Project overview
Care homes are among the most energy-intensive buildings in the housing sector. Heating, lighting, hot water, and medical equipment must run almost continuously, driving up costs and carbon emissions.
Unlike other housing settings, care homes support some of the most vulnerable people in society. Residents often include older adults or those with medical conditions, who depend on a stable, warm, and comfortable environment to stay healthy and safe.
For care providers, rising energy bills are a significant challenge. Every increase in running costs places more strain on budgets already stretched by staffing, healthcare, and support needs. But cutting corners on energy use is not an option, as the well-being of residents depends on uninterrupted heating, hot water, and power.
This care home client wanted to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, but they faced a major obstacle: their roof was suffering from damp and leaks. Carbon3 delivered a solution that combined roof remedials with a 41.5kWp solar PV system, creating both a healthier home for residents and long-term savings for the care provider.
The challenge
The care home’s priorities included addressing urgent roofing issues that risked damp, mould, and further damage, installing solar panels to reduce escalating energy costs, and an installer who could carry out all works with minimal disruption to staff and residents.
Any delays or poorly planned works could risk both the building’s integrity and the comfort of its residents. Maintaining the roofing warranty was also essential, meaning all remedial works had to be carefully coordinated with the solar installation.
Our solution
Carbon3 works in partnership with specialist roofing contractors to deliver both solar and roof remedials simultaneously. For this project, the integrated approach meant that the damp and leaks were resolved, ensuring the building fabric was protected and the roof was fit for a solar array, and that the solar installation was in line with the new roofing warranty.
This provided the client with peace of mind, as well as minimal disruption; scheduling was managed to keep noise, access restrictions, and disruption to a minimum, protecting residents’ daily routines and comfort.
The final system was a 41.5kWp solar PV array, designed to generate clean, reliable energy for decades to come.
The results
Our client benefitted from lower running costs by now saving over £200 per month on energy bills. These savings can be redirected into frontline care services, supporting residents directly rather than being lost to rising energy costs.
The residents benefitted from a healthier living environment, as the roof remedials eliminated damp and leak issues, protecting them from mould and associated health risks. This has created a safer, more comfortable home environment, which is essential for vulnerable people who may be more susceptible to respiratory or immune-related illnesses.
The client and residents should continue to benefit, as the solar array helps shield the care home from unpredictable energy price rises while reducing carbon emissions. This makes the home more sustainable both financially and environmentally.
Why it matters
For care homes, heating, lighting, and medical equipment are key to the health and well-being of residents. Rising energy costs create impossible choices for providers, forcing them to decide between paying higher bills or cutting back in other areas.
By combining roof remedials with solar PV, Carbon3 provided a comprehensive solution that tackled immediate building issues and delivered long-term energy savings. The project has improved the building’s condition, reduced operating costs, and created a safer, healthier environment for residents, without unnecessary disruption to daily life.
This project highlights how renewable energy and essential building upgrades can go hand in hand, delivering benefits not just for providers, but for the people who rely on their care every day.
Want to know more about how solar PV and roof remedials can benefit you? Contact us today.
