PyTerra awarded £45,000 grant for Bristol housing retrofit initiative
Bristol-based company PyTerra has been awarded a £45,730 grant as part of a £114,000 R&D project which aims to accelerate the roll-out of residential retrofitting to help hit net zero targets.
Beginning in March 2023 and finishing at the end of May, the new project will research, develop and trial a unique prototype software application to help private landlords in Bristol with the collective purchasing of retrofit services.
It is anticipated that the Government will require all new tenancies to have an EPC rating of C by 2025, with all rented properties falling in line by 2028.
The new application will aim to save time and money on these complex housing modifications aimed at making properties both energy and carbon efficient, while addressing the challenges of limited capacity and skills within the retrofit construction industry.
A 20-strong team across the South West has been assembled to support PyTerra on the project, including those from Rocketmakers, Carnsight Communications, Beautiful Insights, Dtime, Geospatial Insight, Quidos, and interns from the University of Bath and the University of Bristol.
Grant funding has come from the European Regional Development Fund, which is managed by the West of England Combined Authority. The Bristol housing retrofit initiative also benefits from funding from the University of Bristol for intern support.
David Arscott, founder and CEO at PyTerra, said: “This project is the culmination of months of intensive research we’ve undertaken to best tackle retrofitting and decarbonisation. We are so pleased to be awarded this grant so that we can accelerate our business development. We aim to give private landlords and letting agents visibility of the types of changes needed to ensure properties continue to act as sound investments while maintaining compliance, improving conditions for tenants, and contributing to net zero. Our innovative approach delivers all this through high performing buying groups.”
Jerry Turner, chief commercial officer at PyTerra, added: “Feedback in the marketplace so far has been incredibly positive and we look forward to launching the prototype and saving landlords money and time in making these really important changes. We’ve assembled a brilliant team of specialists from the South West and beyond, alongside some very talented interns, to help us.”
