Oaklee Housing / What Is Oaklee Doing?
What Oaklee have been doing
Oaklee Homes Group have embarked on a number of energy related initiatives in recent years. Such initiatives are a significant investment by Oaklee to help the housing sector's commitment to combat climate change and to further our commitment to reducing fuel poverty for our tenants.
Appointment of an Energy Officer (2008)
In 2008 Oaklee became the first Housing Association in Northern Ireland to appoint an Energy Officer. This role has played a critical part in adopting and achieving the initiatives that follow.
A Five Year Energy and Sustainable Development Strategy 2009/10 - 2013/14
In 2009, Oaklee put in place a five year strategy to address sustainable issues throughout the organisation. This strategy outlined the existing situation and the reasons for implementing numerous initiatives. Crucially the strategy sets targets across twelve different areas for each of the five years, which include "Education, Communication and Training", "Waste Management", "Energy Conservation", "Housing Stock Characteristics" and "Transport" etc.
Energy Targets Set
As part of the above strategy Oaklee now have targets on reducing energy consumption across schemes and our Head Office. Over the duration of the strategy we hope to achieve a 15% reduction in energy consumption at our schemes and 20% at our Head Office.
Energy Performance Certificates
To date Oaklee Homes Group have carried out over 1000 certificates with an average "C" rating for energy efficiency on Oaklee properties for rent.
Oaklee Energy week 2010
In April 2010, Oaklee was the first Housing Association in Northern Ireland to hold a full energy week for our own staff and those working in the wider social housing industry and beyond. During the week we had a number of external speakers give seminars on topics such as Educating our tenants, renewable technologies, efficient driving, air tightness and insulation etc.
Oaklee Cycle to Work Scheme
At our energy week Oaklee were pleased to be able to launch our participation in the cycle to work scheme, with a number of staff members signing up and purchasing a bike.
Tenant Education and Support
Oaklee were the first Housing Association in Northern Ireland to work with the Energy Saving Trust in a very focused way, to develop an energy saving booklet specifically for our tenants. This covers information on energy, waste and recycling, driving efficiently and purchasing.
We have also designed and distributed Oaklee thermometers which allow tenants to see the temperature of their properties so they can respond to this be adjusting the temperature accordingly.
Code 5 at Carryduff
In 2009, Oaklee were successful in a competition to partner with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on a new development planned for Carryduff. The development in Carryduff will be one of the first in Northern Ireland to achieve code level 5, and also one of the largest developments in the UK to have achieved this standard.
Passive House Standard
Oaklee are now involved in one of the first developments in Northern Ireland expected to achieve Passive House Certification. The site in Dungannon will, once complete, provide an extremely comfortable and healthy environment to the occupants, whilst crucially having very low energy bills.
The Green Dragon Standard
Oaklee are currently undertaking Level 2 of The Green Dragon Environmental Standard, which focuses on continual environmental improvement, compliance with environmental legislation, pollution prevention and communication of environmental issues.
If you would like any further information on Oaklee Homes Group's energy initiatives please contact Oaklee Homes Group on 0845 073 0005.
