A PROJECT has been launched to create more energy efficient homes in Hampshire.

WinACC's newest project will create 'SuperHomes' in the county by turning 50 or more existing homes into show homes that have had retrofits. The retrofit reduces the home’s carbon emissions - the greenhouse gases that pollute the atmosphere and contribute to climate change - and create healthier, more comfortable homes that cost less to heat.

The homes will be assessed against the newly developed SuperHomes Rating Scheme and given SuperHomes status at the end of their evaluation. A further 250 homes will be assessed and supported in starting home retrofit improvements.

The SuperHomes Team will share knowledge and expertise to exploit opportunities to create more energy efficient properties. The funding allows us to support residents on their SuperHomes journey through the retrofit process, and to build the local supply chain by training retrofit professionals and installers. There will be some subsidies for homeowners on low incomes, too.

Winchester Area SuperHomes and Petersfield Area SuperHomes aims to showcase the large-scale transformation that homes need to undergo to help on the path to net zero by 2050. Research will also be undertaken to investigate the effect of the improvements on property values.

Funding for the project has from the Energy Redress Scheme, and partners Petersfield Climate Action Network (PeCAN) and the National Energy Foundation (NEF)

Chris Holloway, chair of WinACC, said: “The energy people use in their homes for heating, hot water accounts for over a quarter of Winchester's greenhouse gas emissions. So making homes more energy efficient is one of the most important steps people can take to tackle climate change. We’re delighted to be working with NEF and PeCAN on one of our priorities to support local residents to tread more lightly on the planet.”

NEF’s refurbishment lead and project manager Paul Ciniglio said: “These retrofitted homes will lead the way locally in demonstrating how existing homes can be made more sustainable and the host of benefits this brings to owners”.