Plans for more energy efficiency measures for council and private homes
440 council tenants in York could benefit from newly-installed energy efficiency measures over the coming two years, with 73 homes already benefitting from improvements. These measures will reduce residents’ energy bills, make their home warmer, and reduce carbon emissions.
Future plans to retrofit energy efficiency measures will include solar panels, low carbon heating systems and improved insulation. The council’s plans for introducing further energy efficiency measures in the future is set out in a new Retrofit Action Plan which is open to consultation.
This financial year, 73 council homes have already been improved. Energy-generating solar panels have been fitted to 45 council homes in Bishopthorpe, Heworth and Tang Hall after levels of loft insulation were topped up and roof improvements carried out. The panels generate free electricity for tenants and the insulation ensure their homes stay warmer for longer. These are in addition to over 500 council homes which are already benefitting from photovoltaic panels and the free electricity they generate. The council is also fitting a range of energy efficiency measures to 28 council homes in Acomb and Tang Hall. These works are being supported by grant funding from Government alongside the council’s own investment.
Work to a further 367 homes is being proposed for the next two years. This is subject to a successful application for £1m Government funding, to be matched by £1m from the council’s retrofit budget. This work would aim to improve EPC ratings to at least C standard. A further £60,000 is being proposed to carry out draught proofing and other simple insulation work in the homes of around 250 of our most vulnerable council tenants this winter.
To help boost energy efficiency, reduce energy costs for even more residents and to further reduce carbon emissions in line with the council’s Climate Change Strategy, a Retrofit Action Plan has been drafted. It aims to reduce emissions and energy bills across all tenures and will be considered by Executive later this year. Businesses, organisations and residents, whether homeowners or tenants from the social or private sector, are being invited to comment on the plan.
Cllr Denise Craghill, Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods, said: “We are committed to accelerating retrofit works to improve the quality of our housing while reducing emissions and energy bills in York: they’re good for residents and good for the planet.
“To support our work to install energy efficiencies in homes across York, please comment on the proposed Retrofit Action Plan. We’d also be interested to hear about your experiences with installing or running home energy improvements. Please take part at www.york.gov.uk/Consultations before 5pm on 31 October 2022.”
Anyone who can’t get online and wants to complete the survey on the Retrofit Action Plan, please email betterhomes@york.gov.uk or request a paper copy by writing to Retrofit Action Plan Consultation, Housing Strategy, City of York Council, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA.
The full report on the proposed Retrofit Programme of energy efficiency improvements can be seen at: Agenda for Decision Session – Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods on Thursday, 20 October 2022, 10.00 am (york.gov.uk)
