Warm Homes Funds: Just Add AirEx
The UK government’s long-awaited, “Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3” is an ambitious effort to bolster the energy efficiency of social housing nationwide. The programme formerly known as the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund confirms the new government's commitment to elevating the quality and sustainability of the country’s social housing stock. It consciously builds on the work done by providers and the supply chain in previous schemes. We await the Autumn Statement for the funding level, but the announcement is a welcome recognition of the work already done and presents a plan for the future.
Of course, in anticipation of Wave 3 social housing providers and project teams have been doing a lot of preparation and planning, and hopefully, for many of you the application process is a matter of dotting i’s and crossing t’s - well one can but hope! To help with that “polish”, or deeper writing, Here we outline our thoughts on the aims and delivery of the programme and how we think we can contribute to a greener, more efficient future for communities and support you in the success of your projects.
Aiming for Efficiency and AffordabilitY
Much like its predecessor, the Warm Homes Fund is designed to aid registered social landlords, local authorities, and charities in upgrading the energy performance of their properties. The scheme not only aims to slash carbon emissions and energy costs for tenants but also supports the UK’s broader net-zero ambitions. With funding available until March 2028, there is ample opportunity for organisations to plan and execute substantial improvements, from enhanced insulation to the integration of renewable energy technologies. Floorvent can offer efficiency, sustainability and affordability. Floorvent is one of the most cost-effective ways to raise a property's EPC, making it viable for landlords to improve the comfort of their residents and reduce fuel bills by up to 12%, all while making their funding reach more homes for less.
With low-cost and quick installations, adding Floorvent to all properties with suspended floors is an obvious choice to increase the EPC rating of the property without complications or disruption, which is often guaranteed with other energy efficiency measures included in these projects.
Two Routes to Funding: Challenge Fund and Strategic Partnership
Wave 3 offers two distinct funding pathways. The Challenge Fund is open to all registered social landlords and eligible entities, supporting projects of varying scales. Meanwhile, the Strategic Partnership route targets larger organisations with a proven capacity for high-impact projects, encouraging ambitious proposals that could benefit up to 6,000 homes. Both options cater to different strategic needs, allowing for a tailored approach to improving housing efficiency.
What Can Be Funded?
The Fund supports a broad spectrum of energy efficiency measures, from solar PV installations to advanced insulation, draught proofing solutions such as smart air bricks and low-carbon heating solutions—excluding those reliant on fossil fuels. Applicants are encouraged to propose measures that offer significant cost savings for residents. For less cost-effective solutions, a strong case must be made to demonstrate their suitability and benefits.
AirEx provides a certified, low-risk solution for contractors that’s easy to install and scales to large projects. Floorvent is BBA Certified, complies with PAS standards, is recognised in SAP, and can offer up to 6 points per installation. Our customers have already successfully installed Floorvent on SHDF Wave 2 projects with many finding that Floorvent reduces dropout rates, keeps projects on schedule and is loved by residents.
A Flexible, Phased Approach
A new phased approach has been introduced for the Challenge Fund, allowing applicants to break down their projects into manageable segments. This flexibility is designed to accommodate complex, large-scale initiatives. In contrast, the Strategic Fund focuses on comprehensive, large-scale projects that leverage innovation and economies of scale. Floorvent is eligible for both funding pools and fits well with both strategies. Due to AirEx being a quick and low-cost measure to install, it can be scaled very easily for larger projects, or installed as needed as part of regular property maintenance or smaller retrofit projects.
AirEx Floorvent: A Low-Cost, Fully Eligible Measure
Floorvent is a noteworthy technology that is fully eligible for funding and offers 2-5 SAP points per install, making it one of the most economical ways to increase a property’s EPC rating. Floorvent is a smart draught-proofing system for homes with suspended timber floors that adjusts airflow based on temperature and humidity. This cost-effective solution can significantly enhance the energy efficiency of social housing, particularly where traditional insulation methods are less effective. Floorvent takes about an hour to install, with the majority of work happening outside of the home, meaning residents experience minimal disturbance and can benefit from improved comfort immediately.
It is an ideal fit for Wave 3 projects that are looking to prioritize comfort and impact affordably. Including AirEx in your bid provides a fast, simple, and cost-effective solution for treating suspended floors in the properties covered by this project.
One of the key reasons our customers choose AirEx Floorvent is the reaction of residents. Unlike other, more intrusive energy efficiency measures Floorvent installation causes virtually no disruption to residents. With most of the work taking place outside of the house, the team only need to pop inside the property for about 10 minutes to finish configuring the smart air bricks.
This work takes about an hour, without interfering with the resident's day too much. Our system is fit and forget, meaning the resident does not have to do anything to control the bricks. All they need to do is keep the home hub plugged in and ready to go.
Taking the First Steps
For social housing providers looking to take advantage of Wave 3, the first step is to assess housing stock and identify priority areas for improvement. A clear, phased plan that aligns with the programme's criteria will be crucial to securing funding. This is a significant opportunity to make a real difference for tenants and contribute to a sustainable future.
