“It’s the best thing since sliced bread. If you’ve got a chance to have it done, do it” – Edward’s Story
Edward has lived on Mulberry Close for just over 18 months. Like many others in the area, his home wasn’t connected to the gas grid and relied on old night storage heaters for warmth.
“They were absolutely awful,” he said. “I was going to upgrade to ordinary electric heaters, but fortunately, I heard about this scheme from a neighbour and decided yours were better.”
That scheme was Home Upgrade Scheme 2 (HUG2), delivered by Groundwork and Rochdale Borough Council, aiming to support households like Edward’s with energy saving improvements and low carbon technologies.
From Assessment to Installation
After getting in touch, Edward’s home was assessed for insulation, lighting and draught-proofing. His insulation was already in place, and most of his light bulbs were energy-efficient, though he was given a few extra to replace older ones. A draught check was also carried out to ensure the home was sealed as efficiently as possible.
“First, the plumbers came and installed the heat pump,” he recalled. “A few weeks later, they were back to fit the solar panels, which are now just above my head.”
The full process took around two to three months from start to finish.
Results That Matter
Since the upgrades were completed, Edward has seen his energy bills drop by over 20%. The new system not only saves money but has made the home noticeably more comfortable, especially during the winter months.
“In this weather, you don’t notice it as much, but when it’s cold you really need proper heating. The storage heaters just weren’t up to it.”
Reliable Support Throughout
Edward praised Groundwork for their communication and support.
“I’ve had no problems at all. Every time I rang up with a little query, they were straight on it. No issues whatsoever.”
Now, Edward is a firm advocate of the energy saving scheme.
“It’s the best thing since sliced bread. If you’ve got a chance to have it done, do it. You can’t go wrong.”