Janet Offord, who lives in Atlee Crescent, welcomed Cllr Emma Bushell, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Climate and the Environment, along with housing officers to view the work recently completed on her property.
She said her home now feels “completely different” and her energy usage has dropped by around half since the refurbishment.
Her property received one of the most extensive upgrades in the current scheme, which aims to cut emissions, improve living conditions and reduce household bills.
Janet praised the contractors and council staff involved in the project. Upgrades included full external wall insulation, triple-glazed windows, new front and back doors, a new kitchen, a roof replacement, guttering improvements and solar panels.
“The heating used to be on all the time because this house was so cold,” she said. “Now I can turn it off for days and it still stays warm. The difference with the insulation and the solar panels is incredible.”
She told officers her energy bills have fallen by around half. A neighbour receiving similar work reported a comparable reduction, from approximately £35 a week to £17.50.
Council officers explained that the average saving seen across comparable projects is about 20 percent, but not all homes receive the same combination of measures.
Every property is surveyed before work begins. Officers assess factors such as insulation, window condition, ventilation, roof suitability and whether solar panels can be installed. The exact upgrade package differs depending on the estate, the age and condition of the property and the funding available.
The works are delivered by a mix of local and regional contractors alongside council teams. Housing officers visited Janet regularly throughout the project to ensure she was supported and that the work progressed safely.
Cllr Emma Bushell, said the programme is delivering practical benefits for residents.
“It makes a real and tangible difference to people’s lives, especially when energy bills remain high. At the same time, it reduces emissions and helps us meet our climate commitments,” she said.
“Our long-term ambition is that council homes are places people actively want to live in: modern, energy-efficient and comfortable.”
Swindon Borough Council manages more than 10,000 homes. Its decarbonisation framework brings all retrofit and climate-related projects into a single approach so the council can take advantage of government or grant funding quickly.
Alongside home upgrades, wider environmental work includes tree planting, expanded walking and cycling routes, LED streetlighting, support for private solar-panel installations and planned changes to fuel use in the council fleet, subject to budget approval.
Janet said she is grateful for the improvements and the support she has received.
“I’ve always been proud of my home,” she said. “The council has always helped me when I needed it, and now everything is done it feels lovely in here.”
