like the CSE helpline and our information stand at SPARKS department store in the old M&S building in Broadmead. People are generally really grateful to know more about how to stay warm throughout the winter and we’re more than happy to provide that vital support.”
Once people have the right information, the next step is upgrading their homes, starting with insulation. Many older houses in the UK, especially those built before 1945, were not designed to retain heat. James said: “Older homes relied on fireplaces, but this is the 21st century. Cold, drafty housing impacts health, especially when people lose money on heat that escapes due to structural problems, let alone the damp and mould that can come as a result of this, proven to further impact on mental health.”
Bristol City Leap has already helped 450 homes through its retrofitting programme, sealing structural weak spots to retain heat and lower energy costs. The initiative focuses on a fabric-first approach, ensuring homes are properly insulated before making other improvements.
Dale, a resident in the Brentry neighbourhood, recently had his home retrofitted as part of the Social Housing Retrofit Project. He said: “It’s well worth it. It looks good, the warmth feels better, and you can walk in and leave the heating on. The heat will stay rather than going out straight away, lasting two hours. The damp is better as well, with special vents put in the bathroom and the kitchen to help with condensation.”
James acknowledged that retrofitting work can be disruptive but insisted it is worth the effort. “People worry about retrofitting turning their homes into a building site, or simply making it look unsightly when the work is finished. As Dale’s story shows, however, these remedial works have an overwhelmingly positive impact on homes both inside and out.”
Bristol City Leap is urging more households to take advantage of its initiatives and improve their home energy efficiency. James said: “Retrofitting is one of the more activity-intensive parts of the changes we’re ushering in, but at the end of the day, it’s your home. At Bristol City Leap, we believe strongly in following through, so we encourage everyone to consider ways to reduce energy consumption. The recent cold snaps have been a real wake-up call for a lot of people and we want everyone in Bristol to know that Bristol City Leap and a range of other great services are here to help.”