A total of 69 properties in Kilwinning will benefit from the £4.5 million programme of energy-efficiency improvements, as Union Technical and Riverside Scotland get ready to start work on homes in Pennyburn. 

The eight-month project will see the households upgraded with measures such as reroofing, in-roof solar PV, battery storage, new windows and doors, cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation and ventilation upgrades.  

The upgrades will make homes warmer and more energy efficient.

The programme comes after the delivery of an initial retrofit project across 30 properties and a feasibility study spearheaded by Union Technical, which helped Riverside Scotland secure funding through the Scottish Housing Net Zero Fund.  

Residents will be able to stay in their homes while the work is being delivered.

Chris Cogan, construction director at Union Technical, said: “Social landlords across Scotland face the challenge of improving older homes, tackling fuel poverty and meeting modern energy standards, often with limited budgets. 

“A whole-house approach allows us to address these challenges together, delivering long-term improvements rather than short-term fixes.”

Cogan added: “By working with landlords from the initial feasibility stage through to delivery, we can identify the best solutions for their housing stock and help secure the funding needed to make them happen. 

“Ultimately, it’s about making homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable and energy efficient, while minimising disruption for tenants and creating lasting benefits for the wider community.” 

The initial phase of the retrofit project at Pennyburn won Large Scale Project of the Year at this year’s Scotland Energy Efficiency Awards. 

It is also shortlisted in a number of categories at the Chartered Institute of Housing awards, being held in November. 

Heather Duff, head of asset and sustainability at Riverside Scotland, said: “The success of the first phase at Pennyburn has demonstrated what can be achieved for our homes and our customers when we take a strategic, whole-house approach to investment. 

“For Riverside Scotland, this is not simply about delivering individual energy efficiency measures.”

Duff added: “It is about investing in our homes in a way that improves their quality and performance, makes them warmer and more comfortable for customers, and ensures they are more sustainable for the future. 

“This next phase builds on those strong foundations, extending the benefits to a further 69 homes and allowing us to make a much greater impact across the Pennyburn community.”

Established in 2015 by Owen Coyle and Michael Sweeney, Union Technical specialises in energy services – providing housing associations, tenants, and private homeowners with retrofitting measures.