Social housing providers in Wales could lead the way in helping the country meet carbon reduction targets by refurbishing their stock of affordable homes.
Window manufacturer NorDan UK has just opened a new office in Cardiff. It says housing associations can help residents keep their homes warmer and reduce their heating bills, while also reducing the carbon output and wider environmental impact of their housing stock, by installing low-carbon window systems.
The company says social landlords should consider windows when they access the Welsh Government’s £270 million investment into upgrading social homes. The investment is part of the Wales Housing Quality Standards (WHQS) scheme, which aims to improve the living conditions of residents, and the Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP) in Wales, which focuses on retrofitting homes with energy-efficient technologies that reduce carbon and improve energy performance.
Lou Johnson, NorDan UK’s Regional Director for Wales and West of England, who is heading up the Cardiff office, said:
“Decarbonising social homes hinges on hitting energy performance targets. For housing associations in Wales, this means grasping the critical role of windows and doors, which are responsible for around 20% of a home’s total heat loss.
“Establishing a permanent base in Cardiff will enable us to provide even better support to our clients and partners in Wales. This is about NorDan UK’s deep-seated commitment to supporting sustainable housing practices in Wales, helping social landlords find the best and most cost-effective solutions for their residents.”
The company says demand for its products from affordable housing owners and developers in England and Scotland has soared in recent years as providers strive to meet the UK’s net zero targets.
Founded in Norway almost 100 years ago the company now has 12 factories across the UK and more than 2,200 employees, with project management offices in Exeter, Gloucester, Birmingham, Manchester, Livingston, Aberdeen and Inverness, and now Cardiff.