Energy Efficiency
One of our primary services here at M-Four is our Energy Efficiency Consultancy Service. Aligning with our goal of eradicating fuel poverty, we have worked hard to expand our range of services and deliver a variety of energy efficiency solutions to our clients.
To achieve this goal, we have established a highly skilled team of consultants with wide knowledge across multiple sectors. Everyone in our business is passionate about alleviating and eradicating fuel poverty while championing energy efficient homes.
For years, our team has helped social housing providers improve their housing stock by conducting energy performance surveys and Energy Efficiency Standards for Social Housing (EESSH) modelling on top of stock condition surveys and asset management consultancy services.
Leading the way in Energy Efficiency
In the previous two years, we have completed almost 15,000 Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessments for our clients across Scotland. An EPC is the key assessment tool for capturing energy information for properties. EPCs are used to model various Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) to achieve the most economically viable solution for EESSH compliance. All of our energy assessors are certified by Elmhurst Energy. They ensure that assessors have the skills and knowledge to deliver professional energy assessments, modelling and lodge EPCs.
Over recent years, we have identified that ECMs installed during the an EPC assessment can help achieve EESSH compliance. For example, we started installing LED lightbulbs into properties which previously had old-style lightbulbs.
This change led to a 25% increase in EESSH passes across our client’s stock and saved money through the removal of re-visit costs.
Cost-effective ECMs provide 1-3 Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) points, which can often be the difference between non-compliance and compliance.
Looking to the Future
M-Four has expanded its services to include retrofit assessments for domestic properties. This is part of the PAS 2035 process and a retrofit coordination service to enable project compliance with PAS 2035. We have already invested towards this goal. Two of our staff members have achieved or are on course to achieve their qualification as dedicated retrofit assessors.
One of our goals on the road to eradicating fuel poverty is to reduce energy bills. We also provide energy saving advice for free, to help tenants become more energy aware. We pride ourselves on being at the cutting edge of innovation and we endeavour to keep our clients abreast of sector developments in pursuit of EESSH2 compliance by 2032.
Our Track Record
We believe that our track record speaks for itself. Off the back of a number of successful projects delivered for our client, North Glasgow Homes, they appointed us to develop an investment-grade business case to seek funding for a large-scale heat network project. This involved Communal Air Source Heat Pumps in six high rise tower blocks. The client’s main driver, like ours, was addressing and eradicating fuel poverty in one of Scotland’s most deprived areas.
The case was developed and put forth on behalf of North Glasgow Homes. Our combined goal was to secure funding from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP).
This funding is outcome and results-driven, and is designed to ensure that investment leads directly to defined community impacts, such as the reduction of fuel poverty.
We delivered large-scale programme of work as Lead Partners in the case. The LCITP focuses on organisations that have demonstrated the capacity to manage strategic interventions and comply with the audit responsibilities for the funds.
Collaborating to Achieve Results
Once we mobilised, our consultants were required to demonstrate a number of key factors to the Scottish Government. This included; the project’s viability, lifecycle costing, energy modelling, carbon reporting, innovation and local government support.
We developed a highly detailed proposal that was independently checked for technical and financial due diligence on behalf of the Scottish Government. After rigorous checks by our independent consultant, a report was provided recommending that the project should go ahead.
In February 2020, the Scottish Government provided a grant offer of £4,570,547 to our client. This was one of the largest LCITP grant awards in Scotland. We believe that this successful funding application will make a difference in the lives of many people and further pushes Scotland towards its goal of reducing fuel poverty by 2040.