Esh Retrofit Solutions will deliver essential works to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes and enable providers to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) banding of C and above for their stock – a government requirement for all social housing by 2030.

Retrofitting measures can include window and door upgrades, installation of secondary glazing, internal or external wall insulation and loft, underfloor or cavity wall insulation.

Other works will include installation of decarbonisation measures such as air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and solar photovoltaic panels.

The new division will be overseen by Head of Retrofit Solutions, Lisa Stafford, who has 27 years of industry experience.

She said: “The development of our specialist retrofit division has been long in the making and has taken extensive work from everyone involved. We are delighted to mark this significant milestone for Esh with the official launch.

“We will build on our extensive experience of working with housing associations and local authorities to refurbish and upgrade homes for more than two-decades by working collaboratively with our clients to improve living conditions for tenants while meeting the Government’s energy efficiency and decarbonisation targets.”

Esh Retrofit Solutions will offer an all-inclusive approach to retrofit delivery, starting with initial assessment, to design and then installation, all of which will be supported by a full retrofit coordination service and a fully-accredited supply chain.

The division will be strengthened by the expertise of Esh’s established refurbishment team, which is headed up by Operations Director, Colin Ford.

Andy Radcliffe, Chief Executive of Esh Group, said “Unveiling Esh Retrofit Solutions is a key part of our business strategy, firstly to ensure we continue to meet the evolving needs of our clients and the wider industry, and secondly as we take steps within our business toward a more sustainable future.

“The Government has outlined several key drivers behind improving the energy performance of social rented homes – arguably the most pressing issue tenants face right now is the rising cost of energy bills and combatting the number of households in fuel poverty in the long term can only happen if their homes become more energy efficient.

“We are a privately-owned, local contractor with a strong financial position, this, combined with our extensive knowledge and experience gained through our delivery of social housing refurbishment projects, gives us solid foundations to develop our new division and importantly, support our clients and their tenants through the whole retrofit process.”