Raven Housing Trust
MyRaven

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Sustainability

In 2021 we committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This target was driven by government legislation, but also by our desire to build and retrofit homes to modern standards. We own or manage over 7,000 homes, many of which were built in the 1960’s and 70’s. To bring them up to the required standard is going to take time and money. We have a sustainability strategy which outlines how we are going to do this and achieve our net zero target.

  • We’ve undertaken 78 retrofits of properties across Wave 1 and Wave 2.1 of the SHDF programme since 2023.
  • The properties have benefited from solar PV with battery storage, new windows and doors, new loft and internal cavity insulation in addition to modern extractor fans.
  • Two of the houses have also had air source heat pumps and external wall insulation installed as part of a full retrofit programme.
  • Properties have seen significant improvement in their SAP scores as well as significant reduction in their carbon output
  • Customers have reported significant reduction in electricity costs due to presence of Solar PV and battery storage.
  • A SHDF hub was made available for customers to visit and see the new sustainability technology in place and see how the Solar PV phone app will allow them to monitor their electrical usage and costs.
  • We’ve combined these works with other capital programmes (e.g. new roofing) to minimise costs and customer disruption.
  • We’re planning to do a further 300 properties under SHDF Wave 3. This programme will run from 2025-2028.

Useful documents

User manual

September 2024 update

Colesmead training hub FAQs

  • So far we have installed solar PV to over 720 homes. Solar PV produces free electricity for customers to use to help keep the cost of bills as low as possible.
  • We have installed wall and loft insulation to all homes where the construction type allows. The insulation helps to keep homes warmer for longer, so less heating is needed.
  • We have installed a ground source heat pump to 12 flats in Epsom. This system replaced the old inefficient storage heaters and is designed to take heat from the ground to heat the water which provides the heating and hot water. This renewable form of heating lowers heating and hot water bills considerably.
  • We have installed air source heat pumps in properties in Haywards Heath, Horley and Merstham. The systems takes air from the outside and warms it through a heat exchanger, which then transfers heat to the water which provides the heating and hot water.
  • We have installed the Solshare communal Solar PV system at a 28-apartment scheme in Ewell. This has allowed us to give multiple customers the benefit of solar but without the (traditional) requirement of their own specific solar panel feed and invertor.
  • We have installed twelve electric vehicle chargers to assisting charging the twelve new electric vans that some of our staff now use. Look out for them in your area and give them a wave if you see them. We’re also installing EV charging points at all our new build sites.
  • We have installed swift boxes in Banstead to help encourage nesting of these amazing birds. We have also installed a Peregrine Falcon box at the top of our tallest block, The Dome in Redhill. We have also re-wilded some of our green spaces in Redhill/Reigate. By adding wildflowers and plants it will encourage the biodiversity of the local area. You can read our annual Swift Report 2024 here.
  • Our net zero carbon programme will continue into 2025 and beyond, targeting our worst performing homes first. These works are expensive, so we are taking a measured approach to expand the programme in future years when the cost of these works decreases.
  • New technology is coming to market each year so what we are installing now may change over time. We want to ensure we pick the right products which balance costs, sustainability and carbon reduction for both our customers and us.
  • We’re aiming for our van fleet to be 50% hybrid or fully electric by the end of 2028, and we will be installing further EV chargers in various locations locally.
  • We will continue to build new developments to net zero whenever possible
  • Our carbon footprint will continue to be monitored and reported annually. You can read our Raven Housing Trust Carbon Footprint Report 2023-24 here.
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