Malus Court is cold. Inside the Salford Precinct apartment block residents are wrapped, up and there's an air of malaise.
It’s around a year since the Manchester Evening News was last here. In early 2022, bills were very much on people's mind.
That wasn’t down to surging utilities prices, though. Residents put their sky-high energy bills down to the NIBE heating system - which relies on insulation from cladding that currently doesn't exist, and costs them a lot even when the heating isn't on.
Malus Court is among nine blocks in Pendleton that are waiting for insulation work to be completed, years after cladding was removed in the aftermath of the Grenfell fire disaster in London.
Now, the surge in energy prices means residents of towers in Pendleton, some of Salford's poorest residents, have been hit by a triple-whammy of increased utilities costs, a ‘confusing’ heating system, and a lack of insulation.
‘Last month it was £340 for the heating’
“We have been living in crisis for three years, and we have added the cost of living crisis on top of that,” said one resident from another of the affected blocks, Thorn Court, who asked not to named.
“These walls are breeze blocks and brick with a cavity wall inside it. We’re now living in a situation where the air is coming in absolutely everywhere.
“You can never get this place warm. The machine is chasing itself. I had it on at the weekend when it was cold. It cost me £1 per hour.
“For four years I have not lived in this living room. I go into the bedroom at 6pm because it’s vaguely warm.”
A short walk away is Eddie Farrell, 61. He spoke to the Evening News last year, too.
“With the NIBE it’s costing me £80 or £90 per week — without heating,” he said. “We did a one month trial of having the heating on [as well] and it was £340 for the heating. If other people have it on all the time, how do they cope?”
Eddie’s flat is cold and dark, to save energy. He’s blocked up his ventilation hole to stop fresh air coming in.
It’s a similar picture in another flat in the Precinct. The woman living there, who has asked not to be named, has also put foil behind the radiators to keep heat in.
“Last month my energy was £244,” she explained. “They gave us the £100 off, but off a £244 bill — that’s still £144. The money goes straight on the electricity.”
The M.E.N asked her what Christmas was like for her.
“It was s***,” she candidly replied. “We cannot invite anyone in. It’s pretty bad.”
Now, day-to-day survival is foremost in her mind. She continued: “I was in Aldi and I got bacon, it was £1.19, now it’s £1.39. That’s 20p since November.
“I don’t use that cooker. I have to go to my mum’s, I bought myself an air fryer because it’s apparently cheaper to run, but who knows? I cannot check my meter. My oven is new, brand spanking new.”
“Nothing’s changed”
Eddie feels like the situation has deteriorated in the last year.
“Nothing’s changed [since the last MEN visit],” he said. “It’s got a little bit worse in that nothing’s been done. We just want a place that we can call home. We don’t want a s***thole.”
The NIBE system uses vents to the exterior of the building to draw fresh air in, which is then warmed up and circulated.
It’s a system that was initially developed in Scandinavia, and has been used by other local authorities in England.
In this instance, however, the removal of the cladding from the Salford City Council-owned flats means that there is less residual heat retained than the system is designed for.
Once the temperature of the air being drawn into the property falls below 16C, the system switches into ‘electric-only mode’ - which residents describe as like having an immersion heater running constantly.
At the same time, the lack of cladding leaves building naked to the elements — so heat cannot be retained. It means sky-high bills for residents, who are now contending with a cost-of-living crisis as well.
Last year, deputy mayor Coun John Merry said ‘the council [is] working as hard and fast as we can with the resources we have available’ to resolve the issues, but had been slowed by ‘structural issues’ alongside ‘international supply-chain shortages and national labour shortages’.
The building is managed by housing association Pendleton Together, who pointed to the cash support they have provided residents with while the blocks remain un-clad.
What the landlord says...
The MEN put residents’ concerns about high energy bills, and issues with the NIBE, to Pendleton Together, and Julie Blagden, its Senior Operations Manager, replied.
“PTOL (Pendleton Together Operating Limited) with Pendleton Together have committed to continue to assist residents with energy support payments whilst blocks remain un-clad. If residents are concerned about their bills they should contact us at once rather than blocking vents or similar actions that should not be carried out without advice,” she said in a statement.
“Support payments commenced in the winter of 2018/19 offering £20 per month for the four winter months. The support offered is reviewed on an annual basis utilising data available for thermal efficiency, tracking the domestic price cap etc.
“This cost has increased over the years to £30 per winter month in 2021/22 and has increased substantially for 22/23 to £50 per winter month to reflect the unprecedented high energy costs. In addition to the winter support payments, Pendleton Together has committed to work with residents to review their bills, where residents feel they have been more adversely impacted and additional bespoke support payments have been made where appropriate.
“Residents can also access videos on our website or free face-to-face support in how to use their heating systems effectively. Irrespective of the works, we know that all our residents are feeling the impact of the rise in the cost of living.
“We are committed to ensuring our residents are supported through this difficult time and have appointed specific staff to help address these issues including one to work with residents on a 1:2:1 basis.
“In May 2022 the City Mayor approved a Hardship Fund for Pendleton residents of £216k for 2022/23. Pendleton Together are the first point of contact for referrals to this fund and have already supported 98 residents. Additionally, we have supported 105 local residents through the energy redress scheme and 158 residents by paying their membership to Manchester Mission’s Community Food Fayre.
“Residents can attend the weekly shops in our community room or St Thomas’ Church and receive around £15 worth of grocery shopping for £3.
"NIBE systems have been designed to be both energy efficient and sustainable, with minimal impact on the environment. We are aware that this efficiency is reduced by the lack of cladding and insulation. The payments above mitigate the resident for any difference in energy consumption.”
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