Today is Earth Day – a day to think about how we can look after our planet and make positive changes for the future. At STAR Housing, one of the main ways we do this is by improving the homes we manage so they use less energy and have a lower impact on the environment.
Homes make up a large part of everyday energy use. By making our homes more energy‑efficient, we can help reduce carbon emissions while supporting healthier places for people to live.
Creating healthier homes
We are continuing to improve how well our homes hold and manage heat so they work better all year round. This helps reduce common issues such as damp, mould, cold homes and overheating, supporting healthier living conditions and greater comfort for customers.
Making progress towards national targets
The Government has set a target for all social homes to reach an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above by 2030.
We are making steady progress towards this. Between 2025 and 2026, we increased the number of STAR homes rated EPC C from 54% to 70%, helping improve the long‑term sustainability of our homes.
What we’re doing to improve our homes
Our approach focuses on practical improvements that reduce energy use and carbon impact, including:
- Installing insulation to help keep warmth inside homes
- Adding triple glazing
- Carrying out regular inspections and keeping good information about the condition of our homes
- Using government funding to help us go further and faster
- Tackling the underlying causes of damp, mould and temperature issues
Helping homes cost less to run
As well as being better for the environment, these improvements help homes stay warmer and more comfortable, making them cheaper to heat.
During 2025 and 2026, we secured £1.9 million of ECO4 funding, which allowed us to install 191 solar panels across 92 bungalows, 39 flats and 60 houses. These generate renewable electricity and help reduce energy costs throughout the year.
Looking ahead
This Earth Day, we remain committed to playing our part in protecting the environment while improving everyday life for our customers. We will continue investing in our homes so they are warmer, healthier and more energy‑efficient – now and in the future.
