Glasgow-based energy services firm Union Technical has commenced work to retrofit more than 300 homes in Dumfries.
Work has begun this week on a £1.5m upgrade of the four-in-a-block sandstone flats at the town’s Sandside Estate, which were constructed in the 1930s.
Over the next four months, Union Technical will work to install internal wall insulation, ventilation systems and heating controls to improve thermal efficiency and help tenants make substantial savings on their energy bills.
The properties are managed by social housing provider The Riverside Group, one of the UK’s oldest and largest housing associations with 56,000 properties across 160 local authorities.
Union Technical is an accredited installer of energy efficiency services throughout the UK and was successful in securing significant grant funding towards the cost of this project.
With more than 30 years’ experience in the energy sector, this retrofit marks the company's first significant project in Dumfries & Galloway.
The first phase of energy efficiency upgrades at Sandhill Estate is due to be completed in September, with a second phase to replace windows throughout the properties scheduled for later this year.
Owen Coyle, director at Union Technical, said: “The Riverside Group is a progressive housing association which sees value in the services we provide and ultimately, how our work benefits residents. Sandside Estate is a major development for us, and the work carried out is a significant step in helping to tackle fuel poverty in the area.
“We’re a family owned and run business, and over the past 10 years we have developed a reputation for building long-term, successful relationships with our customers.
“All of our installs are completed by our own in-house teams, to ensure that the standard of work we carry out is the same high standard as we would expect in our own homes.”
The retrofit follows an open day held at Summerhill Community Centre on 25 April, which was attended by more than 80 residents.
Union Technical was founded by directors Owen Coyle and Michael Sweeney in 2013, who recognised a gap in the market for an all-encompassing service for energy efficiency renovations.
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