How Great Places is getting greener

Across Great Places, we aim to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions generated by energy use at our offices and housing schemes by 25% over the next three years.

We'll get there through managing the power we use more wisely, making staff aware of the need to conserve energy and change their habits accordingly, and making our buildings more efficient.

We'll also do our best to help our residents save energy in their homes - all 16,000 of them. It's quite a task but we're committed to making it happen.

It's our aim to improve the energy efficiency of our homes by 20% through planned improvements and, where they are needed, major refurbishments.  We are working hard to make sure all homes have loft and cavity wall insulation. 

Over the last year we have requested over 5,000 energy performance certificates on behalf of our residents, providing them with lots of information, and allowing Great Places to better understand our homes and how they measure up in terms of the amount of energy needed to run them.

Over the last year, in partnership other companies, we have provided over 45,000 energy-efficient light bulbs and over 2000 powerdowns to residents, saving them a colossal £500,000 in reduced electricity bills every year.

If you are a Great Places resident and would like some more energy-efficient light bulbs or a powerdown please contact Sarah McClelland at sarah.mcclelland@greatplaces.org.uk or 0161 447 5000. We're also looking for volunteers to have their energy use monitored, if you would like to help with this important research.

Changing what you do at home is a great place to start being greener. Check out our top tips for being careful with energy, that'll save you money as well as helping the environment.