Families in Runcorn are taking part in a study to help measure the efficiency of new heating insulation systems, in a bid to combat fuel poverty in the UK.

Housing association, Riverside, has been successful in bidding for £227,500 from National Energy Action’s (NEA) Technical Innovation Fund, to compare new insulation systems in 35 homes in the Glen in Runcorn.

The project will assess the most cost effective and efficient ways of keeping homes warmer for longer. The properties, which are made from concrete, are difficult to insulate because they can be more likely to leak warm air. Using four different insulation systems, the project aims to assess the best and most cost effective ways to keep homes warmer and people healthier.

Rhoda Wilkinson, Riverside’s Strategic Affordable Warmth Officer, said: “We are working with tenants over the next 12 months to help them use their systems efficiently. But this isn’t just a technical project. We will be recording health and wellbeing improvements too, in order to inform future insulation solutions for similar properties.”

The project will assess the most cost effective and efficient ways of keeping homes warmer for longer.

The project places residents at the heart of the new technology, with full support to help them understand how it works and how it can reduce energy costs.

Rhoda added: “Tenants are happy to work with us to monitor their new insulation systems. They should be more efficient, both in terms of cost and in saving energy, than the current systems. The aim is to find out which combinations and methods work best. Our affordable warmth officers will be supporting people to make sure they know how to operate their heating to ensure warmer homes and fewer illnesses relating to cold and damp, as well as lower energy bills.”

Installation of the systems was recently completed and monitoring will take place until March 2017. The final report will be completed by June 2017.