Wates has secured a contract to retrofit 410 homes for housing association Orbit over the next two years, marking a major step in decarbonising Orbit’s housing stock. This partnership aims to enhance energy efficiency across the properties and forms part of a long-term strategy to meet government sustainability targets.

This project will add to Wates Property Services’ extensive portfolio of social housing retrofit projects, having already delivered PAS2035-compliant energy efficiency improvements to over 2,000 properties across the UK through a combination of government and self-funded programmes.

The latest contract includes upgrades to 160 homes through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund’s Wave 2.1, with the remaining 250 homes supported by Orbit and the Government’s ECO4 programme. Improvements will involve a variety of building fabric enhancements such as external, internal, cavity wall, and loft insulation, along with the replacement of roofs, windows, and doors.

Additionally, Wates and Orbit will explore digital and renewable energy solutions, including smart thermostats, ventilation upgrades, air and ground source heat pumps, night storage heating systems, and photovoltaic panels.

The project is expected to be completed by September 2025, with an option to extend the contract for another four years. This effort is part of Orbit’s ongoing Decarbonisation Retrofit strategy, aligning with the UK Government’s goal for all social housing to achieve Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of C by 2030.

This initiative might be mentioned at construction networking events in Birmingham, where industry professionals could discuss the project’s impact on local housing markets. Additionally, the project’s relevance to sustainable building practices might be highlighted at property networking events in Coventry.

To register your place at the UK’s biggest real estate and property festival, visit https://www.ukreiif.com/ukreiif-2025/