How low can you go? Low carbon that is.

It’s pretty crazy to think that one home will have to be retrofitted every minute to meet 2050 standards for low carbon living. That’s 11,000 household per week - a ticking clock on housing stock. But we’re not just blogging to sink you with stats. We’re here because help is at hand… in the form of our new free guide for housing providers.

Created by Ian Hembrow, our housing and engagement expert, the guide gives top tips on how to engage with your tenants on low carbon living. And whilst we’re at it, here’s some TBG tips for us all:

1. Home is where the heat is.
Just a few energy efficient measures in the home, could save the average household two hundred pounds a year. And if every home in the UK swapped their gas central heating for a condensing boiler, we could save enough energy to power four million homes for a year – well that’s the West Midlands taken care of.

2. Keep your lights beaming bright with energy efficient light bulbs.
Not only do they last around ten times as long as a standard light bulb but if every UK household swapped just three of their normal bulbs for energy efficient ones, we would save enough energy to keep the UK’s street lights shining for a whole year. Be a bright spark and don’t let the lights go out...

3. Feel the freeze.
If everyone upgraded their fridge and freezer older appliances to A-rated energy efficient products then energy wastage would be cut by over two thirds – a chilling combined saving of one billion pounds on bills.

Pretty impressive stats - but we only reap the benefits if we all get involved. So back to the guide for ideas on how to get your tenants on board…

Equality duty deadline 31July 2011

Equality duty deadline 31July 2011

Summer’s on its way, but along with the beaches and barbeques comes a big day for housing providers...

The latest part of the Equalities Act came into force in April, and registered housing providers have until the end of July to publish statements to show they meet the new equality duty. Like towels on sun-loungers and windbreaks on beaches, plans need to be put in place to make sure you're sitting pretty. So here's a reminder from TBG: don't get burnt this summer - get working on your equality duty statement now.

Need help? Contact Ian Hembrow on 01865 861664 or i.hembrow@bridge-group.co.uk.