Malcolm Pearson and his wife Michelle are over the moon with their new boiler, solar panels, smart meter and roof insulation to help reduce their energy bills.
Our Highbridge retrofit project was a great success as we continue to help older residents to feel reassured to put their heating on.
So far, the new renewable technologies have been working its magic on their energy bills, and the couple have been planning their days to make sure they're being as energy efficient as possible to help save the pounds.
Having retrofit works completed at his home, Malcolm Pearson said: “The solar panels do make a difference and as much as we re-think how we plan things throughout the day and when we are using power. At the moment, the results are going in the right direction which is good.”
“The sun comes out and things go on,” Malcolm smiles.
“We’ve got the pond and it's got a pump in there so now I think to myself ‘I’ll put that on during the day, I’m not going to run it at night’.
“With the washing, we occasionally use the tumble dryer, we don’t use it very often but when we do, we use it during the day for the same sort of reason.
“We’ve already noticed the difference already now and that’s just coming through spring and summer, so I’m expecting by wintertime that there will be a big difference.”
The couple’s home is one of over 50 homes that have been retrofitted in Highbridge, Kingsbury Episcopi and Taunton. With new retrofit projects in the works, we will continue to transform more homes across the region.
With the glowing success at Highbridge, all residents who received work on their home have shared that they’ve saved money on their energy bills and are happy with the work.
To explore whether homes would benefit from retrofit works through our Cby28 Programme, housing surveyors look at our homes and investigate its EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating.
If the home does not meet or exceed a C rating, the home will be put forward for retrofit works. Malcolm continues to highlight how impressed he was with the quality and service provided to undergo the works.
He said: “I’ve noticed it already in the lounge and areas like that because before, we were adjusting the old boiler system… but, since we’ve had the new insulation, we haven’t touched the thermostat in the lounge at all.
“It seems to keep a constant temperature that’s good but I’m hoping it will do the same throughout the winter.
“I’m quite convinced that the loft insulation they used was quite thick stuff and it has made a difference certainly.
“We’ve not really had any problems at all, certainly not with LiveWest anyway. They’ve always been quite attentive to problems we’ve had and they’ve kept in touch with us. It’s been good.”
Moving into their home back in December 2022 from 180 miles away, Malcolm reflects on how well we supported him and his wife with their move. He said: “Even from the very start when we took over the place, LiveWest were very good with us coming down here as the tenancy (paperwork) was done in three or four days.
“We lived 180 miles away and we were able to do all the paperwork online. We stayed here for few days and by the time we went back, we took the keys back with us which was amazing as I kept thinking I was going to have to drive back and forth. I was dreading the distance but they were really good.
“From the moment we actually moved in, they were very good. The tradesperson came around to check to see if anything needed to be done. From then on, any minor things we’ve brought up, they’ve been dealt with, so we’ve got no problem with LiveWest at all to be honest.
“Everyone that’s come has been polite and they always let us know they are coming and what it’s about. If they couldn’t come, they would let us know in good time which is always a good thing to know.”
For more information on how we are creating a greener future at LiveWest, visit our Sustainability page.