There’s warming news for tenants as work begins on three of Nottingham’s large tower blocks to help make the flats more energy efficient, easier to heat and warmer for residents.

Part of the Greener HousiNG initiative led by Nottingham City Council in partnership with Nottingham City Homes, it aims to reduce energy use and to develop sustainable energy resources.

This major neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood scheme to provide city-wide external wall insulation for up to 18,000 homes continues in Sneinton with the refurbishment of Bentinck Court, Manvers Court and Kingston Court.

The £7.5 million package of works will help tenants of 270 flats not only save money on their fuel bills through energy efficiency but also to feel much warmer during winter months.

The work will also change the way the tower blocks look, improving Nottingham’s skyline.

The external insulation work is being carried out by Wates Living Space.

Some of the refurbishment work, likely to be completed by winter 2015, includes:

· adding the flats on to Nottingham’s district heating system

· putting up external insulation to the blocks

· installing A-rated windows and doors

· creating enclosed balconies

· replacing the existing flat roof

· putting in a new plant and power room

· environmental improvements to the grounds around the tower blocks.

Councillor Alan Clark, Portfolio Holder for Energy and Sustainability said: “Nottingham is working hard to make sure through its energy initiatives that as many homes as possible are energy efficient so that city residents can become more fuel efficient and reduce those fuel bills. There are many successes such as the Greener HousiNG scheme where funding secured by the council has allowed major improvements to make homes warmer and cheaper to run.”

When the work is complete at Sneinton, the energy-saving aspects have the potential to save tenants around £500 a year on their fuel bills.

NCH Chief Executive Nick Murphy said: “We have listened to the tenants of the Sneinton blocks who said their flats were expensive to heat; we have worked with our tenants to develop this scheme and we are delighted to be able to carry out this refurbishment work which will benefit all of them.

“We know from our previous work on properties that have had external insulation fitted that our tenants have seen significant reductions in their fuel bills and their health has improved as they live in a warmer home.

“In addition, the proposed work around the flats will improve the immediate environment not just for those living in the tower blocks but also near neighbours.”

Steve Jackson Managing Director for Wates Living Space, commented: “Wates has a long-standing presence in Nottingham and we are pleased to further cement this with this new contract. Our team has a wealth of experience in delivering high quality refurbishment projects and we are looking forward to using these skills to improve the homes of residents in Nottingham.”