Sustainability team at Focus Consultants helps historic almshouses to become more energy efficient

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 17 September 2019

Focus Consultants has been appointed to help improve the energy efficiency of scores of historic almshouses in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

The company is undertaking an evaluation of the almshouse estates run by The Richmond Charities to determine how the charity could make energy efficiency improvements to the houses.

Nottingham-based Focus’s role includes undertaking measured surveys of a sample of properties across eight of the charity’s almshouses estates, modelling these properties in industry-recognised energy assessment software, and carrying out a feasibility study on potential improvements to the properties.

The charity owns and manages 130 almshouses spread over nine estates in Richmond and Twickenham. The largest estate has 50 almshouses and the smallest estate just four. 

Focus Associate Jessica Bullers said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Focus to not only carry out energy efficiency assessments of historic buildings with the aim of reducing their carbon impact, but to help The Richmond Charities find ways to improve the experience of the residents of their properties.”

The Richmond Charities provides housing and support to elderly people in housing need in the borough of Richmond. The first of Richmond's almshouses were Queen Elizabeth's Almshouses, founded in 1600.

“The historic and social importance of the almshouses is recognised across the estates, with many of the properties having Listed Building status, and most estates being located in Conservation Areas. This has left the charity with the unique challenge of continuing the legacy of the almshouses’ purpose while providing affordable and comfortable homes,” added Jessica.

Focus, which also has offices in London, Leicester and Newark, is providing expert advice on how improvements could be made to each of the estates assessed, including a review of any possible renewable technologies that could be installed, such as solar photovoltaic panels and new heat battery technology, and also upgrades that could be made to the fabric of the buildings.

The company provides a range of energy and sustainability services including expert advice on sustainable building methods, building physics, energy compliance and testing.

For more information, visit www.focus-consultants.com

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