600 Homes Across The Wirral to Receive Energy Upgrades

Magenta Living Housing Association has appointed RPS Group to deliver an extensive retrofit programme worth up to £4.7 million across its homes on the Wirral, Merseyside.

Starting immediately, RPS Group will carry out a mix of home energy-efficiency and renewable energy upgrades across 600 of Magenta Living’s least energy-efficient homes – including fabric improvements, renewable energy, and low-carbon heating upgrades.

The programme will include the installation of 550 solar PV systems, over 400 loft insulation upgrades and 25 air source heat pumps, alongside fabric improvements including external and cavity wall insulation and ventilation improvements.

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The PAS 2035-compliant retrofit programme will focus on enhancing thermal comfort for residents, reducing household energy and heating costs, and lowering carbon emissions.

The £4.7 million programme combines £1 million from the government’s Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 with £1.4 million in matched funding from Magenta Living. The housing association is investing a further £2.3 million in self-funded retrofit measures.

As one of the North of England’s leading independent specialist domestic retrofit contractors, RPS Group was selected for its expertise in renewable technologies, domestic heating systems and its proven ability to deliver complex retrofit programmes at scale.

The appointment is the latest in a series of major social housing retrofit contracts secured by Greater Manchester-based RPS Group, including a 2,000-home solar PV programme with Vico Homes and a £6.2 million retrofit programme for Broadacres Housing Association.

Graham Rothwell, owner and founder of RPS Group, said: “We’re delighted to support Magenta Living as it improves its homes and creates more comfortable and cost-effective places for its residents to live.

Graham continues: “Solar PV forms a key part of this programme and can help cut household electricity costs. Our analysis has shown that an average 2.6-kilowatt PV system could meet up to 30–50 per cent of household electricity demand, helping customers cut energy bills for years to come.”

Leah Gilbert, Head of Sustainability & Decarbonisation at Magenta Living Housing Association, said: “At a time when many households continue to face pressure from high energy costs, investing in the energy performance of our homes has never been more important.

“This programme will help improve the energy efficiency of hundreds of Magenta Living properties, with measures such as solar panels helping residents generate their own electricity and reduce the cost of running their homes.

“Alongside supporting customers with rising energy bills, these improvements will create more comfortable and sustainable homes while reducing carbon emissions. It’s an important step in delivering our long-term sustainability ambitions, and we’re delighted to be working with RPS Group to make a lasting difference across our communities.”