Labours Warm Homes Plan

Warm Homes Fund Wave 3: Data is Crucial

By Luke Beard · 15 January 2025

As we prepare for the implementation of Wave 3 of the Warm Homes Fund, the role of data cannot be overstated. ARK Assistant Director Luke Beard provides an insight into the questions teams must ask themselves and the reasons why intelligent use of data is crucial.

The quality of data and your approach to data collection and management will be fundamental to delivering retrofit projects at scale. Turning a strategic bid into a delivery plan comes with inherent risks. If you are responsible for delivering against your Warm Homes bid, here are some crucial questions to ask yourself:

1. Can I trust the data that informed the bid?

2. Do I understand the data and how it applies to the funding criteria?

3. What is the data strategy aligned with the delivery of the bid?

4. Do I understand my tenants so that I can engage meaningfully?

Accurate and comprehensive data collection and management are crucial for several reasons:

1. Identifying Priorities

  • Energy Performance Assessment: Detailed data on the current energy performance of housing stock helps identify which properties need the most urgent upgrades. This ensures that resources are allocated effectively to achieve the greatest impact. Are you relying on EPC data? Is this sufficient?

2. Planning and Implementation

  • Action Plans: Data-driven insights enable the creation of precise action plans tailored to the specific needs of each property. This includes selecting the most appropriate retrofit measures, such as insulation, heating systems, and renewable energy installations. How do you ensure ‘appropriate measures’, what is appropriate, and appropriate to who?
  • Resource Allocation: Accurate data helps in budgeting and resource allocation, ensuring that resources are used efficiently.

3. Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Progress Tracking: Ongoing data collection allows for real-time monitoring of retrofit progress. This helps in identifying any issues early and making necessary adjustments to stay on track.
  • Impact Assessment: Post-implementation data is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of the retrofits in terms of energy savings, carbon reduction, and tenant satisfaction.

4. Compliance and Reporting

  • Regulatory Compliance: Comprehensive data ensures that all retrofit activities comply with relevant regulations and standards. This is crucial for meeting the requirements of the Warm Homes Fund and other funding bodies.
  • Stakeholder Reporting: Detailed data supports transparent reporting to stakeholders, including tenants, funding bodies, and government agencies. This builds trust and demonstrates accountability.

5. Continuous Improvement

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

  • Feedback Loop: Data provides a feedback loop that informs continuous improvement in retrofit strategies and practices. This helps in refining approaches and achieving better outcomes over time.

By using data intelligently and effectively, social housing providers can ensure that their decarbonisation efforts are targeted, efficient, and impactful. This not only helps in meeting the goals of the Warm Homes Fund but also contributes to broader environmental and social objectives.

ARK have experience of delivering projects for clients under various energy efficiency funding programmes. We have provided expert technical guidance and would be more than happy to discuss any support that you may need to support your bid delivery. We provide the following services:

  • PAS 2035 Roles (Retrofit Assessment, Retrofit Coordinator)
  • Investment Planning Incorporating Net Zero Cost
  • Resident Engagement Strategies
  • Asset Management Strategies & Net Zero Strategies
  • Client Administration Support (Procurement, Specifications, Contract Administration & Quality Control)
  • Bid Writing
  • Stock condition surveys & EPC
  • ASAP (ARK’s Strategic Asset Performance Model)
  • Benchmarking

Contact us today to discuss how ARK can help you move forward with your Net Zero goals.

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