13/11/2023
Mould affects millions of people across the country. We're partnering with ZapCarbon to help our residents protect their homes and save energy.
As we move into winter, damp and mould are likely to become issues for people all across the country. According to the English Housing Survey, almost a million homes are affected by mould in the UK.
To help tackle this, we’ve partnered with energy efficiency company ZapCarbon on its anti-mould program called HealthyHomes.
Together, we ran a pilot program on 50 homes from April to September 2023.
We’re now continuing our HealthyHomes partnership to clean and prevent damp and mould in around 300 homes that have been identified as at-risk of developing mould this winter.
How the HealthyHomes program works:
Home assessments
HealthyHomes experts visit and assess each home for any risk of mould and damp. Humidity, temperature, and ventilation levels are checked to get an estimate of how likely mould is to appear.
Each home is given a rating of its health, and where needed, steps are put in place to make improvements that will help keep residents safe and healthy.
Support and advice
The HealthyHomes experts then share advice with residents that can help improve their home environment, including easy-to-follow guidance on how to save water, heat, and energy, as well as how to avoid the build-up of excess humidity that can lead to mould.
Mould removal and shielding
HealthyHomes staff also remove existing mould with a non-toxic, child- and pet-safe mould remover, then apply a patented Mould Shield to affected surfaces. The unique antimicrobial agent kills mould, bacteria and even COVID viruses, and forms a shield that makes it much harder for mould to resurface.
What this means for residents:
Knowledge of their home
The home assessment gives residents greater knowledge and understanding of their home, and how the winter weather can have an impact.
Greater control over the home
Knowing how to control heat and water levels will help residents to control mould and damp, as well as keeping the cost of their bills lower.
Homes stay cleaner for longer
Last, but perhaps most importantly, residents can rest easy knowing that their homes have been cleaned and protected from damp and mould, with it less likely to return in future.
One resident who was a part of the pilot study said:
‘My home looks much better, cleaner and more hygienic. I would definitely recommend others to use this service.’
Barry Waller, our Head of Repairs, says:
‘The pilot with ZapCarbon has been a great success, providing a customer-focused service that met the needs of our residents.
By continuing our partnership with ZapCarbon, we’ll be able to keep gaining better knowledge about our homes and help create a healthier environment for everyone living in them.’
Dale Holroyd, Commercial Director of ZapCarbon, says:
‘We are delighted to be partnering with Poplar HARCA to tackle damp and mould in their properties through the HealthyHomes programme. Following the success of the initial 6-month pilot, we are now all set to deliver the wider home assessment, resident education, and clean and shield programme in Poplar this winter, where our dedicated on-the-ground teams will be working hard to help improve living conditions for all residents.’
Read more about how we’re making it easier to report damp and mould, or learn how to keep your home warm and safe from mould this winter.
