First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) is set to begin a major new phase of energy efficiency upgrades this month, with a £6.1 million investment aimed at improving 645 homes across the borough.

Starting 14 July, properties in Abbey Hills, Roundthorn, Shaw, and several estates in Chadderton will receive a range of improvements under the Wave III phase of FCHO’s retrofit programme. The upgrades will include new insulation, triple-glazed windows, insulated doors, and solar panels where suitable. Residents will also be equipped with smart heating controls to help manage energy consumption more efficiently.

The programme is part of FCHO's long-term goal to ensure that all 11,500 of its properties achieve at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030.

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"Our teams will soon be moving into properties in these areas to start work on helping to save our customers money and also achieve our net zero targets," said Steve Agger, FCHO's Executive Director of Homes.

"The strategy is to carry out works over the 5 year period leading up to 2030 to ensure that all of FCHO’s 11,500 strong housing stock achieve an EPC C or better, and we will organise the work into estate based projects which mean we can deliver associated works such as new windows to those homes which are already at a C where required.

"Customers who receive the investment are going to see and feel a big difference, not only to their bills, but also their comfort and peace of mind, and we always try our best to minimise disruption."

The latest wave of work follows the successful completion of Wave II, which saw 470 homes in Failsworth, Chadderton, and Royton upgraded over a two-year period at a cost of £4.4 million.

Wave III is being funded through a combination of FCHO’s own resources and the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. In total, the housing association plans to invest £31.4 million in improving energy efficiency across its housing stock by 2030.

To keep residents informed and engaged, FCHO is hosting a series of community events. The first takes place on Wednesday 9 July at Alt Community Centre, Cherry Avenue OL8 2HS, from 3pm to 7pm, with additional sessions planned in Abbey Hills, Roundthorn, Shaw and Chadderton over the summer and early autumn.